story & photo
by Maren Schober
Louise Neistat, New London, is nothing short of remarkable! It is a pleasure to be talking with her today about her dancing experiences.
Coming up on the age of 90, Louise is well known in the area as a tap dancing teacher. A teacher of dancing in New London for over forty years, she is not about to slow down now.
“I teach tap dancing to eighty students between the ages of three-and-a-half and eighty years old,” Louise states. “Once a year we put on a public performance at the Garde Theatre and I donate the proceeds to the Backus Hospital Breast Cancer Foundation where all the money is used locally.”
Louise’s daughter Margo also teaches tap dancing classes and together they produce the annual show at the Garde. Louise and Margo teach their students right in their own home in New London.
“When my husband and I bought this house, I knew right away that I could turn the third floor attic space into a dancing studio and changing room. I don’t have to pay outside rent. It is perfect.”
Louise started dancing early in life. “I grew up in Yonkers, NY and started dancing lessons when I was 8 or 9 years old. My mother said I was plump and she thought the dancing would be good for me. I have been dancing ever since. I learned all kinds of dancing but when I became fourteen years old I settled into tap dancing.”
“I graduated from Yonkers High School in 1937. I don’t know how I did that because all I could think about was dancing!”
“After high school I auditioned for the Rockettes and got the job! It was war time and for one year I lived out of my suitcase as I traveled and entertained our American soldiers all over the country with the Rockettes. I got to meet the movie stars who entertained with us and I especially remember meeting Cary Grant.”
“We had lots of fun adventures. Young men from the audience would send us letters inviting us out for a date but that was against the rules.”
“I also worked at the Charles Lowe Dance Studio in New York for nine years. Charles sent me over with some children to do some tap dancing with Milton Berle during the Milton Berle Show. Milton Berle loved working with children.”
Marriage brought Louise to New London. “When I married Ephraim Neistat we moved to New London where Ephraim had his own business the Thames Crockery Co. It was on Bank Street. Now the Muddy Waters Cafe is in the same building and is owned by my son, Barry.”
I ask Louise, “What is your secret for longevity and good health?”
“Keep your mind and body active. Above all don’t eat a lot of crap. And oh yes, keep climbing stairs. That’s important.”
This year’s annual tap dancing show is Saturday, June 20th. For ticket information call the Garde Theatre: 860.444.7373.
Posted on April 29th, 2009 | category: Community Spirit
I remember taking lessons from Louise when I was three years old, and that’s 67 years ago. It was at Charlie Lowe’s, and she was a terrific teacher. I’m so happy to see her again and know that she’s had a wonderful life and is still doing well. If you can, please send her Patti Shields’ regards.