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Rocky Mountain Dance recital starts tonight in Steamboat

Jack Weinstein
Suzy Magill, 5, right, dances around before having her picture taken Wednesday. Suzy is part of the group “Magic Tutus,” which will perform at the annual Rocky Mountain Dance recital at 6:30 p.m. today and Saturday.
Matt Stensland

If you go

What: Rocky Mountain Dance annual recital

When: 6:30 p.m. today and Saturday

Where: Steamboat Springs High School auditorium

Cost: Tickets sold at the door are $12 for adults and $5 for children





Suzy Magill, 5, right, dances around before having her picture taken Wednesday. Suzy is part of the group “Magic Tutus,” which will perform at the annual Rocky Mountain Dance recital at 6:30 p.m. today and Saturday.
Matt Stensland

“Magic Tutus,” a dance group composed of 10 girls ages 4 and 5, practice for its annual Rocky Mountain Dance recital, which is at 6:30 p.m. today and Saturday. Matt Stensland

— Some of the youngest performers in this weekend’s Rocky Mountain Dance recital weren’t shy about discussing their talent Wednesday afternoon.

“We’re all fabulous dancers,” 4-year-old Annabelle Stone said.

The annual recital, which has taken place since Karin Comeau opened Rocky Mountain Dance in 1977, starts at 6:30 p.m. today and Saturday in the Steamboat Springs High School auditorium.



The title of this year’s Rocky Mountain Dance recital reflects Comeau’s view on dance. It’s called “La Vita è Una Danza,” which means “life is a dance” in Italian.

“That’s kind of what we’re about,” she said. “We dance through life.”



The recital will feature performances from 175 students ranging in age from 3 years old to high schoolers. With help from four assistants — all former students of Comeau’s — the dancers will perform 28 ballet, jazz, hip hop and lyrical numbers during the two-hour show.

Comeau, who started teaching dance in Fort Collins when she was 16, said the performance would include “one fun number after another,” entertaining everyone who attends.

The recital is the culmination of nine months of preparation, Comeau said. She said the girls — there are no boys in this year’s show — were taught technique in the fall, working toward the dances they’ll perform tonight and Saturday.

She said they’re also taught stage directions, how to take care of their costumes and appropriate stage behavior.

Annabelle and the other “Magic Tutus,” a group composed of 10 girls ages 4 and 5, were having their picture taken Wednesday. The girls beamed while discussing the recital.

Hamptyn Meadows, 5, was especially excited to show off the group’s “pretty” costumes — purple leotards and purple tutus.

Five-year-old Caroline Landers was looking forward to the spotlight of performing.

“We get to be on stage,” she said, adding “we get flowers at the end.”

Comeau said each of the girls’ fathers present them with flowers at the end of the performance. She called the Rocky Mountain Dance recital a “magical thing.”

“I always grew up with an annual show as a child,” Comeau said. “Those are great memories. I hope it’s the same for these kids. It’s a very special night.”

Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for students. Proceeds will pay for expenses to produce the recital.


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