The Rhythm of the Valley

Brooklyn Besz | Writer  

Capturing the spirit of connection through dance

As the leaves begin to turn and the temperature drops in the Lehigh Valley, a sense of warmth can be found every week on the wooden floors of Lotus Spring Farms located in New Tripoli and CJ Hummels in Lenhartsville. Here, the simple act of stepping to a beat is creating a new sense of community, proving that some traditions are best enjoyed in a straight line.  

Though commonly associated with the 1990s country music boom, line dancing's roots are not  exclusive to that genre. Popular dances like the "Electric Slide" were choreographed to disco music in the 1970s. As its popularity grew, the dance evolved and continued to thrive into the 2000s, proving it  was more than just a fleeting trend. 

With over five years of experience, line dance instructor Aleah Nothstein has made sharing her love for the dance her primary joy. 

"Line dancing is my favorite escape that I love to share with others,"  said Nothstein, who runs Stomp and Shine with Aleah. 

She views the dance as a passion that helps her heal and build confidence. This belief is at the heart of her teaching philosophy, which focuses on creating a fun, welcoming space for everyone. 

"I break down the steps in a simple, approachable way so that when students attempt other dances, they will have the confidence to keep  learning," she said.

Her motto is, "Never give up on something that makes you smile." 

That welcoming philosophy is what drew Samantha Cruz, a regular in Aleah’s classes, to the  dance floor at Lotus Spring Farms. 

“My favorite part is getting to add my own flare,” she said. “Whether it be a spin or a hair flip to make an otherwise simple thing my own.” 

For Cruz, this sense of personal expression is only matched by the supportive community she found, and she said the people she surrounds herself with always put a “smile on her face.” 

From the first step onto the dance floor to the people you surround yourself with, line dancing is a fun escape where people can connect with others and find themselves. The dancers show that even in the digital world, a simple activity like moving to music together can create real, lasting friendships.