Ex-pediatrician teaches line dancing at Sun City Aliante
Xiaoli Huang and her husband of 45 years, Zheng Fan, of North Las Vegas, spent their early lives researching cures to HIV and other diseases.
The couple, both 70 and from Shanghai, China, went to school for medicine; Huang worked as a pediatrician, while Fan was a physician for a few years. They moved to the United States as visiting scholars at the University of Pittsburgh in 1987, at the height of HIV and AIDS research in the U.S.
When they became research professors a few years later, they joined the school’s ballroom-dancing club to de-stress, Huang said. They learned quickly and began hosting parties for friends. They also participated in several performances via the university’s dance instructors.
During their research, they participated in a clinical study in which medical professionals, social workers and researchers worked with about 3,000 patients, Fan said. During a twice-yearly workshop, the professionals taught patients how to get treatment and live with their disease, Huang said. The workshops were mostly somber and saddening, and Huang said ballroom dancing was one of the best medicines they could have provided to patients.
“When they danced, it was unbelievable. They were so happy,” Huang said. “They are very skinny; they are sick people, but when they dance, they feel the music. They forget everything, so we feel very good to help them.”
Now, Huang is teaching line dancing to elderly adults, some with health conditions, at Sun City Aliante in North Las Vegas. The group, Club DIAL, started about four years ago. Lil Rothstein was one of the four founders and the main dance instructor.
Before Rothstein died from cancer nearly two years ago, she asked Huang to take over. Huang has been teaching since and only takes days off when she goes on vacation, she said. About 25 people regularly attend the classes, Huang said.
Huang said she learned from Rothstein about line dancing and taught herself by watching YouTube videos. She selects her own music — although she also takes requests from participants — and she comes up with new dances each week as long as the students have mastered the previous moves. Her husband attends every class and assists, but does not instruct.
Dance club members agree that Club DIAL has more than just a physical benefit.
“The activity is good for your brain to have to remember all of these steps,” Club DIAL co-founder Sharon Benac said. She assists with teaching when Huang is out.
Mike Omeara and his wife, Sunee, moved to Sun City Aliante in April. They said they found out about the club from the community’s magazine. Mike Omeara said they continue to go because they enjoy Huang’s teaching style.
“I think she’s very patient and she’s a loud speaker,” he said. “She’ll give us a new dance and take us through the steps one by one. Just watching her, she’s very graceful and elegant.”
The club also meets twice a month at social dances held for Sun City Aliante residents. Residents can invite friends who are not Sun City Aliante residents.
Huang and Fan participate in other activities at Sun City Aliante, including zumba, swimming and the pingpong club. Many members of the pingpong club also join the dance class, Huang said.
Contact Kailyn Brown at kbrown@viewnews.com or 702-387-5233. Follow @kailynhype on Twitter.
Club DIAL
Meaning: DIAL is short for dance in a Line
Where: Sun City Aliante, 7394 Aliante Parkway
When: 6:30 p.m. Mondays
Who’s eligible: Club DIAL is only offered to Sun City Aliante residents
More information: 702-638-5065 or suncityaliantenlv.com
