TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
The Prairie River Middle School (PRMS) Auditorium was the place to be last weekend as Brooke’s School of Dance presented “Oh What Fun!” with five shows on May 7 and 8, 2022. The shows were once again open to the public and packed the auditorium.
The Christmas-themed show featured students performing routines in tap, jazz, lyrical, ballet, hip hop, and other styles, with students from about age two through young adults on stage. From Frosty the Snowman, Jingle Bell Rock, and Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree to Mele Kalikimaka, dancers celebrated the magical season of Christmas, dancing to familiar and less well-known songs, and even the Grinch made an appearance in Where Are You Christmas?
The little ones stole the show with their adorable antics, tap shoes, and twirls, while older students drew awed applause with pirouettes, grand jetés, back flips, aerial walkovers, synchronized routines, and more.
The routines featured in this weekend’s show won multiple awards during the April 2 and 2, 2022, GROOVE dance competition in Minneapolis, Minn., including nine routines that took first, second, or third place. Eight other routines took fourth through tenth place, and two routines were awarded Judge’s Choice. Brooke’s School of Dance also received the GROOVE Professionalism Award at the competition. “Out of 15 studios who participated, this award is given to the studio whose students and staff demonstrate the best sportsmanship to the other studios and their staff, as well as the GROOVE staff, and are the easiest and most professional to work with,” Brooke Burton, the studio’s owner explained. “We are SO proud of our students, staff, and families for receiving this honor!”
“Our underlying mission at Brooke’s School of Dance is to use quality dance education to empower kids to be confident, hard-working, and KIND individuals! These kids displayed that through their actions. These are the kinds of people we need in our society today to change the world! One smile at a time!” Burton said.