By Barb Brouwer, Observer contributor

At 89, Jackie Cannon is tapping into her joy.

And she is not alone.

Cannon is a member of the Moxie Ladies, a tap-dancing group led by longtime dance instructor Ann Robertson.

Describing herself as a 香蕉视频直播渞eal ham,香蕉视频直播� Cannon credits the weekly tap sessions with good health and good spirits.

香蕉视频直播淚 love it, it香蕉视频直播檚 joyful. We dance to a lot of 香蕉视频直播�40s big-band music and it香蕉视频直播檚 really good exercise; you use the whole core of your body,香蕉视频直播� she says, noting her doctor is fully supportive. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 excellent because we gradually learn a routine, then you have to remember the steps, so you can see where the mental part comes in.香蕉视频直播�

A Salmon Arm resident since 1951, Cannon began tap-dancing at the age of eight when her mother drove her 30 miles to the next Saskatchewan town for lessons.

A musical soul, she began piano lessons at age four and singing when she was 11.

香蕉视频直播淐lassical singing has always been my passion and I have sung at a million concerts, weddings and funerals,香蕉视频直播� she says. 香蕉视频直播淚 sang and danced in a lot of amateur shows in Saskatchewan and just had a wonderful time.香蕉视频直播�

Always encouraged by her parents, at age 11 Cannon studied tap-dancing in Winnipeg, followed by singing and dancing in Vaudeville shows in the city香蕉视频直播檚 Beacon Theatre.

But the tap-dance shoes were hung up for 40 years as Cannon香蕉视频直播檚 passion turned to singing and raising a family here.

香蕉视频直播淪ome of the mothers in Salmon Arm found out I was a tap dancer and I gave lessons to young girls,香蕉视频直播� says the mother of four, who heard about Ann Robertson at the Fifth Avenue Seniors Activity Centre.

香蕉视频直播淭he rest is history,香蕉视频直播� she laughs. 香蕉视频直播淓veryone is supportive, lovely and a lot of fun, including Ann, who is a wonderful person and a great teacher. We have become another family.香蕉视频直播�

Lithe, graceful and enthusiastic, the 75-year-old Robertson started dancing in England when she was four years old.

She travelled to Canada in 1952, earning her dance teacher certificate in Ontario. She studied jazz and Martha Graham Dance and Choreography at the University of Calgary when she was 40 and came to Salmon Arm in 1992.

香蕉视频直播淚 started teaching when I was 14 and really developed my own style,香蕉视频直播� she says. 香蕉视频直播淚 would rather encourage and was keen on being careful with dancers.香蕉视频直播�

Robertson gave lessons on ballroom and western dance, both on her own and at Okanagan College, for some 20 years. She also taught foxtrot, jive and Latin at the seniors香蕉视频直播� activity centre.

But Robertson has always preferred tap dancing 香蕉视频直播� 香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檝e loved it all my life and it香蕉视频直播檚 something you can do until you are 100.香蕉视频直播�

A volunteer teacher to the Moxie Ladies, Robertson choreographs her own low-impact routines, especially for seniors.

香蕉视频直播淓veryone seems to have a knee, hip or foot problem so I must keep this in mind when I am teaching,香蕉视频直播� she says. 香蕉视频直播淭hey are so enthusiastic and they keep me on my toes.香蕉视频直播�

Cannon, who turns 90 in April, has no plans on quitting.

香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 going to dance for the rest of this season whether I香蕉视频直播檓 90 or not,香蕉视频直播� says the happy fireball, who played flute in the community band for 18 years and continues to sing in the choir at First United Church. 香蕉视频直播淚 just have to keep on making opportunities for myself.香蕉视频直播�

The cost of the classes is a modest $10 a month to cover the rent, have an end-of-season lunch and offer financial support to a dance student with any leftover funds.

Anyone who is interested in getting their tap on, may call Carolyn Wonacott at the Shuswap Dance Center, at 250-833-5418.