Holiday dance recital delights audience

Sisters Dance Academy winter recital titled "This is My Wish" dazzled a full house at the Sisters High School Auditorium on Saturday, as dancers aged 3 to 18 performed ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, Broadway and contemporary, donning bright colorful costumes depicting the holiday season.

"Tonight we are going to let each performance flow into one another, and as we do that, I want you to think about the theme that we have chosen this year as you watch these dancers perform. As it unfolds you will feel their joy and light, and it will inspire you to do more of what you love, and share it with others," said Lonnie Liddell, owner and dance instructor at Sisters Dance Academy.

On cue, the dancers opened with a graceful ballet to the Jordin Sparks holiday hit "This is My Wish," in which the lyrics unveiled the meaning of this year's holiday theme: "The sound of hope to come, together we can bring good will to everyone."

The audience was delighted when seven little jammers took over the stage and danced to "Holiday Bounce."

Eight young dancers from Sisters perform the Irish stepdance with accuracy reminiscent of "Riverdance," a theatrical show consisting mainly of traditional Irish music and dance, in the number titled "Reel Around the Sun."

During intermission, friends, families and Sisters folks enjoyed a special bake sale, a homemade holiday smorgasbord of goodies that raised funds to help pay for the dance academy performers first dance competition this spring.

The dance number "Wish List" was beautifully performed as a solo contemporary ballet by Tiffany Cormallis, an instructor at Sisters Dance Academy.

Each year, the grand finale is a joy to watch, and this time around it didn't disappoint, as nearly 100 dancers gathered together to dance onstage in their own style to "What Christmas Means To Me," as the audience cheered them on.

Winter/spring dance session begin in early January. For more information visit www.sistersdanceacademy.com.