KFES was pleased to offer the return of our FREE After School Dance program this year to all elementary and middle school students. The season started in October with 89 students participating for all or part of the season. As a tradition, students’ first performance was in the KFES Christmas Program, but the program also extended into the end of February for elementary students and the end of March for middle school students to perform in the KFMS talent show. Extending the program allowed time for students to create dance choreography performances for their families and friends and grow their skills (studio dancers normally dance year round). Our local studio, Northern Dance Theatre, even let the 4th grade dancers borrow costumes for their performances.
The classes were taught by Mrs. Olson, the elementary arts teacher, who has been dancing locally with NDT for over 25 years. Teaching a mix of contemporary, ballet, jazz, and hip hop dance styles in the elementary school lunch room, classes offer a balance between structured dance technique and movement exploration through contemporary creative dance activities. An elementary student highlight for many years, Mrs. Olson took over running the program in 2014. Sadly, social distancing guidelines shut down the program for two years, but now it is back! For any interested parents or students, classes will resume again in the fall of 2023.
