About The Dance Inn

Thelma Larkin Goldberg, Director, started The Dance Inn in 1983 while on a leave of absence from teaching in the Boston Public Schools. Her early dance training was in Cambridge with Grace Bates and Joan O’Brien. She taught dance while earning her B.S. Ed. From Lesley College and then taught special needs students in Boston while earning her M.S. Sp.Ed. from Regis College. Under Thelma’s guidance, the Dance Inn serves an average of 600 students weekly.  She was on the faculty of the Boston Conservatory for four years and has been on the faculty and staff of the New York City Tap Festival since 2002.  In addition, she proudly serves as Artistic Director to the Legacy Dance Company, the pre-professional youth performing ensemble of The Dance Inn.

 

Philosophy

Thelma’s mission is to offer the highest level training and programming for both the recreational dancer as well as the aspiring professional.  During her twenty-five years of dance education, she has developed her own tap and jazz curriculums and provides in-service training to her dedicated staff, assuring that all her teachers are following the same guidelines and assuring that her students progress through a carefully thought-out program that emphasizes good technique and musicality. Her approach has been largely influenced by Billy Siegenfeld’s rhythm-based philosophy which encourages students to be grounded in the earth and to incorporate their whole body in rhythm-making.  Dance training shouldn’t get in the way of an individual’s basic instincts to move rhythmically.  Thelma’s philosophy promotes dance as a life-long activity, demonstrated by her adult program which has dancers in their 80’s. 

 

Dance belongs in the community

Through the ages and in every culture, dance brings people together.  For Thelma, it must be brought out of the studio and into the community.  With that in mind, her students have performed and shared the joy of dance at numerous venues, both locally and nationally, whether outdoors or on a concert stage.  Highlights of a typical season include performances at the Hatch Shell for the Making Strides against Breast Cancer Walk, the annual holiday benefit concert at the Regent Theatre for the Kids in Need foundation, leading Lexington’s Patriot’s Day Parade,  the annual Discovery Day performance, and, of course, The Dance Inn’s very popular recitals.  Thelma’s desire to connect with and build a dance community leads her to establish a non-profit organization in 1997.

 

Dance Inn Productions, Inc.

The mission of Dance Inn Productions, Inc., a 501c3 organization, is to pass on the artistry and traditions of dance through programming that educates, entertains, and inspires.  As founder and Executive Director, Thelma works with a board of directors to produce several events a year, including Tapestry, Boston’s premier National Tap Dance Day celebration, attracting dancers and aficionados from throughout the East Coast.   Since 1997 she has honored Dianne Walker, Buster Brown, Sue Ronson, Jimmy “Sir Slyde” Mitchell, Brenda Bufalino, LaVaughn Robinson, Jimmy Slyde, Sarah Petronio, Dean Diggins, and Paul Arslanian.  In addition, Thelma offers a Master Series that brings world-renowned teachers to the Lexington area for weekend workshops.  For many years, the Tom and Catherine Larkin Youth Ballroom Program taught middle schoolers the fine art of ballroom dancing.  Thelma has hopes of continuing that program in the coming year.