Hear the Founder Talk about The Pacemakers: Dancers Over 60.

We chatted with member (and dancer) Susan Avery along with Fran Goldstein. Susan is the founder of the Pacemakers Senior-Citizens Dance Team, a troupe of folks, ages 61-86, who proudly wear their ages on the backs of their costumes. Why? Because, they say, getting older is a badge of honor. Linda is a proud member of the team!

Susan was a career journalist who dreamed of being a dancer. In 2017, at age 57, she learned that the Brooklyn Cyclones, a New York Mets minor-league team, was starting a dance team. She auditioned, and was shocked when she earned a spot, dancing alongside teammates who were in their teens and 20s. During the season, some strangers took to the internet to say she was way too old to dance in public.

The cruel cyber-bullying led her to believe that her dancing days were over. That was, until her daughter suggested that she start an “old-person dance team.”

So Susan did. She put out an audition ad in Playbill and soon had 16 senior dancers. The Brooklyn Cyclones got wind of her new endeavor and invited the team to perform during a game. They received a standing ovation and since then, their dance card is full year ’round.

Today, the Pacemakers are 50 members strong and they perform all over the country and internationally.