Like little elves, young dancers have been busy preparing something to tantalize your senses this holiday season. "Dance Xplosion" is ready to "Celebrate the Season of Joy" through dance and music.

Dance instructor Brynn Kenyon has been hard at work honing in 12 young dancers, ages 3 to 14, for this special holiday program since September.

"We started preparing for this Christmas gig right after the fair," Kenyon said. "The kids have had to learn discipline and how to work together to get it just perfect."

There are definite challenges when you have to play the same Christmas carol over, and over, and over and over again, she said. "The older kids are pretty good at being patient and understanding with one another." But the younger kids, well it seems like that is more of a challenge for Kenyon. She said this group gets a bit frustrated doing the same thing multiple times, and "you can just see it on their faces."

The hard work sure has paid off though. Kenyon is excited to bring "Dance Xplosion: Celebrate the Season of Joy" to Thompson Falls for the first time ever. The show will feature a wide variety of music and dancing flare.

Kenyon said the musical lineup ranges from Garth Brooks to The Nutcracker, from Feliz Navidad to Winter Wonderland. Dancing styles will range from jazz to ballroom. Duo Billy Largent and Madison Suttorp, both 13 years old, will entertain spectators with ballroom dancing in synch with Tony Bennett's 1968 classic, "Winter Wonderland," which Kenyon said is just beautiful and will be a special treat for everyone.

Kenyon has been dancing for 56 years, teaching for 30. She has been in Thompson Falls teaching dance for five years, after relocating from Phoenix. She has students ranging from 3 years of age to 76.

Kenyon offers many different dance classes based on skill level and method. She starts the youngsters out with a basic creative movement class, to get the little ones up and moving without any real specific dance movement.

Beyond that, she offers two levels of tiny tot classes, three levels of jazz dance, tap, and a lyrical class that emphasizes on expressive ballet with a contemporary feel; "similar to what you would see on 'Dancing with the Stars,'" Kenyon explains. Adult dance classes are also offered multiple times throughout the week.

Although this year's Christmas show features young dancers only, Kenyon did comment that her adult students may be putting something together for springtime entertainment.

"Some adults want to take it to the stage, but others are not quite ready to do that yet," Kenyon amusingly stated. She said the show is in the planning stages, so we will have to wait a few months and see what transpires.

The group is on a semi-annual performance schedule. They regale at the Huckleberry Festival every August in Trout Creek, and will continue to perform at this venue. They are also planning to continue their Christmas gig in years to come.

"We have worked so long and so hard to get to this point, of having our own show," said Kenyon. "I cannot wait to see if we can fill the Rex."

She also gave credit to many supportive parent boosters. "They made it all happen," Kenyon said. Parents of the dancers helped to provide shirts, signs and raised funds to help make their dreams of becoming stand-alone show stars a reality.

Mark your calendars for this paramount event taking place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Rex Theatre. Tickets are $5 for an adult; children are free when accompanied with a paying adult. Tickets can be purchased at D&D Liquor and First Security Bank.

Shana Neesvig

For more information on dance classes contact Kenyon at 406-404-5937 or email [email protected].