Line Dance Connection:	What's your name? Do you have any dance nicknames that you're known by?
Linda Shuler:	I was born Linda Marie Mix now Linda Marie Shuler. My family and lifelong friends call me Bird. My hustle/line dance nickname is FirstLady.
Line Dance Connection:	Where are you from and what city do you call home?
Linda Shuler:	I’m originally from Harlem, NY – (Flint) Flushing, MI is now my home.
Line Dance Connection:	What do you do in your professional life? Any hobbies outside of dance?
Linda Shuler:	I’m employed at Hurley Medical Center (28 yrs) and I currently work in the Pediatric Residency Program. I enjoy the outdoors and love camping with my family. I also enjoy cooking and traveling.
Line Dance Connection:	So what do they call this dance craze in your home town? Line Dancing, Hustling, Sliding, Other?
Linda Shuler:	Our main reference to this dance art is “Hustling”. However, over time, the term line dancing has become more prevalent.
Line Dance Connection:	Are you affiliated with any group or groups?
Linda Shuler:	From 1997-1999 we called ourselves Master Dancers. In 2000 we became Stone Hustlers, Inc., of Flint, MI
Line Dance Connection:	How long have you been dancing?
Linda Shuler:	I’ve been dancing all my life. In my elementary years it was jazz and square dancing. In my middle school years, I participated in organized dance (pom pom & pep squads). I continued that until I graduated high school.
Line Dance Connection:	How did you get involved in dancing?
Linda Shuler:	In the mid 70’s, my sister, some friends and I, use to make up steps to songs we liked. At that time, any steps done to a song by a group of people, was called the “Bus Stop”. We had no clue it was line dancing….LOL
Line Dance Connection:	After you attended your very first class, how did you feel?
Linda Shuler:	I was already instructing when I attended someone else’s class, in a different city, and learned/realized the “breakdown of a dance” method of teaching. I thought it to be an easier way of teaching and I’ve practiced that method ever since.
Line Dance Connection:	How did you get into choreography?
Linda Shuler:	I guess it just happened since I had already been creating steps to songs since the 70’s here in Flint. When we started meeting people from other cities, we just shared the dances we created. The term “Choreography” came into this arena later.
Line Dance Connection:	How many dances have you created and what was the very first dance you created?
Linda Shuler:	I created nine dances and collaborated on Twelve. The very first dance I created in (1999) is named, “I Need A Drink” off Sexy Dancer, by Prince.
Line Dance Connection:	Of all your dances which one would you say is your favorite?
Linda Shuler:	My favorite creation is my latest “A Quarter 2”, I think. I really love Burn also.
Line Dance Connection:	In your own words, what makes dancing special?
Linda Shuler:	Dancing allows me to be me and I get to do it the way I do and have fun while I’m on the floor. I also get to meet a lot of special people while dancing.
Line Dance Connection:	If you could change one thing about dancing, what would it be?
Linda Shuler:	I would change the rate at which dances are created and introduced into the hustling/line dance community. They are coming way too fast and a lot in the form of routines. Good line dances don’t stay in the rotation for any length of time anymore. It’s understandable though. The hustle/line dance arena has grown tremendously over the past 8 years. This brings a competitive nature to hustling and some always want their name in lights. I believe everyone has their turn to shine.
Line Dance Connection:	Tell me one thing about yourself that the dance community would find surprising.
Linda Shuler:	I am very emotional and tend to shed tears during the happy endings.