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Linda Baumeister/Review
Michele Larkin Wagner and the Larkin Dance junior Line. |
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Linda Baumeister/Review
Top, Michele Larkin Wagner, a dance instructor at Larkin Dance for 30 years, has kept working and surrounded with people who mean the most to her. Middle photo, (submitted photo) Wagner was the inspiration for a performance on "So You Think You Can Dance." |
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Inspiration and celebration
Dance teacher honored with national tribute
Cody Zustiak
Review staff
As viewers tuned into "So You Think You Can Dance" on July 22, many finished watching while wiping tears from their eyes.
A choreographed dance by two of the performers, dedicated to fighting breast cancer and set to the song "Woman's Work," brought out an array of emotions and left many wondering who inspired that piece of artistic expression.
You don't need to look much further than right here in our own back yard.
In December 2008, Michele Larkin Wagner heard the words "You have breast cancer," from her doctor that, unfortunately, more than 200,000 women hear each year, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Wagner has taught at Larkin Dance Studio, owned by her mother, Shirley Larkin, in Maplewood for 30 years.
Larkin Studio is currently in its 60th year, and this may be the best one yet for Wagner, who was declared cancer-free by her doctor Aug. 5.
Not giving in
The news came a week earlier than Wagner initially expected.
She had plans for her husband, six sisters and other family members to come with her to the appointment so the moment could be shared.
"I always thought it was harder on them (family) than it was on me," Wagner said. "I worried about my mom, sisters and husband. I was ready for work."
Although family couldn't be there to share the moment, she eventually got in touch with everyone.
"I didn't have anyone to scream with," she said with a laugh. "Having six sisters can be crazy, but there is nothing better than sisters when you are going through a crisis."
When Wagner initially was told in December about her upcoming fight she took it in stride and made sure to dig deep into her work.
"You can choose to let the disease get you down and put the covers over your head, or you can not let it take over your body and mind," she said. "It's more painful mentally, but I told myself I wasn't going to let it take over my life."
Over the eight months she had the disease, Wagner said she only took eight days off from work.
Keeping busy and continuing as normal a daily routine as possible was key for Wagner to beat breast cancer. She kept working, stayed positive and surrounded herself with people who mean the most to her.
"For me, I never really saw myself as having cancer," she said. "I pretended like it wasn't all happening."
Her family and students stuck by her side the entire time, but her mother admits she saw the disease as being unfair for her daughter to endure.
"I thought to myself, 'I'm 75 years old, why not me?'" Shirley Larkin said. "But everybody was very positive when we heard she was diagnosed."
Even though the chemotherapy had its weakening effects on Wagner's body, she always felt that her mind was most involved, not her body, throughout the battle with the disease.
And with a brightened outlook for what lies ahead, she can reflect on the dance dedicated to her and all of the support she has received along the way.
Tribute and dedication
Melissa Sandvig and Ade Obayomi performed a dance choreographed by Tyce Diorio, who has been one of Wagner's closest friends for years.
"I just felt compelled to talk about breast cancer, and a friend, who was faced with it," Diorio said before the dance aired July 22.
They met at an advanced dance competition in New York many years back, and the two have shared a special friendship ever since.
Although Wagner said she fought the disease by minimizing its effects, the SYTYCD event dedicated to her made her realize its impacts.
"I look at the poor people who wore scarves and hats in the dance and it reminded me of myself," she said. "It was really overwhelming because it hit home."
Not only did the dance help Wagner wrap her mind around her disease, but it also brought attention she never expected.
From all over the country people have called and requested interviews with her, wanting to know who was the person who inspired such an emotionally beautiful dance.
"It was the talk of the dance world and there was buzz all over," she recalled. "I was wowed, and the whole thing has been bittersweet."
Wagner said that Diorio simply told her to watch SYTYCD one evening, and that she didn't know a dance was going to be dedicated to her that night.
"I told him it was a wonderful tribute, because you know I was his inspiration, but it was a message that needs to be out there for everyone," Wagner said.
That message is something that Wagner now looks to raise awareness to for the rest of her life.
A new focus
Wagner plans on getting involved with the Maplewood Cancer Center, where she received most of her treatment for breast cancer and emotional support.
"I'm so lucky it worked out in my favor," she said. "It's just a blessing that I had my parents, students, sisters, family and people all over the country to support my fight."
From her experience, Wagner now hopes to spread the message for early detection and awareness for the disease, and to keep working as hard as she can each day she has given to her.
"I'm excited to start teaching at Larkin again for its 60th year," she said. "I was on auto-pilot for a while, and I'm excited to concentrate my efforts toward feeling better and giving the kids my best effort. I want to live my life without thinking about being sick."
"She will never not do her dancing," Shirley Larkin said. "It's what she does 24/7. She loves it."
Larkin Dance Studio is holding open houses Aug. 31-Sept. 3 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Aug. 15 and 16 there will be a special summer workshop with members of SYTYCD, including Obayomi, who performed the dance dedicated to Wagner.
But what really makes Wagner's fight seem worth it is a small moment that lives large in her life.
"I just got a text from one of my students saying that she got a mammogram," Wagner said beaming. "It's times like that when I realize why I went through this fight: To get others aware."
Now that she is cancer-free , Wagner plans to continue living a healthy life and influencing others to do the same, but she won't soon forget the dance dedicated to her fight, and the fight that too many women struggle with daily.
"I feel great, and I'm on the rebound ready to get back to regular life and that (dance) was just...so beautiful to look at."
Cody Zustiak can be reached at staffwriter@lillienews.com or 651-748-7824.
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