In Gretchen I Trust

Gretchen joined the Summer Enrichment Program as a kid. She was barely older than the children dancing in her shadow.

It was Maggie, Larry and Gretchen. The Big Three. Others would join the family, along the way.

The first thing to know about Gretchen is… the woman is ridiculously smart. She knows more than most people have forgotten.

She is also a world-class dancer. That doesn’t happen by accident. It’s talent and commitment and a relentless work ethic.

AND… Gretchen has been blessed with the oft-referenced-but-near-indescribable “stroke of genius.” My mama had it. Larry has it. Gretchen has it.

Choreographers are their own breed. It is NOT simply partnering the boys with the girls and “everybody waltz!”

Setting the scene. Telling the story. Breathing life into the moment. There is an art to moving masses of people. It’s kinda like coaching football, herding cats and owning a rhinoceros ranch at the same time.

Nobody – NOBODY – has done it better than Gretchen. Imagine a cast of more than a hundred kids (grades 6-11) and teaching them to do the same thing, at the same time, with the same foot, on the same beat, while smiling and singing and not falling into the orchestra pit.

While there were (ARE) a proverbial truckload of reasons to love and celebrate the Summer Enrichment Program, one of my unspoken favorites was that every kid got their moment in the spotlight. Only with Gretchen. She moved children around the stage the way Michelangelo flung plaster in the Sistine Chapel. Every parent and every grandparent and every sibling got to see their child (or their big sister) on the front row. It always happened. Always.

The notion that “every kid matters” burns deep in my soul. It’s impacted everything I’ve tried to do. In the classroom. Behind the microphone. Every. Thing. Every kid matters.

I measure all dance teachers and choreographers against the standard set by what I have lived and performed with Gretchen Hall. She is the BEST.

It’s not only the dancing, of course. Gretchen is a phenomenal seamstress. She breathes costumes like the rest of us take in air.

She is a marvelous teacher. She is an extraordinary director.

But… my mother said it endlessly. The thing that makes Gretchen, Gretchen, is loyalty.

She never fails to be where she is needed. Her loyalty is unmatched and unquestioned.

One time, just to make the point, my mother called Gretchen about three in the morning. Yes – 3:00 AM. We were working on something at church. (Costumes? Props? I don’t remember.)

“Gretch… will you please go to Krispy Kreme and get some doughnuts and bring them to church?”

Gretchen showed up within the hour, doughnuts in hand.

My mother laughed. They both lit a cigarette and the work continued.

Shows. Late-night dinners. Gretchercise. Field trips to Amish country. Dance recitals. Krispy Kreme runs. Church programs. Midnight bowling. NCTC. July 4th cookouts. Junior Olympics. School everything. Weddings and funerals.

Gretchen is always – ALWAYS – there. Whether it’s the most important “thing” EVER, or, another task needing to be checked off the list, Gretchen has never-ever not shown up. Few people, VERY FEW, have that kind of track record.

Along the way, we have become family.

She’s busy. We don’t talk every day. We don’t talk every other day.

But, when I need sound counsel… Wisdom. Perspective. A sounding board. Help, even. I trust Gretchen. Always.

For the record, she is one of the few and far between that actually answers the phone. I cannot express how pleased and relieved I am to hear her voice on the other end of the conversation. I know, whatever it is, we’re gonna find a way.

Gretchen Hall. She’s the one. In Gretchen I trust.