The annual Sun Valley Ballet School Spring Showcase will take place Thursday, May 13, and Friday, May 14, at 6:30 p.m.at the nexStage Theatre in Ketchum. The highlight of this year's show will be a father-daughter dance number.
"We often have fathers in character roles but we've never had them in a dance like this before," said school Co-Director Jill Brennan. "Bring your hankies. It's a tear-jerker for sure."
Each year, between 120 and 140 students receive dance education and performance opportunities through the Sun Valley Ballet School, practicing at the YMCA in Ketchum and at the Hailey studio on Silver Street, just off Main Street. Dancers participate in up to four classes every week, with additional training for senior dancers.
< Every spring in the middle of May, the Sun Valley Ballet School performs a fun and fast-paced "Spring Showcase" that gives all of the school's dancers an opportunity to step outside the traditional ballet box and perform jazz, modern and lyrical ballet.
The spring show, which lasts about an hour, is an opportunity to present all ages and skill levels at the school, but the 3-year-old Creative Movement dancers don tutus and invariably steal the show.
Dancers aged 4-18 will dance with their fathers to the well-known wedding ballad "Angel in My Arms," by Jack Kapanka.
"The father-daughter dance is something that is done traditionally at some ballet schools. It brings tears to your eyes," said Brennan.
Thursday night's show will feature the school's younger dancers, ages 3-6, from Ketchum. Friday night will feature dancers of the same ages from Hailey.
Both nights will feature all dancers from second grade up, along with their fathers.
Nina Hirner, who danced the lead in "Alice and Wonderland" and "The Nutcracker" this year at the ballet school, will be graduating this spring from Wood River High School, and from the ballet school. She will perform a solo dance both nights.
For more information, e-mail sunvalleyballet@gmail.com or call 726-9876.
Tony Evans: tevans@mtexpress.com