NORWICH – The Donna Frech School Of Dance will present its 39th annual Recital this weekend, titled “Elements in Dance.”

Senior performances are Friday and Saturday, June 20 and 21 at 7 p.m., and Junior performances are Saturday and Sunday, June 21 and 22 at 1 p.m. at the Norwich High School.

This weekend's performances of the DFSD “Elements in Dance” will have something for everyone. The performances are filled with traditional and innovative forms of the performing art of dance, including tap , ballet, jazz, acrobatics, lyrical, modern and contemporary, musical theater, and hip hop.

The elements of dance are body, action, space, time and energy along with the four elements of earth: earth, air, fire and water. Hints of each are intertwined throughout the performances. Each is demonstrated on the stage this weekend in a very entertaining way.

This year’s performances are the culmination of a dance year filled with hard work, discipline, fun and dreams. The dancers are nurtured throughout the year by caring, experienced dance faculty who encourage them to imagine the possibilities. Whether an intensive dancer studying at the studio many days a week, or a child who just loves being involved in a dance class or two, dance sparks the heart of the soul, and that will be evident as audiences are treated to performances this weekend that are sure to please all.

The choreography, music, costumes and whole concept of the performance will make you think you’re watching a professional touring company. The persona of the dancers electrifies the stage and will draw you into every moment. The performances are intertwined around music from all genres and ages. The audience will not only hear but feel the music and, combined with the visuals created through dance, all who attend the performances will know the joy and hard work that each and every dancer, teacher and staff member has put into the year-end performance.

The matinee at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday features younger performers along with a few of the dance numbers from the evening performance. Seeing the smiles and joy on their faces as they step out on stage is priceless and the audience will almost hear the little ones saying “Hey look, I can do it too.”

And they indeed fill the shoes of the older performers who have been where they are now. Keeping with the theme of Elements In Dance, the older dancers make such an impact on the younger dancers.

Many audience members who attend every year, do not have family members in the performance. They attend faithfully because the performance is so enjoyable to watch, it's very entertaining, and there’s something different throughout the performance.

If you haven’t seen a Donna Frech School of Dance annual performance recently, you will not want to miss this weekend's performances. Many of the dancers are members of award winning dance groups at the Donna Frech School of Dance. The year end dance recital is a big event at the dance school, according to Donna Frech.

“The year end recital is a wonderful experience. This is especially true for the younger students, who have learned that they can have fun while learning to dance,” says Frech. “Whether it’s the intensive study of student who attends classes 4-5 times a week, or the recreational student attending class once or twice a week, they all come together with a strong commitment, to present our awesome year end performance and have fun.”

The cast of the senior performances (evening shows) is made up of a variety of dancers. Some students have been dancing for as many as 15 years, and some are younger and this is their first time performing in the senior recital. There are several classes of adults who have enjoyed taking to the stage each year, and wouldn’t miss the excitement of it all. Of course, there is some comic relief too.

The matinee performance exhibits the talents of the younger students. Although some may be just starting out in their dance training, it is very apparent that these tiny performers thoroughly enjoy what they are doing. The faces that light up the stage in such memorable songs as “Baby Face,” “April Shower,” and “You Are My Sunshine” truly compliment the dancing of the younger generation of performers.

“The younger students are amazing to watch on stage. The real tiny ones are just so cute,” said Frech. “It is so gratifying to know that we have been able to offer them a little glance into the world of performing arts. I love the little ones. They are such a joy to teach. It is so rewarding to see young students progress through the years and become beautiful dancers.”

There’s no real pressure for the young students in dance class, just an enjoyable experience. Eventually, if they wish to further their dance education, they have the option of being enrolled in a more intense dance program at the dance school. Throughout the last 39 years, many dance students have passed through the doors at The Donna Frech School of Dance. Frech can proudly boast that many of her dance students have become dance teachers and studio owners themselves. Many of the students in this weekend’s performances are the children of students who have studied with the institute.

DFSD instructors Donna Frech, Kathleen Cragle, Breanne Krucher, Kristen Miller, Kayla Stage, Andrea Pennell and Kari Williams invite you to an enjoyable weekend of dance and entertainment. All have worked collectively to present a diverse collage of dance performances. A special thank you to parents, family and friends behind the scenes who have made it possible to present such wonderful performances.

Tickets are available at Donna Frech School Of Dance, Service Pharmacy in Norwich, New Berlin and Sherburne, Bartle’s Pharmacy in Oxford, and Video Entertainment Plus in Sidney and at the door prior to each performance.

For more information, call Donna Frech Sharp at 856-571-5591or Kelli Curley, Office Manager at 607-334-4382.