Summerlin group celebrates the season with dance

Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008 | 11:45 a.m.

Marking the spirit of the season through dance, the International Dance Education Academy Pas De Deux will perform its annual holiday show at the Summerlin Library at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 12 and 13.

For the first time in its existence, the dance academy for youth scaled back on costume and set costs so that members of the community can attend the performances for $5.

"Because of the economic situation, we made everything simple but the dancing," said Carole Sampson, artistic director of the dance academy. "It's still a big, fun holiday performance, but now everyone can come."

The show, which has 22 dancers, will last for an hour and showcase about 20 dances that range from ballet to jazz connected through the theme of holidays. Also for the first time, some of the long-time members of the academy have choreographed a few of the dances that will be performed.

Taylor Manney, a senior at Las Vegas Academy, has been in the academy for five years and choreographed a lyrical dance to the song "Mary Did You Know?" Lyrical dancing is moving your body to reflect the meaning of the words of the song.

"The dance movements go along with the accent, beat and tone of the music," she said. "There is a lot of variety in the show and it's exciting not to have a set story line. The show will be a great way to get people into the holiday spirit."

Manney has been under the tutelage of Sampson, who has danced professionally around the world. As a native of South Africa, Sampson has owned several dance studios across Africa and was one of the first dancers from Africa to perform on the Strip in the show "Jubilee."

Sampson started the International Dance Education Academy in September 2003 and has enjoyed teaching youth how to dance.

"These students are very talented and hard working," she said. "They put on a great show."

Jenny Davis can be reached at 990-8921 or jenny.davis@hbcpub.com.