Two Bellingham dance studios get in the Christmas spirit

Britt Burton, 32, says that because her mother, Wendy Setter, started The Dance Studio 36 years ago, she “started dancing the moment my two legs touched the floor.”

“I was fortunate enough to grow up at The Dance Studio and be surrounded by encouraging and inspiring teachers,” Burton says. “I returned back to my roots as a full-time teacher in 2008 and took over the company in 2011. We teach ages 3 and older in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, hip hop, creative movement, musical theater, lyrical, contemporary, and adagio (partnering).”

She has 11 teachers on staff and she also teaches full-time.

“We pride ourselves on teaching professional, challenging and fun classes, and I currently teach all styles except hip hop — I save that for my accomplished staff — and all ages, from the tiny tots to the life experienced,” Burton says.

Those dancers will have a chance to perform what their teachers have taught them at the annual “Saving ChristmasTown!” show Dec. 18-20 at Bellingham High School.

“We started producing a holiday show my first year full-time at The Dance Studio in 2008,” Burton says. “We presented the ‘Nutcracker’ for four years at Mount Baker Theatre and we loved playing homage to a classic, but my desire to try something new led us to a new holiday tradition.”

It took a year to create the original story line, musical arrangement, choreography, costumes, and stage set, and in 2012 they unveiled the first production of “Saving ChristmasTown!”

“My goal was to create a fun, high-energy, family-friendly holiday show under an hour, and a great representation of who we are at The Dance Studio,” Burton says. “We send the audience away dancing on the inside — sometimes on the outside — and ready to start their holiday season.”

Equally excited about her students is Maluhia Vander Griend, 36, who with her husband, Kurt, owns, directs and manages Dancing for Joy, which presents it 12th annual “We Danced Our Best for Him,” the nativity story told through the language of dance, Dec. 19 and 20 at Mount Baker Theatre.

She has been involved with Dancing For Joy for 16 years, which began in 1998 at Hillcrest Chapel with a handful of students.

“We began to see dance as art, as a wholesome and fun activity for healthy development, including discipline, and as a lifelong blessing,” Vander Griend says.

“We wanted to instill the love and joy of dance in our students of all ages while providing quality instruction and maintaining professionalism. Modesty and creativity and mentoring became goals as well,” she says. “One of the most interesting characteristics of my job is that I wear many hats. I am an artistic director, dance instructor, performance planner, costume manager, mentor and counselor, and even a barista!”

Current classes are in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, contemporary, lyrical, musical theater and adult beginners, with a 25-member staff. Dancing for Joy also offers creative movement classes for preschoolers, and a “Tiny Twirlers” for 2-year-olds. Students range in age from 2 to 75.

“I enjoy the raw reality of this annual nativity show, and the maturity the dancers bring to each of their roles,” Vander Griend says. “The authenticity and beauty of the movement draws the audience into a deeper emotional connection with the Christmas story.”

This story was originally published December 16, 2015 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Two Bellingham dance studios get in the Christmas spirit."