This podcast episode revisits the story of Monika, a professional dancer who has been performing the French Cancan in Paris since the 1960s. It follows her journey in auditioning for a famous cabaret dance troupe, facing challenges in pursuing her passion for dancing, and her success in teaching a can-can routine to amateur dancers. Stick around for an update on what Monika has been up to since the first episode aired!
Munica's dedication and passion for the cancan led her to unexpected new beginnings and a fulfilling life.
Teaching and choreographing cancan routines keeps Munica youthful and brings joy to herself and her students.
Deep dives
Discovering the French Can Can in 1960s Paris
In the 1960s, a young dancer named Munica discovered the French can can in Paris. Despite facing disapproval from her parents and the shift in popularity away from the dance, Munica pursued her dream of becoming a professional dancer by joining a renowned cabaret dance troupe. She toured Europe, performing can can and Russian dances with her dance partner Clodie. Eventually, Munica settled in Paris, married a pianist named Janie, and had a son named Carlo. After the sudden death of her husband, Munica gave up dancing and felt lost. However, through an unexpected turn of events, she found herself back in the spotlight, teaching can can and forming her own dance troupe in Nantes.
Rediscovering the Joy of Dance
At the age of 60, Munica got a new start in dance when she was invited to teach a can can routine to a non-profit dance troupe. The success of the performance reignited her passion and confidence. Munica started her own can can school and now leads her own dance troupe, finding inspiration and keeping herself youthful by being around young dancers and their energy. Through her dedication, Munica has found fulfillment in teaching and choreographing can can routines, bringing joy to herself and her students.
Continuing the Can Can Legacy
Since sharing her story in 2020, Munica Knapp has continued her work as a can can teacher and choreographer in Nantes, near Paris. Despite the temporary setbacks caused by COVID-19, Munica is back teaching with renewed energy. She invites anyone interested to join her workshops in Paris and carry on the tradition and joy of the can can. Munica's story exemplifies how pursuing one's passion can lead to unexpected new beginnings and a fulfilling life.
To celebrate France’s love of culture, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes featuring francophone artists and performers. This episode, the story of Monika, who has been dancing the French Cancan in Paris since the 1960s. Stick around until the end for an update on what Monika has been up to since the first episode aired!
A transcript of this episode is available at https://podcast.duolingo.com/french.
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