Marilyn Graham

HASSDA: Tell us how you came into the Square/Round dance world.

Marilyn: I moved to Topeka, Kansas, to take a job with the State in 1996. I didn’t know anyone and needed something to do - badly. A gentleman I worked with convinced me to take square dance lessons with his club, and I fell in love with it. I thank him regularly in my thoughts and prayers!

HASSDA: When and why did you begin cueing?

Marilyn: After I retired from the Kansas job in 2005, I moved back to Jefferson City from where I had moved in 1996 because of family close by. There was no full-time round dance cuer in the entire Northeast part of the State at that time. I noticed when we traveled and there was a cuer, several of our Jefferson City dancers would round dance. I had been fortunate to learn round dancing in Topeka from Pam Young, a wonderful cuer and friend. I talked with Pam; she encouraged me to take up cueing; and that’s what I did! I have enjoyed every minute of it, and the round dancers in the area appreciate having someone again to cue. I have been cueing since 2007, and I have conducted several sets of lessons in round dancing since I began. It’s so rewarding to see new dancers enjoy what is so much fun in my life!

HASSDA: What is your biggest challenge as a Cuer:

Marilyn: My biggest challenge has probably been creating a full repertoire of different songs and dances to make sure I keep it interesting and fun for the dancers. I didn’t know I was going to work so hard in my retirement, but it’s definitely a good thing in my life!!

From an Interview with Marilyn Graham in the December 2012 HASSDA Newsletter.