If you know someone who has taken a tap class in Little Rock throughout the last 47 years, you probably know someone who knows Mr. Joel. Over the weekend, hundreds of former, present, and future students and friends of Joel Ruminer packed the UALR theater for a tribute to a teacher who is not only known well in Arkansas, but throughout the world.

In fact, in 1985, famous tap dancer Gregory Hines told David Letterman that the best tap dancer ever was Joel Ruminer.

And his students would agree.

(Joel Ruminer, Teacher) “I am still overwhelmed. You can tell right now.”

(Judge Reinhold, Actor) “It means a lot to me to be asked to honor Mr. Joel tonight.”

The 28th highest grossing actor of all time--known best for his role in Beverly Hills Cop--Judge Reinhold, emceed the event. His wife, Amy Miller, is from Little Rock, and took classes from Joel for 15 years.

(Amy Miller-Reinhold, Former Student) “Mr. Joel was the most encouraging person you could ever meet. You walked in and you just knew it was a place for an hour or two hours a week you got love, encouragement, and commitment--and a hug. And then you're sent back out into your week. As a kid, you can't top that.”

(Judge Reinhold) “It's real obvious to me that Mr. Joel is one of those Mr. Holland kind of guys. One of those teachers that you never forget.”

The event raised money for the Joel Ruminer Endowment Fund for Dance, which will offer scholarships and support for UALR's dance program.

(Ruminer) “That means so much to me, knowing that the arts are being supported this way in Arkansas.”

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