Passion, dedication, talent and just plain hard work!
That is how this very successful business, Dance Moves, came to be. Linda Tyler, with a passion for music and dance, started choreographing dances in her basement as a very little girl and charged her parents admission to come see her shows (an entrepreneur at age 6). The youngest of 5 children, Linda always wanted to take dance lessons but skating lessons were much closer to home so her parents let her take lessons to learn how to dance on skates. Being the daughter of 2 very musical parents who met singing in the Edmonton Opera, she was surrounded by music and the fine arts all her life. "When I hear music, I see dance in my head and my whole body wants to move to express the music," says Linda. So with the belief instilled by her parents that she could do anything she set her mind to, she was determined to make her body do what she saw in her head. Studying dancers such as Michael Jackson and videotaping herself over and over until it looked like what she wanted, Linda set to work teaching herself to dance.
Linda was involved in music all her life including choirs, instrument ensembles and extensive musical training in piano, achieving her A.R.C.T. diploma at age 20. She also attained her B. Ed. and taught elementary school music incorporating movement and dance in the classroom and in Pys. Ed. for fitness through dance.
Linda knew that dancing was an amazing way to workout. She started developing Dance Moves, a program that brought the love of dance to the general public and gave them a complete body workout while they were having fun, dancing. It was very much a hobby/volunteer job to begin with as the stay at home mom taught piano and choreographed dances (with very little formal dance training) for just a handful of people to enjoy. Word got out and it grew... and grew.
Linda danced her way through 3 pregnancies still teaching 2 weeks before her 3rd child was born. When the youngest was 3 she became a single mom and the 3 kids and mom were a team that worked together to make Dance Moves work. After teaching a few years part time incorporating Dance Moves into the elementary school music and Phys. Ed. programs, Linda decided to take a leap and resign from teaching school to focus on Dance Moves.
This is how it grew...
Fall 2003 there were about 200 participants
Fall 2004 Started up Gentle Dance Moves in the senior centres
Fall 2005 there were about 350 participants
Fall 2007 there were about 650 participants
More than 300% growth in 4 years!!! Dance Moves was on a roll...
In 2004, Linda Tyler was nominated for the YWCA Woman of Distinction for Athletics, Recreation & Fitness. Many letters were written and support shown by the participants which was a great honour to this inspiring entrepreneur's accomplishments.
Dance Moves gives back to the community each Christmas with Feed the Food Bank Fundraisers at City Hall. For 13+ years participants have shared with family and friends what they love to do by dancing in the foyer of City Hall to benefit the Edmonton Food Bank, raising on average 485 kg of food and $720 per year (see more information and videos on the EVENTS page).
Financially, Dance Moves helped to build a shelter for the kids in Nigeria that are abandoned and tortured by their families and communities because they are feared to be witch kids.
For the past 11 years, Linda Tyler has put together a Dance Moves clothing line that is made available one time per year for purchase by the participants.
Presently, Dance Moves runs out of approximately 15 different locations in Edmonton, St. Albert and Sherwood Park.
There are approximately 35 classes per week, morning, afternoon, evening and weekend.
Presently there are about 600 participants, all ages (8 - 80+), all abilities, male and female. Some have been coming as long as 29 years!
Linda's view on Dance Moves as a career
"Life is good and I have the best job in the world! I get to meet a lot of incredible people and have made many, many great friends over the years. I am able to help bring joy to people's lives and see their smiles while they experience the joy of dance. I can help people reach their goals and work through physical and emotional issues. I help people become more comfortable with their bodies and gain coordination. I help people become one with the music, feeling it from the inside out. I help people live longer, be stronger and look great!! Plus, I get to stay in shape and have an outlet for my creativity. My parents told me to follow my dreams and find my happiness. Dance Moves is 30 years strong and at 52, my dream has come true and I feel great!"
Passion, dedication, talent and just plain hard work says it all! Dance Moves has stood the test of time for 30+ years!
Frequently Asked Questions
I have no dance background, will I be able to keep up in this class?
Dance Moves is designed for those who love to dance and would like to keep fit. No dance background is necessary, absolute beginners are welcomed. We teach the steps like a dance class without the music. We start the session very simplified with more repetition so new people can learn the dances and keep up. Past participants and experienced dancers don't mind it simpler to begin with because they can get a good workout. They know that over the session the dances progress to being nice enough to perform even though we don't perform. The instructors are also willing to give some extra help for a few minutes before or after the class if you are having difficulty with a step. It has been proven in Dance Moves classes that you can learn coordination and rhythm. So YES, everyone can do these classes!
What should I wear to class?
Wear comfortable, cool fitness clothing with indoor non-marking runners.
What should I bring?
Bring a mat (yoga mat is fine) and a water bottle. You can also bring hand held weights starting about the 2nd week of class. If you tend to sweat a lot you might want to bring a small towel to the class.
Dance Moves Trivia
Linda has choreographed 700+ routines over the past 30 years.
Michael Jackson is the most used artist for the songs.
A "Step Touch" has been the most used dance step in the past 30 years.
Dance Moves has offered over one hundred 7 - 10 week sessions over the past 30 years.
Linda has done a wopping 240,000 abdominal crunches in 30 years of teaching Dance Moves classes! She has abs of STEEL!!!
Endorsements
I started Dance Moves one year ago and it has helped me lose 20 pounds. I may have more weight to lose but it has been a great start. Thank you to all the wonderful instructors and great friends that make it so much fun.
Kim Gray Creighton
I started going to Dance Moves 16 years ago and it is the best aerobic workout one can have. It is a total body workout, from core to pilates to aerobics. The instructors are awesome, I have so much fun in class and have made new friends among the participants. Dance Moves Rocks!
Miriam Cooper
Well, I'm not a gym workout type, but I really need some exercise. I found Dance Moves 10 years ago and it's the dance movement that keeps me going. Way to go Linda!
Teresa Mui
This is my first session of Dance Moves. I found out about it from a fax that came into my office. I absolutely love the class, it's fun, positive and a great work out!! I've also made some great friends :-)
Trisha Vergo
I am 67 and have been doing a variety of aerobics for 37 years. Dance Moves is the perfect workout as the classes improve core strength, cardio and muscles. Nothing I have experienced compares. The classes are fun, great choreography, and participants get a great workout. I love Dance Moves!
Bethel Barr (8 yr participant)
I am just soooooooo excited about the dances this session! I love the music and I love the variety of dances we get to do. Im very excited to bust a move to Release again (I loved that song and dance) and also some of the new dances like Alejandro (very sexy) and Hey Soul Sister (very fun!). Plus, Eyes Like Yours is one my all-time Dance Moves favorites so Im thrilled to dance to it this session! Thank you so very much Linda for your amazing program and for sharing your love of dance and fitness with all of us! Thanks so much for everything you really are an inspiration I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to be part of the Dance Moves team! Jenny Samm (Instructor 12 years)
I wish I would have known about Dance Moves years before I joined! Ive been a happy participant for 4 years now and just love it!
Holly Hebert Beck
Wonderful program! Ive been enjoying it for many years. Great instructors and flexible class times and locations. A lot of fun!
Valerie Leigh
Great way to keep the brain and body active.
Chris Bowie
