La Conner Weekly News - Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper

By Judy Booth

“Get up offa that thing … dance and you’ll feel better!”

– James Brown

Whether you’re a six-year-old aspiring ballerina or a closeted John Travolta, Skagit Valley is chuck-full of dance performance and instruction.

“May I have this dance?” begins Taylor Winningham’s introduction to dance etiquette on his Anacortes web site. His advice, while apropos, also shows his sense of humor and laid back, but very professional teaching style.

After studying ballet and jazz, Winningham studied ballroom with Fred Astaire studios, competing, teaching and performing until leaving to start his own studio in Arizona.

Dancing in stage productions such as “Foot Loose” and performing at Super Bowl XXX, with twenty years of study under his feet, he is sure to make you believe you can dance!

He landed in Anacortes when an opportunity presented itself. Yay for us!

“He’s a great teacher and makes it easy to learn as an adult. The private lessons are super valuable because you just learn so much when you are one-on-one and group classes are fun because you get to dance with other people. I think we are so lucky to have a teacher of his caliber here in Anacortes,” said Amaya Pryce, an adult student.

“I love to dance and teach. One of my greatest joys is to get my students to that place where they are in a real partnership – not just two bodies doing the same dance steps but dancing as one with their partner and the music,” says Winningham.

Check out his swing classes, waltz, salsa, cha-cha-cha and – this November – The Hustle! Christmas gift certificates as well as sign-up lessons are available at http://www.winprods.com or call 602-657-4031.

A nutcracker, usually made to resemble a toy soldier, magically becomes a prince and wages battle with the evil Mouse King. So begins “The Nutcracker,” the story inspiring Tchaikovsky’s ballet.

Skagit Valley Academy of Dance has been performing “The Nutcracker “longer than any other ballet company in Western Washington other than PNW Ballet and is performing it again this holiday season at McIntyre Hall. Tickets online at http://www.ticketing.mcintyrehall.org. Hurry, it runs Dec 2-4.

SVAD has been in operation since 1967; they offer ballet, tap, acrobatics, jazz, pointe and hip hop. Set your stars-in-her eyes six-year-old ballerina on her way to the performing arts, but more importantly encourage him or her to develop grace, technique and self-confidence. And maybe perform at McIntyre Hall one day! More info at: http://www.skagitvalleyacademyofdance.com.

“Planting the seeds of a dance education is pivotal for the next generation’s development of competencies and creative skills in all areas of life,” notes Tom Mayock, professional teaching artist and former SVAD student.

Kim Hargrove, owner of Happy Valley Dance, just celebrated her 40th year teaching social dance. “I started out teaching country and it has expanded into east coast and west coast swing.”

You can find her at the Cook Road Grange in Burlington – no need to bring a partner as there are plenty of people to dance with.

Tuesdays are line dancing and Thursday is partner dancing. Lessons begin at 7 p.m. Walk-ins welcome. Contact Hargrove at [email protected].

Yvonne Cox has been teaching at Burlington’s Academy of Dance for thirty years offering young students ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop and theatre.

BAOD, family focused, participates in community activities – like the Harvest Pumpkin Festival in Burlington, back-to-school fairs and dance competitions. For such a small community these students have received high awards from Ms. Starbound, America’s largest dance competition and Dance Educators of America.

Their next performance will be the June dance recital, with over 80 students performing. Imagine, choreographing 80 kids – some as young as two. Email: [email protected]

In Anacortes, Fidalgo Academy of Dance is also presenting “The Nutcracker” at Brodniak Hall at Anacortes High School Dec. 9-10. Their winter celebration performance follows, also at Brodniak Hall.

FAOD offers preschool, parent /toddler movement, tap, ballet and offers a unique class – dance for Parkinson’s. Information: fidalgodanceworks.org.

“It brought me joy; taught me how to meet and set goals and keep going when things become difficult and strive for more. With more than 25 years experience, I still love it,” says Linda Johnston, assessing her career as a teacher, choreographer and director.

So what are you waiting for? ”Get up offa that thing.”