For the love of dance: War Memorial instructor shares experiences

It’s the connection that is the best part of the world of dance for John Perna.

“The connection is where the enjoyment comes from,” he said. “Not so much that you are doing the steps, but the fact you can do it together with someone. I want them to do the steps together.”

Since 2009, Perna, of Grosse Pointe Woods, has taught ballroom dance classes at The War Memorial.

“My friend who has since passed away, Nancy Mccaffrey recommended me to teach classes at The War Memorial,” he said. “The person who led the classes before me retired. I had an interview, they liked me, and they hired me.”

His rotation of classes includes waltz and rumba, foxtrot and swing, tango and cha-cha.

“In the summer, I’ve often done less standard classes like hustle and west coast swing,” he said.

A pair of classes coincide for a six-week session. A good-size class for Perna is when 10 or more people attend.

Currently, Perna leads the Beginner Ballroom Basics at The War Memorial. The class runs on Tuesdays from Sept. 10 to Oct. 15, beginning at 7 p.m. Intermediate Ballroom Basics with Perna also runs the same length, beginning at 8 p.m.

Perna began dancing in his 40s, while working for Habitat for Humanity in Saginaw, where he served as the executive director.

“I didn’t know anybody there and heard about a singles dance that I was really nervous to go to,” he said. “The first time I went I made it as far as the parking lot, then I had to turn around. The next week, I made it as far as the front door. Then by that time, I met a few people who went to it, so I knew I would know people there.”

Prior to him leading classes here, Perna hadn’t led any formal classes.

“The War Memorial position was my first formal dance instructor position,” he said. “Classes here are a safe way to learn. We’re in the activity room in the basement and it’s just us. Learning to dance, particularly for the fellas, is hard to learn. When I was a kid, dancing wasn’t a cool thing to do.”

Perna adds that for many guys, dancing is a difficult activity to break into, with men often feeling uncoordinated when they start a class.

“It’s just us at The War Memorial and no one is watching, so we can focus on this awkward and sometimes uncomfortable thing to start doing,” he said. “It’s a fun way to learn to dance.”

Speaking about the transformation he sees in folks from the first to last dance lesson, Perna commented that it’s wonderful to see.

“They may not get it in the first lesson, they struggle through it and then in the next week, it kind of gets easier and starts to come,” he said. “It gets better by the third week, and then we start a new dance. Often, the body learns even when we’re not doing the activity.”

This year, as part of our 75th anniversary, The War Memorial will share stories from the public about the impact and experiences they have had at the nonprofit organization. Do you have a special War Memorial story or memory? Join us in telling #myWMstory and share yours!