Legendary LA Dance Teacher Retires at End of This School Year
By John Bishop

GROTON, Mass. — How does one define 32 years of teaching? In the case of Lawrence Academy’s Brian Feigenbaum P’09, ’12, you can’t.

So, instead, Head of School Dan Scheibe P’23 sought to define the feeling the long-time dance, Winterim, and humanities teacher brought to the elm-tree-shaded hillside.

Referencing Leo Tolstoy’s writings, and speaking to those gathered in the Richardson-Mees Performance Art Center (RMPAC), Scheibe explained that the philosopher and writer said, “Art is any activity by which we commune with each other. And then [Tolstoy wrote] art in the broad sense of the word penetrates our entire life.

“And in that way, Brian, your life, your teaching, has been both an art form and a gift to us.”

Scheibe also noted that Tolstoy wrote, “Art is when one person consciously communicates to others by means of certain external signs, some feelings which that person has experienced.”

Thus, Scheibe asked himself, “What is the feeling that Brian has consistently communicated over his career and his work?

"It's the feeling of delight,” answered the head.

Again, defining delight—just like defining Feigenbaum—is easier said than done.

“Fundamentally, delight means a state of great pleasure, satisfaction or happiness," explained Scheibe. “It’s a feeling of deep joy and contentment, often arising from unexpected or enjoyable experiences.”

All of those things track.

But so does another explanation of delight, with a heavy focus on—well—the “light.”

You see where this is going, right?

“When the English folks got their hands on the root words of ‘delight,’ they wanted to actually bring light into it," said Dan. "They added that part.

“So in the spirit of Omnibus Lucet, our motto—‘The light shines for all’—Brian’s been bringing the light out of students, and shining light for all of us for all these years.

“We couldn’t be more appreciative, and we’re so excited for these awesome final two performances.”

Mr. Feigenbaum’s last performance is at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 22, in the RMPAC.