Sunshine Brings Music and Dance to the Generations

As the upbeat sounds of the Beach Boys played in the background, Katya Reimer led a group of youngsters through a series of dance movements.

The class, just one of a handful offered by Sunshine Generation, a performance group led by Reimer, danced and sang at Diamond Bar’s YMCA facility. The music echoed through the center.

With an encouraging but firm hand, she ran through the latest moves and songs with a watchful eye on details.

“Everyone stops at the same time,” she reminded everyone at the end of one routine.

Those classes have almost become a staple of sorts for people. Reimer has taught the courses for 23 years. And now some of the children of those youngsters who she taught long ago are part of Sunshine Generation.

“Not only does it get young people involved in something worthwhile, not only does it teach them lots of dance, not only does it give them opportunity to develop their singing, it teaches them to become comfortable with themselves and in front of others,” Reimer said.

She and the children are allowed to be silly or make mistakes or squeak when they are singing, she said. They stumble, they may even trip, “but, when we get it right, whatever our personal best may be, the self-esteem and self-confidence comes from putting the effort forth and learning that we can do it!” Reimer said.

Reimer has two grown daughters who were also involved in the program growing up.

“Having children of my own helped me relate to children and understand how to be a great teacher but it also showed me how my program benefited them because both of them had the ‘I Can Do It’ attitude, they have both set high goals for themselves and persevered long enough to accomplish them,” she said. “And during their growing up years, I had the joy of listening to them singing their hearts out in the shower or in the bathtub every evening!  Our home was full of joy.”

The performance groups are the Singing Sunbeams, for ages 3 to 5, the Sundance group for ages 6 to 8, a transition group heading into middle school for ages 9 to 11, and the Sound Station group the older youngsters up to age 17.

There are classes in Diamond Bar, Hacienda Heights, San Dimas and Whittier. For more information visit Sunshine Generation’s website.