Steamboat Pilot & Today

As a group of first-grade girls dressed in sequined pink outfits danced to the tune of "My Girl," Tamara Bereznak called out pointers.

"This is the audience," Bereznak said, pointing at a sheet with an audience painted on it that covered the mirror in the dance studio. "I want you to smile and look at the audience."

The girls quickly smiled wide and looked ahead, all while dancing. The class was preparing for the Let's Dance Studio Spring Dance Program.

When the dance ended, Bereznak, owner of Let's Dance, asked the girls to practice it again.

Before the music began, she set the mood.

"Pretend the curtains are closed, pretend you're behind the curtain," Bereznak said. "The curtain opens. Big smiles."

And the dance began.

This year's performance includes 24 dance pieces covering all forms of dance -- children's creative dances, ballet, modern jazz, hip-hop, tap and more. Dancers of all ages, from 3 years old to adult, are involved.

"I have to offer everything," Bereznak said about her varied dance programs. "I think the students I get prefer that they get a smattering of everything."

The introduction to different types of dance makes for well-rounded people, she said. It also lets them experience a range of things so they are better equipped to choose what they like most.

And the classes help choose what they learn, she said. For instance, the first-graders are performing a dance to a Lizzie McGuire tune that they chose.

Sabrina Ray, 7, said she liked being on stage and performing.

"Then you get to be, like, on a tape or something, and that's the most fun part," she said.

Cala McCollum, 7, agreed, saying that performing made her feel "halfway famous." People in the community often recognize dancers after the performance, she said.

She said she wasn't nervous because she's been on stage before. Instead, she said she was excited.

Ashlee Gingerich, 7, said she felt kind of nervous. "It's scary," she said.

Bereznak told the girls that some people call that feeling butterflies.

Girls in the second and third grade waited outside the dance studio for the first-graders to finish. Hayley Johnson, 8, said her favorite part of dancing is the free dance, where you can make up your own moves.

Nicole Williams, 8, said she liked how "you can dance without thinking -- that feels great."

Johnson said she was nervous and excited, and Williams said she only is nervous that she could mess up.

"There will be lots of people standing out, just staring at you," Johnson said.

Gay Linke's daughter and son are involved in the programs, which Linke said provide structure, socialization and good activity.

Watching her kids perform is a great part of the program, she said.

"You're so proud that they can remember the steps and they're standing up tall and they're smiling and getting a thrill out of it," Linke said.

It's not just parents who enjoy the show, Bereznak said. The entire community often comes out to support local dancers. In fact, the audience grows each year -- last year almost 250 people came, she said.

People enjoy the "smiles, the costumes, the recognition," she said. Most people who go find at least a few familiar faces on stage.

With just a week before the performance, she said the dancers likely were feeling a mix of emotions.

"They're a little nervous because it's last minute and they know they're going to be performing," she said.

But along with that, they feel a lot of excitement.

The Let's Dance Studio Spring Dance Program is at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Soroco High School Auditorium. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, and children 12 and younger get in free.