OLLI students perform group circle and couple dances that they recently learned at the weekly dance classes. Some of the dancers also attend dance sessions at the Gild Hall in Arden, and in Newark at the George Wilson Community Center. These folk dances are typically seen in community folk dance sessions in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delray, Florida and Arden, Delaware.

Ilana was immersed in dance by her parents, who brought her to folk and square dance sessions as a toddler. She attended the teen classes at Folk Dance House in New York City, that was owned by Michael and Mary Ann Herman. She worked as a demonstrator of dances at the 92nd St. YMHA and began teaching dance in camps and community centers since 1970. Ilana was introduced to her husband Martin by a fellow folk dancer, at the time when Ilana was enrolled in school to become an occupational therapist. While she worked as a therapist, she and her husband raised 3 sons in Syosset, Long Island. Five years ago, Ilana & Martin left New York and relocated to Wilmington as recommended by Martin’s Wilmington cousin Bob Weiner. Ilana enrolled in courses at OLLI but had to start teaching dance by Zoom during the COVID lock-down. Now she wants to show how wonderful recreational International folk dancing can be for retirees to encourage socialization, improve cognitive memory, maintain balance, increase gross motor coordination and expand a feeling of wellbeing.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Delaware is a volunteer based, learning cooperative for adults 50+.Theree are a wide variety of courses provided for students to choose from. For more information and to learn how to participate in OLLI, visit olli.udel.edu

Adults.

Registration requested.