2023 Dancing Stars of Atlanta

Hi to all and Happy 2023! So much has happened since I originally posted my personal page. The event is sold out! 100 percent! Even though there are no more tickets to attend, please please consider donating to such a worthy cause! In fact, with your generosity, I achieved my original goal of 50k. So I have pushed it even higher and my new goal is 75K! Your support means so much to me and to help me to get to that number, I will be hosting a few events to help raise funds in addition to an outright donation. And to those new to my page, please read my story below as how I got to be one of this year’s dancers:

I am familiar to most people as a professional stylist, wardrobe and visual brand consultant, entrepreneur, mom, wife and founder of Style Design. What may come as a surprise is that I am also a classically trained dancer. I danced for five years with the Joffrey Ballet Scholarship Program in New York City and professionally with the Berkshire Ballet. At 20, I exchanged my pointe shoes for a business degree and a job with Chanel. The rest is history. 

Participating in the Alzheimer’s Association’s Dancing with the Atlanta Stars will be my first-time dancing on stage in almost 40 years. Returning to the stage at age 58 has been a personal journey I never anticipated. The stage is a vulnerable place to be. To be honest, I am both terrified and excited. I am harnessing the courage of those affected by Alzheimer’s -- those living with the disease and those taken by it -- to meet this challenge. This includes my assistant, Natalie her twin Lindsay’s mother, Julie, whom I have known for over 15 years and living with Alzheimer’s. With that said, my vow is to give this my all with my pro-dancer and partner in crime, Vincent! I promise to dance my heart out to raise the much-needed funds and the awareness that Alzheimer’s touches us all.

I am dancing for:

Julie Neal

Pam Lavino

Laurie Simms

My stepdaughter, Hannah, who is getting her Ph.D. and working in Alzheimer’s

research

Helen “Yaya” Nikolas

And for those that have left us, I honor:

Hank ten Broeke

Edith Beers

Charlie Shafer

D’Anne Heckert’s father, Doug Heckert

Pat Baptiste James

Jean Loflin

Ross Johnson

Phil Zanone

Thalia Assaf

Ed Ruus

Jim Dillion

I am especially grateful for my husband, Simon; my amazing children, Katie and Teddy; and three amazing stepchildren, Hannah, Thomas, and Benjamin, for their unlimited love and support. Fun fact about my blended family; my stepsons are incredibly talented ballet dancers with Atlanta Ballet and San Francisco ballet! No pressure there!!

I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your emotional and financial support through my dance journey as I share my experience with you over the following months. It will be a challenge, and I am ready for it! 

I look forward to seeing you on the dance floor on May 6th!