Larry "Rocky" Roquemore has taught generations of kids and adults how to conquer the dance floor. Here he leads couples in country-western two-stepping through the Fredericksburg ISD community education program. Photo by Phil Houseal

Details:
Roquemore noted there are several venues for dancing in the area. He mentioned Turner Hall Dance Club, Harper Dance Club, VFW halls, Hangar Hotel, Inn of the Hills in Kerrville, the German Dance Club, and the Cabaret in Bandera. You can contact Roquemore by calling 830-377-7419.

To sign up for adult dance classes, contact the community education programs of Fredericksburg ISD (997-7182) or Kerrville ISD (895-4386) Club Ed.

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Care to dance?

by Phil Houseal
November 1, 2006

A casual query. But one that leaves many otherwise confident adults quaking in their boots as they contemplate the spectacle of dancing in public.

Larry "Rocky" Roquemore has been soothing the soles of the movement-challenged for years. Roquemore teaches adults how to dance ballroom and country-western through community education programs in Fredericksburg and Kerrville.

But first he likes to scare them.

"At the first class, everyone is nervous," Roquemore said. "I congratulate them for coming to the 'advanced' class, then ask how many men were dragged here. Always three or four hands go up!"

What is the reason for this phobia?

"Most men have had limited exposure to dance," Roquemore said. "They have no confidence. In fact, they are scared to death they will look foolish. I tell them I'm going to teach you how to dance, and more important, we are here to have fun."

Roquemore was a real rarity - a young man growing up in the heart of Texas in the 1950s who took ballet.

His mother hauled him from Mineral Wells to Fort Worth for tap dance classes every Saturday. At age 10, his family moved to Fort Worth and his mother announced young Rocky was going to take ballet.

"Mom," Roquemore remembered protesting, "That's where you wear hose!"

But soon Roquemore, who would have preferred spending his Saturdays playing ball, discovered he was good at ballet. He remembers getting his share of grief from his non-dancing buddies, and couldn't wait to get out of high school and head to New York.

Roquemore's travails paid off, as he earned a scholarship to the American School of Ballet, the official school of the New York City Ballet, in 1956. He met his future wife, Betlue, while working at the State Fair in Dallas, and they both followed their dream to the bright lights of Broadway.

The Roquemores had a successful 20-year run in New York, appearing in movies, on television, and in top musicals, including the original stage production and film of West Side Story. They returned to Corpus Christi where they founded the Corpus Christi Ballet Theatre and operated five satellite dance schools.

In 1989 they tried to retire to the Hill Country, but soon discovered they were not content doing nothing. The couple began teaching classes, and Rocky obtained his Realtor license and now sells real estate with Coldwell Banker, Heart of the Hills.

Back in the dance studio, Roquemore imparts his comfort in movement with gentle teaching. He guides his students through a pattern designed to put them at ease. First he teaches the footwork for each step to the ladies as a group, followed by the men. After showing them how to count rhythm, he puts the couples together for lessons on how to lead and follow.

"I love to compare the first and last class," he said. "I see a transformation in confidence and atmosphere. They are really dancing! I get a lot of satisfaction out of that."

Roquemore still has a passion for dance, and wants everyone to share the joy.

"First, it's something you can do as a couple," he explained. "Second, it gives you a sense of confidence. And last, it expands your social life. You will meet new friends and get away from the TV and into a new environment. So come on out. It will be fun."

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