In March 2016, Judyanne Campbell began teaching line dance at Ardenwoods. Not only does dancing improve balance and strength, but it also stimulates the mind as dancers work to remember combinations. There’s also the bonus social aspect of dance class.

About a year into teaching at Ardenwoods, Campbell decided that her dancers needed a goal — rather, a performance — to work toward while exercising their memories. Her dancers agreed, especially Shirley Morrow, who leads the Ardenwoods Singers for two performances every year. Morrow had the idea for the dancers to perform alongside the singers in a show, and thus, the Salt-n-Pepper Shakers was born.

Campbell first began dancing at 6 years old, and though she enjoyed a long career as a radiologic technologist, dance was always part of her life. She is now a certified ballroom dance instructor and has been teaching ballroom and country-western dancing since 2007. Though she doesn’t compete as a professional, she has competed with students — and she even introduced resident Janet Mitchell to local ballroom competitions.

But the Salt-n-Pepper Shakers isn’t the only way dance has come to Ardenwoods. Occasionally, Campbell will work with Community Life Services Director Kari Schrader to bring some of her students to the community for live music events. The dancers pair with our residents and help bring a little extra cheer to the party!

In the seven years that Campbell has taught at Ardenwoods, she has formed close friendships with the Salt-n-Pepper ladies. Campbell notes that the dancers’ spirit and sense of fun and humor is what makes dance class fun every single week. She has expressed that she loves being part of the Ardenwoods family, and, likewise, we love having her around to jazz the place up!