SUBJ: LETTER OF THANKS TO VIRGINIA
20 July 2023
Fellow Virginians,
Considering the recent nomination into the National Living Legends of Dance (NLLD), I wanted
to take a moment to express my sincerest gratitude to those across the state who impacted my
life over the years. I will write a formal letter to deliver for NLLD, but I wanted to first rewind and
thank the Virginia Shaggers Hall of Fame and the Shag Clubs across the state for making all
this possible for our family. To say I am honored and humbled to receive recognition from the
Virginia Shaggers Hall of Fame would be a vast understatement. No words could fully convey
my appreciation and thanks. Lord knows I could not have said all of this or probably held it
together on the mic, so I wanted to take the opportunity to show my appreciation to you all.
First, thank you to Ms. Joyce Burnley for having the initial vision to create an outlet to honor
those junior dancers in Virginia who have played an integral role in growing our dance. I loved
getting the opportunity to enter the Virginia Junior Hall of Fame alongside such an incredible
group of people. They are my brothers and sisters, my previous dance partners, my mentors,
and my long-time friends.
Thank you also to Mr. Steve Booth for always leading and speaking with such class and
charisma. Your introductions for everyone going in were well thought out, eloquent, and
delivered with thoughtful intent that honored each inductee in the most meaningful and unique
way. Bravo, sir! That said, I am certain Ms. Janis also plays a vital role in your planning and
preparation and her class is always unmatched. Thank you both for your kindness, support,
and consistent contributions to our state and the dance over the years. Berta would be proud of
the example you continue to set.
Thank you to the Shag Clubs who provided a means for me to grow in my dancing and teaching
through the years. I can honestly say, the Shag Clubs in Virginia played a huge role in my
growth and development as an aspiring dance professional. You all gave me a means to dance
and connect with people that did not require my mother having to drive to the Carolinas only to
progress. For that, we are forever grateful, and it is worth depicting my journey with each of the
clubs.
I first started in group classes at Steppin' Out in Virginia Beach with Larry and Cathy Williams
where I met my soon to become stepfather Larry and long-time friends, the late great Mr. Bill
Williams and his beautiful and talented wife Steva. I also met Grant, Ginger and the Poston's,
Ms. Jan, Fran, Jackie, and many others over the years who all treated me like family. So close
to home many of my fondest memories took place in Virginia Beach. I attended the National
Living Legends of Dance hosted by the late Berta Lull in '99 with my Nana at the Officers Club
in Little Creek. Berta would go on to adopt me like a son and support me beyond measure as I
grew up. In fact, years later, she even invited my Junior Shag Dance Team to perform as a
dress rehearsal every year before U.S. Open. Thank you for your support, Virginia Beach.
Boogie on the Bay also provided a location just a short drive away for us to go Shagging. I
remember going there to drill my footwork with Fran Harris, Marsha, Tom, and Cathy, learn line
dances and work on my boogie walk. I'll never forget going to the Chamberlain, taking from Jac
and Erin and dancing under the moonlight overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. What a party,
too ... of course only Cokes and Shirley Temples at that time! Thank you, Boogie on the Bay!
Just a short drive over the Hampton Roads Tunnel and we landed at Colonial Shag Club. Thanks to the initial start fueled by the late Sterling Nichols and his wife Dottie. Over the years, Colonial Shag Club became like home where I helped with weekly lessons at Mitty's, did homework, ate brick oven pizza, deejayed with Larry and Jerry Hardy, worked on spins and footwork with Tim Miller and snuck off upstairs to prepare for competitions with Justin and Cati. I would talk about life with Dottie and Sterling, Harry and Camile, Tim and Janet, and the list goes on ... Thank you Colonial Shag Club!
As we moved Northwest, we landed in Richmond where I often practiced with my first Nationals
partner, Amanda Tedesco, and even competed in many CSA contests there over the years. To
this day, I am still close with many in people in the area. Thank you, Richmond!
As a teenager, a club called Battlefield Boogie formed and Don, Audrey, Craig and Heather
trusted me to teach their first out-of-towner workshop. I remember the step I taught to this day
and thought how proud I felt to get the opportunity to travel and teach in my own state. I even
remember getting some gas money for the Mustang, too! Thank you, Battlefield Boogie!
I remember countless trips to Northern Virginia to the Northern Virginia Shag Club. My mom
navigated D.C. traffic to get me to the dances, but it was worth the four hour drive every time. I
would practice with Kari Jones, make up steps with Vesta, Vaughn and Cathy, Joan and
countless others who supported me and afforded us a place to dance. Thank you, Northern
Virginia!
There are clubs now in the state that continue to carry on the dance we love. I salute you.
Without your sacrifice and commitment, opportunities would not exist for young dancers like me.
Without clubs, I most likely would have never entered the competitive Shag arena. From the
bottom of my heart, thank you all.
To my family, without you, there is no me. My dad, Nana, stepfather Larry and my mother
would drive me up and down the road, bought me countless loafers, clothes to match partners
in competitions, funded lessons/coaching, and encouraged me to do my best. Perhaps the most
valuable lesson they taught me was to be gracious for the wins and the losses and provided
their shoulder when I needed it the most.
Last, but certainly not least... Mom, your tireless devotion to me and unconditional love and
support is beyond words. The dance, our family and I are extremely blessed to have you in our
corner continuing to pour your energy into all of us. You would practice with me in the garage
for hours and hours. You would take my dance videos away when I was grounded, you
encouraged me to learn all dance forms, gave me opportunities to teach, and even traveled the
world with me paying it forward. This award is just as much yours as it is mine. I certainly
would not be the dancer or the man I am without you. I love you, Mom.
Thank you again for the priceless memories and for a" the love and support for the last 25
years. I am forever in your debt.
Always a Virginia Junior Shagger at Heart!
Sincerely,
Brennar Goree
20 July 2023
Fellow Virginians,
Considering the recent nomination into the National Living Legends of Dance (NLLD), I wanted
to take a moment to express my sincerest gratitude to those across the state who impacted my
life over the years. I will write a formal letter to deliver for NLLD, but I wanted to first rewind and
thank the Virginia Shaggers Hall of Fame and the Shag Clubs across the state for making all
this possible for our family. To say I am honored and humbled to receive recognition from the
Virginia Shaggers Hall of Fame would be a vast understatement. No words could fully convey
my appreciation and thanks. Lord knows I could not have said all of this or probably held it
together on the mic, so I wanted to take the opportunity to show my appreciation to you all.
First, thank you to Ms. Joyce Burnley for having the initial vision to create an outlet to honor
those junior dancers in Virginia who have played an integral role in growing our dance. I loved
getting the opportunity to enter the Virginia Junior Hall of Fame alongside such an incredible
group of people. They are my brothers and sisters, my previous dance partners, my mentors,
and my long-time friends.
Thank you also to Mr. Steve Booth for always leading and speaking with such class and
charisma. Your introductions for everyone going in were well thought out, eloquent, and
delivered with thoughtful intent that honored each inductee in the most meaningful and unique
way. Bravo, sir! That said, I am certain Ms. Janis also plays a vital role in your planning and
preparation and her class is always unmatched. Thank you both for your kindness, support,
and consistent contributions to our state and the dance over the years. Berta would be proud of
the example you continue to set.
Thank you to the Shag Clubs who provided a means for me to grow in my dancing and teaching
through the years. I can honestly say, the Shag Clubs in Virginia played a huge role in my
growth and development as an aspiring dance professional. You all gave me a means to dance
and connect with people that did not require my mother having to drive to the Carolinas only to
progress. For that, we are forever grateful, and it is worth depicting my journey with each of the
clubs.
I first started in group classes at Steppin' Out in Virginia Beach with Larry and Cathy Williams
where I met my soon to become stepfather Larry and long-time friends, the late great Mr. Bill
Williams and his beautiful and talented wife Steva. I also met Grant, Ginger and the Poston's,
Ms. Jan, Fran, Jackie, and many others over the years who all treated me like family. So close
to home many of my fondest memories took place in Virginia Beach. I attended the National
Living Legends of Dance hosted by the late Berta Lull in '99 with my Nana at the Officers Club
in Little Creek. Berta would go on to adopt me like a son and support me beyond measure as I
grew up. In fact, years later, she even invited my Junior Shag Dance Team to perform as a
dress rehearsal every year before U.S. Open. Thank you for your support, Virginia Beach.
Boogie on the Bay also provided a location just a short drive away for us to go Shagging. I
remember going there to drill my footwork with Fran Harris, Marsha, Tom, and Cathy, learn line
dances and work on my boogie walk. I'll never forget going to the Chamberlain, taking from Jac
and Erin and dancing under the moonlight overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. What a party,
too ... of course only Cokes and Shirley Temples at that time! Thank you, Boogie on the Bay!
Just a short drive over the Hampton Roads Tunnel and we landed at Colonial Shag Club. Thanks to the initial start fueled by the late Sterling Nichols and his wife Dottie. Over the years, Colonial Shag Club became like home where I helped with weekly lessons at Mitty's, did homework, ate brick oven pizza, deejayed with Larry and Jerry Hardy, worked on spins and footwork with Tim Miller and snuck off upstairs to prepare for competitions with Justin and Cati. I would talk about life with Dottie and Sterling, Harry and Camile, Tim and Janet, and the list goes on ... Thank you Colonial Shag Club!
As we moved Northwest, we landed in Richmond where I often practiced with my first Nationals
partner, Amanda Tedesco, and even competed in many CSA contests there over the years. To
this day, I am still close with many in people in the area. Thank you, Richmond!
As a teenager, a club called Battlefield Boogie formed and Don, Audrey, Craig and Heather
trusted me to teach their first out-of-towner workshop. I remember the step I taught to this day
and thought how proud I felt to get the opportunity to travel and teach in my own state. I even
remember getting some gas money for the Mustang, too! Thank you, Battlefield Boogie!
I remember countless trips to Northern Virginia to the Northern Virginia Shag Club. My mom
navigated D.C. traffic to get me to the dances, but it was worth the four hour drive every time. I
would practice with Kari Jones, make up steps with Vesta, Vaughn and Cathy, Joan and
countless others who supported me and afforded us a place to dance. Thank you, Northern
Virginia!
There are clubs now in the state that continue to carry on the dance we love. I salute you.
Without your sacrifice and commitment, opportunities would not exist for young dancers like me.
Without clubs, I most likely would have never entered the competitive Shag arena. From the
bottom of my heart, thank you all.
To my family, without you, there is no me. My dad, Nana, stepfather Larry and my mother
would drive me up and down the road, bought me countless loafers, clothes to match partners
in competitions, funded lessons/coaching, and encouraged me to do my best. Perhaps the most
valuable lesson they taught me was to be gracious for the wins and the losses and provided
their shoulder when I needed it the most.
Last, but certainly not least... Mom, your tireless devotion to me and unconditional love and
support is beyond words. The dance, our family and I are extremely blessed to have you in our
corner continuing to pour your energy into all of us. You would practice with me in the garage
for hours and hours. You would take my dance videos away when I was grounded, you
encouraged me to learn all dance forms, gave me opportunities to teach, and even traveled the
world with me paying it forward. This award is just as much yours as it is mine. I certainly
would not be the dancer or the man I am without you. I love you, Mom.
Thank you again for the priceless memories and for a" the love and support for the last 25
years. I am forever in your debt.
Always a Virginia Junior Shagger at Heart!
Sincerely,
Brennar Goree