Class of 1976 | Greenfield-Central High School
Debbie Brinkman Wilkerson was first introduced to dance by a local dance instructor, She showed promise and attended the Butler University Jordan College of the Arts to pursue her dream. Rather than perform, she returned to Greenfield to teach. Wilkerson Dance Studio began in an empty room in Debbie’s mother’s house and grew to be a Greenfield institution of 43 years that has positively affected the lives of over 10,750 young people for three generations.
Debbie credits her high school counselor, Mr. Gardner, for recognizing her desire to have dance as her career and finding ways that G-C could help her accomplish that dream. She also fondly remembers Glenn “Doc” Barrett, G-CHS’ drama director, as a “gentle, enthusiastic, brilliant man who had so much passion for the stage and his students. Doc encouraged me to dance, choreograph and teach. He got me involved in community theater and made me choreographer for many of his shows. It was here that I found my gift for teaching, and he encouraged me as I started my dance studio. I try to encourage passion and instill confidence in my dancers like he gave to me.”
Many of Debbie’s graduates have studied dance in college, worked in professional ballet companies, or own their own dance studios. Others have danced for Disney Productions or been members of the Indianapolis Colts cheerleaders or Indiana Pacers Pacemates. They learned confidence, camaraderie and an appreciation of the arts. Debbie has assisted them in pursing their own dreams.
In 1982 Debbie became a member of Dance Educators of America, receiving her lifetime membership in 2012. She has also earned accreditation with the International Dance Teachers Association. Debbie was a professional dancer at the Pan Am Games opening ceremony, produced by Walt Disney World and televised world-wide. In 2015 and 2016, she choreographed the Pink Glove Dance for Hancock Regional Hospital, a dance video entry into a contest promoting Cancer Research and Awareness.
Beyond her own studio and activities, Debbie enjoys nurturing youth in her community. Debbie oversees the Greenfield Parks and Recreation’s dance oriented programs, Golden Girls and Junior Blue Fusion. Both programs develop young dancers and helps the G-CHS dance program to be award winners. The Parks Department recognized her in 2011 for outstanding service to the City of Greenfield. Debbie also assists G-CHS in its musical stage productions. For over 10 years, she has given time and energy to being the Director of Choreography, spending hours providing choreography and technical dance instruction. She has created a curriculum and taught a high school class called Dance Lab. Debbie is the treasurer of the Ricks Centre’s Friends of the Theatre Board of Directors. She was instrumental in reviving the Greenfield Christmas show, now called the Christmas at the Ricks, which debuted in 2018.
Debbie shares, “I am privileged to oversee the dance education of each child that comes through my door. I am a big proponent of teaching children more than dance. We teach self-confidence, respect, manners, inclusion, leadership and so much more. I truly believe that it takes many people to raise a child and I hope that my studio plays a positive and important role.”
Debbie is honored and esteemed by myriad individuals and community organizations. Says Ellen Kuker of the Parks and Recreation department, “Debbie’s professional approach to her programs and her dance studio is a testament to the great reputation she and her programs enjoy in our community. Girls thrive under Debbie’s leadership.” Debbie is the source of many grateful people from G-CHS, former students, employees, and dance coaches, to parents and community members. All credit Debbie with instilling self-confidence, creating passion for the arts, helping others accomplish great things, and changing lives.
“I did not appreciate the impact that my mother had on my career until much later in my life,” says Debbie. “My mother, Ann Brinkman Schreiber, was an entrepreneur at heart. Through starting and running several different businesses during my childhood, she showed me that trying something new and even failing was ok.” She encouraged her daughter and taught Debbie the nuts and bolts of running a successful business. “The most important thing she taught me, and the message I would want kids to have, is ‘don’t let fear of failing keep you from trying,’” concludes Debbie.
Nominator Tim Adkins says, “Debbie’s roots are in Greenfield, where she has remained true to the community that helped raise her and allowed her family to blossom.” Debbie and her husband, high school sweetheart Steve, are the parents of Ross and Jesse. Congratulations, Debbie!