ONE-ON-ONE | Judi Conti Teaching was never a chore, dance instructor says

So you say it's 42 years that you've been teaching dance?
This is my 42nd year right now of teaching, yes. That's just on my own. That of course isn't counting my years with Kotheimer's or Cassidy's (dance studios).
Why were you so sure at an early age that this is what you wanted?
Well, I loved dancing. I loved the people, loved the little girls. I just loved everything about it -- the recitals, the shows. I traveled professionally in the summertime during my teen and early 20s years, even after I was married. I had an agent that booked my girls, that danced professionally throughout Canada and the United States. I don't think I ever thought of doing anything else but dancing. And basically from the teaching point of it. ... It was never ever a chore, never a job, never a dread, just something I loved.
How much performing had you done on your own?
Probably from age 16 until even after I was married -- probably about 10 years. I had my daughter when I was 26. We used to go to New York back in the '50s and learn all of June Taylor's routines that she did, her girls did, on the Jackie Gleason show. Then we were booked professionally as her summer girls -- just like they have the Rockettes, not the ones in New York City but the ones who travel. I was part of the June Taylor dancers. We did state fairs; we did conventions ... county fairs throughout western Canada, Brenda Lee to Bobby Vinton, Anita Bryant, Tex Ritter -- all the people who would be the big names, the stars who would travel.
As much as I did travel, I enjoyed it, but to make it full time, that wasn't what I wanted to do.
How long will you continue to teach?
I only teach on Thursday night, and that's the night my husband bowls, so we're both gone the same night. I'm still limber. I'm still flexible. I still enjoy it. The fact that I have a wonderful life outside of the studio -- my friends and family -- I enjoy that even more, for that matter. Because I have wonderful teachers, they are here, they manage it, they do it. ... I probably have no plans to retire. Make the load lighter, maybe.
I am involved in Youngstown Christian Women's Club. I set up Bible studies in homes. I'm a speaker for Christian Women's Club. I share my personal life story.
What are highlights from that?
Growing up. Being named after Judy Garland. Not a backstage mother. You know, in your own story, you're talking about you went to church all your life. In the '50s you were good because you had a reputation. Your mother made you be good. My mother just passed away in September after 12 years of Alzheimer's. You know, best friend, wonderful. The last six years, she was on a feeding tube at Greenbriar, didn't know a thing. That was tough.
Meeting my husband. Being married at Christmastime. Being a romantic, Christmas bride. Basically how I came to know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior is what I share, without talking about churches or denominations.
Who is your favorite choreographer, and why?
We just saw "Fosse" a few weeks ago when [it] was here. For Bob Fosse, because his style never changed, even though he died what, 10 years ago, he still danced like we danced in the '60s. I love his clean, crisp style. I love seeing the Rockettes because of their precision. They just revamped all theirs; if you saw them [in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade], it's almost Bob Fosse style again. Luigi is like the father of jazz. He's from Ohio. He's probably in his late 70s and still teaching in New York City. His style has never changed; it's the more graceful flow of jazz. I would have to say Luigi for his beauty of the body, the fluidness of the body.
For your career-minded students, is it easier for them to get started now compared to when you were their age?
The competition is much greater. The young people are even better. In my time, it was Ann-Margret, Mitzi Gaynor, you know, cutesy-type things. Although we thought we were physically fit, you didn't have to be -- it wasn't as strenuous. The leaps are higher. The turns are more. You have to do seven or eight turns now compared to two or three. The gymnastics. The better you are, the more flexible you are, the more ballet you have. ... It's just like the Olympics. Look how much better they are now.
What do you do to relax?
Bake. I don't relax. There's always a project. That's relaxing. If I have a few hours free, I would call one of our friends. "C'mon over." We go out to dinner with our friends a lot, and we entertain a lot.