Submitted by Thea Huijgen Dance

On Sunday, March 26, Lopez Center for Community and the Arts will be buzzing with activity of volunteers and dance students getting ready for a ballet showcase. Over the past months, young dancers have been practicing hard on their ballet technique and performance skills under the direction of Thea Huijgen.

Born in the Netherlands, Thea became a professional dancer with Het Folkloristish Danstheater in Amsterdam. She later moved to California, and then after living in various locations in Washington, she took a bike vacation that brought her to Lopez Island. She now teaches adult and youth ballet classes at her home studio on Lopez, sometimes teaches folk dance sessions at the Grange on Lopez, and has been teaching folk dance workshops across the US. The most important thing she teaches her students is, “If you apply yourself, you will experience the great joy dance brings. With practice and dedication, most anyone can gain dance ability, and enjoy and appreciate the art of dance.”

Thea’s favorite part of teaching is to see students make progress and the “aha” moment when a student gets a movement or combination just right. People who are interested can try or watch a class. Her contact information is posted on www.LopezRocks.org; just click on the Classes and Workshops link on the left-hand side of the page, then click on the Ballet Classes for Children and Adults link with a silhouette drawing of a ballerina.

Sunday, March 26 at 3:30 p.m., Thea’s students will offer you a ballet treat of their favorite and new dances at Lopez Center for Community and the Arts. Tickets are by donation at the door, and proceeds will go toward scholarships in support of ballet students.