Heather Talcott-Feature Story

Above: Dance instructor Theda Assiff-MacGriff prepares music for her ballet class at The Studio in East Lansing, Michigan. MacGriff has been a dance instructor for years. She states, "I had a studio for over 50 years in downtown East Lansing, Mich. and then I retired. My daughter moved back and created this studio now." MacGriff was first inspired to dance because of her dance instructor growing up. Now she is able to be an inspiration for many other dancers.

Above: While waiting for her dancers to stretch, dance instructor, Theda Assiff-MacGriff, reviews her steps off to the side. "I started dancing when I was six years old and I'm 85 now." MacGriff is retired but enjoys teaching a ballet class at her daughter's studio. While she doesn't have her own studio anymore, MacGriff states, "It was hard to make the transition but it was a decision I had to make." The change of lifestyle hasn't bothered her too much. "It's wonderful. It's not my studio. I don't have to worry about anything. I can go in and out when I want," she says.

Above: Theda Assiff-MacGriff's worn shoes touch the floor of The Studio in East Lansing, Michigan. MacGriff has taught a variety of dance types over the years. "I taught tap, ballet, jazz, and ballroom, especially junior ballroom dance. I really learned those from my dance teacher growing up. Every summer I would go to New York and take master classes. Some were instructive classes so I learned how to teach," she says.

Above: Theda Assiff-MacGriff instructs a student while at ballet practice at The Studio, a performing arts center in East Lansing, Michigan. MacGriff has been teaching dance for years. She states, "When I first began teaching, I was an assistant for my teacher. I went to New York for further study and danced professionally for a few years. I came back and went to Michigan State University (at the time Michigan State College) for grad school, and I really enjoyed it. In graduate school, a friend of mine was teaching and asked me to teach a class and go back to the professional world."

Above: After practice, Theda Assiff-MacGriff socializes with her dancers. MacGriff enjoys being around younger people. She states, "When you're around young people it keeps you young and moving." MacGriff currently teaches ballet at The Studio, off Grand River, in East Lansing, Michigan. "The girls I teach all work so hard. It's wonderful," she says.