NOTICE THE MATCHING HEADSCARF, That’s not a mistake!
“The scarf really killed me because I have a scarf exactly like it!”
This exquisitely choreographed dance about breast cancer touched so many people on Wednesday night, we had to know the woman who inspired this art.
So we did some investigative journalism for a future project on SYTYCD and hunted down Michele Larkin who touched Tyce so much. I found Larkin Dance Studios in St. Paul, Minnesota where Michelle teaches the contestants of tomorrow, along with her sister Molly. Michelle called me on her cell from Chicago at a Jazz Conference and I asked her what the impact of the dance was on her because it certainly had an impact on us.
A: Have you spoken to Tyce yet and thanked him?M: We’ve talked through text but we keep missing each other. I thanked him and it was his birthday. I told him it was a wonderful tribute, because you know I was his inspiration but it was a message that needs to be out there for everyone.
A: How did you feel when you saw Tyce dedicate that piece to you?
M: Well, it was very overwhelming I was very touched by it. I still can’t even talk about it I’m so overwhelmed!
A: Did you know he was going to do that?
M: Yes, he had mentioned it so I made sure my nephew taped it because I’m in Chicago.
A: How many times have you watched it online because I’ve seen it probably six times by now?
M; My nephew tivoed it so yeah I’ve watched it quite a few times. I’m so overwhelmed by all the attention it’s gotten.
A: How are you feeling now?
M: Well I was diagnosed in December and I’m done with my kemo so I’m feeling good. I still have some test to do to make sure everything’s ok. I have to move on. I have to beat this. I feel great, and I;m on the rebound ready to get back to regular life and that was just…so beautiful to look at.
Michele was a blast to talk to, and even went into the fact that she’s seen Ade, the male dancer in the piece, grow up from a little boy so it was really touching for him to be a part of the dance.
You can find Michelle teaching all around the country, working on new routines here in LA with Tyce, and online.
