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Donn & Karen Knokey
Donn & Karen Knokey Married 37 years, this November, Karen always wanted to “go dancing”; while Donn used every excuse he could think of to prevent it! When the excuses ran out, Donn relented. They began with country-dance in the 1980‟s, but the „bar scene‟ became tedious and they actually quit dancing for about 8 years. They were reintroduced to country dancing in the „90‟s by some Portland friends and Paul & Tanya DeHart of Medford. In 1998 the Evergreen Ballroom opened in Central Point, and Donn‟s greatest fears were realized. Karen heard about it!!! The instructor, Tina Ferris, and the social atmosphere of the experience quickly overcame the trauma of his first night at the ballroom. All the while, Karen continued to smile.
When he discovered dance, particularly ballroom, was not necessarily bad for his health and machismo, Donn began to look at other dances available. It should be noted here, Karen likes to dance!!! The type of dance does not matter. As long as Donn will take her dancing she is happy.
They now focus on West Coast Swing and Night-Club 2 Step as their dances of choice and instruction. Donn likes to tell their students, “If you know the basics in West Coast Swing, Night-Club 2 Step, Cha-Cha, and Waltz, most social events you attend, that have music and dancing, you will dance a lot. It also doesn‟t hurt to know some Foxtrot and Country 2 Step.
Donn and Karen were invited to become instructors with the Thursday Night West Coast Swing Classes at the Evergreen Ballroom approximately 7 years ago. After the initial shock wore off, they agreed to teach the beginners (level 1), which they did for 2 years. Since then they have been in the rotation teaching all levels, 1, 2, & 3, and have been teaching private lessons in their home studio.
In 2003, they were encouraged to attend a West Coast Swing event called Boogie By the Bay, in San Francisco. That event convinced them to not only continue with dance, but to learn and grow as much as possible, and to share that knowledge with all they could, through the classes they taught at the ballroom. In 2004, they competed in their first “Strictly Swing” and “Jack & Jill” contests at Capital Swing in Sacramento, California. Since then, they are regular competitors at events from San Francisco and Sacramento, to Reno and Portland.
Donn and Karen believe the ability to meet new friends, while sharing laughs with old friends, through dance, is truly a gift not to be missed.
To reach Donn or Karen you can contact them at 541-855-1578 or email dknokey@wildblue.net.