Joel Ruminer of Little Rock once studied under Fred Astaire, was the longtime choreographer for the Miss Arkansas pageant and fostered the dance careers of thousands of central Arkansas youngsters as owner of Joel's House of Dance.
In 1985, when actor and legendary tapper Gregory Hines appeared on the David Letterman Show, the late-night host pressed Hines for his opinion of the best tap dancer ever. Hines replied: "A dance teacher you've probably never heard of -- Joel Ruminer."
Ruminer died Thursday morning after a week's stay at Baptist Health Medical Center. He was 75. He had entered the hospital for what he thought was pneumonia but was diagnosed with an unspecified cancer, longtime friend and former dance partner Molly Cozart said.
Cozart said Ruminer, known to many as "Mr. Joel," began dancing at 3 at the former Dorothy Donaldson Dance Studio at Fourth and Main streets. She and Ruminer tap danced together in 1951 when she was 12 and he was about 16. Ruminer's studio on 12th Street became the hub for aspiring dancers when the Donaldson studio closed.
Cozart said she and Ruminer danced and gave demonstrations all over the state, including a gig at the old Vapor's nightclub in Hot Springs. They were once called the "Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers of Little Rock." She also taught at his studio and on occasion witnessed Ruminer's strictness with students.
"He loved them, but he also disciplined them," she said. "He taught them character and he taught them morals."
The life lessons came at the displeasure of some parents. Ruminer and Cozart once went five weeks without talking after she expressed dismay over it. Ruminer also scheduled recitals at Robinson Auditorium every Father's Day, another point of contention with parents.
Bradi Cozart, Molly Cozart's daughter and a student and teacher of Ruminer's, said her mother and Ruminer were like siblings.
"They fought like brothers and sisters, and they loved like brothers and sisters," Bradi Cozart said.
In the decades Ruminer choreographed the Miss Arkansas pageant, he was the ultimate professional -- "a calming force" -- in many a high-stress situation, said Stacey Jones, University of Arkansas at Fort Smith associate vice chancellor for campus and community events and producer for the Miss Arkansas pageant. One year, Ruminer performed with former Miss Arkansas Micki Konecny and "they brought the house down," Jones said.
"He's going to be missed by the dance community in the state of Arkansas, Miss Arkansas and a bunch of folks throughout this country," Jones said.
Ruminer-trained students include Jackie Troup Miller, who performed in the movie Singin' in the Rain and toured with band leader Tommy Dorsey; jazz choreographer Marcus Alford; Broadway performer Andrew Carr; and tap instructor Persis Ann Forster. His out-of-state dance camps for jazz, ballet and tap drew instructors of great renown, such as Mikhail Baryshnikov.
An encounter with performer Donny Osmond during one of Ruminer's dance camps in Branson led to his dancers opening for Osmond at the singer's theater.
"His senior line always looked like a professional chorus line," Cozart said. "He was such a great instructor and was so technique-oriented. There was no competition -- it was all technique and style."
In 2008, Ruminer had a heart attack, which eventually led to the closing of his studio. Since then, he had worked for Roller-Drummond Funeral Home in Little Rock. Cozart said it was work he enjoyed and it provided him a chance to continue to see and help his friends at services.
He is survived by his mother, Hila Ruminer of Little Rock. Arrangements for a memorial service are under the direction of Roller-Drummond.
State Desk on 04/15/2016