Editor’s Note: This is the sixth installment in a series of articles that highlight each of the couples who have agreed to participate in the 11th annual Dancing with the Montgomery County Stars. The event, slated for May 9 at Knowling Fieldhouse, is a fundraiser for the Montgomery County Youth Service Bureau. Doors open at 5 p.m. and event begins at 6 p.m. To learn more or to purchase tickets, visit online at https://mcysb47933.wixsite.com/mcysb/dwts/.
Michael Schoen
I am an attorney. I’ve worked in Montgomery County for about 18 months but I live in Indianapolis. Lately, I’ve been teaching myself blacksmithing. I really enjoy learning new craft skills, like woodworking, kumihimo and leather work. I also enjoy video and tabletop games.
The song that makes me get up and dance or sing is “Until Now, Mummer’s Dance,” by Lorena McKenitt, which was our first dance at our wedding.
My first reaction when I was asked to be a Star was I was surprised; it’s not really in line with my work persona, and I definitely don’t think of myself as a Star.
I decided to participate in this YSB fundraiser because all of YSB’s programs are important, but I see firsthand the work that CASA volunteers from YSB do, and makes it very personal for me.
The public should come to this event and support my partner and me because the event is all about supporting underserved and vulnerable kids in Montgomery County. I have so much empathy for them and I hope that the public will too. This year is especially important because so much federal funding has been cut.
Katie Wallace
I am retired. I live in Putnam County, and have for 30 years. For fun I hang out with my grandchildren. We go to movies and go bowling.
In terms of my dance background, I inherited my dad’s love of music and dance. It wasn’t until years later when my oldest daughter became a ballroom instructor and needed a partner to practice the lead role that I actually started dancing professionally. Now, I am starting my 13th year in private and group lessons. I’ve done choreography for wedding couples, father/daughter wedding dance, mother/son wedding, and had the privilege of choreographing my youngest brother and his beautiful daughter for her wedding. I was involved with Putnam County DWTS for seven of the 10 years and now my fifth year with MCDWTS.
The music from the big band era is at the top of my list. Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Dean Martin, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Count Basie — the masters!
I participate in this fundraiser because it’s my way of giving back to the community, especially the youth who need a little extra care. Supporting struggling children teaches us adults the value of kindness and our responsibility to educate and strengthen our future leaders.
The community should attend and support all the dancers because we have so much fun. The food is great, the atmosphere is electrifying, the music is diverse and the dancers work so hard to put on a great show for the kids.
