Dance Connection, Home of the Diamond Ridge Cloggers: Schedule, Class Info & About Us

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES  We offer performing opportunities to ALL of our dancers throughout the year, regardless of age and ability.  Each dancer is invited to perform at a minimum of 2 community performances each year in addition to our grand finale', the Kids In Motion Showcase.  Our emphasis is on positive self-image, teamwork, and having fun!  Our goal is to give each student opportunities to enhance their life skills while developing their ability as a dancer and presenting a positive image for today's youth. We also emphasize education, and school-aged dancers are encouraged to maintain a 3.0 GPA.

'SUMMER' SHOW TEAM  Dancers of all ages and levels are encouraged to participate on our Summer Show Team.  The Show Team performs for groups and community events from June-October.  Some of our performances include the Dust Devils Pre-Game Show, Cancer Society Relay for Life, the Benton-Franklin Fair & Parade, Prosser Harvest Festival, Pasco Farmer's Market, and Adult Day Services.  Our audiences love seeing our tiny dancers and beginners along with our seasoned performers. 

THE CLOG TEAM  The Clog Team is a year round group that performs an average of 30 shows each year.  We use contemporary music and styling. A sub-set of our Show Team, the team enjoys clogging for a variety of groups and community events in Eastern Washington and Oregon. They've performed at the Florida Citrus Bowl Half-Time Show and Las Vegas National Clogging Convention, competed nationally, and were invited to dance in the Washington, DC 4th of July Parade in 2002. They also entertain regularly for residents at the local Life Care Centers.  Cloggers of ALL ages and abilities are welcome to join the clog team. 

COMPETITION TEAM  The Competition Team competes 2-4 times each year throughout the Northwest.  Our Competition Team has earned several high score awards and is very proud of the reputation they've earned as respectful, friendly competitors.  Auditions for all dance styles and levels are held in October, and rehearsals begin in November.  Competition Team dancers are required to have a minimum of a 2.0 GPA and strongly encouraged to maintain a 3.0 GPA.  Additional details are provided at the competition informational meeting and in the audition packet.

CLOGGING HISTORY Clogging originated in the Appalachian Mountains as a mountain man's folk dance. The roots of this quick step dance come from Irish step dancing (as seen in River Dance) and Holland's wooden shoe dance. Traditionally, cloggers maintained a stiff upper body and danced to bluegrass music. As contemporary clogging emerges, other forms of dance are being incorporated and a variety of music is used. It's rumored that the Morris Shakers of Europe didn't allow women to clog. Today, people of all ages and gender enjoy clogging around the world.

Contact us at (509)628-9998 and don't forget to sign the guest book!

The Dance Connection is directed by Wendy Robbins. Wendy's dance experience includes jazz, tap, ballet, theater, and clogging.  She enjoys teaching all dance styles and focuses on correct technique while building each dancer's self-confidence.  Wendy directed Dance In Flight ballet company's 2006 production of "Cinderella....Well Almost" and received rave reviews as one of the best productions in the company's history.  A few of Wendy's other dance moments include several Richland Light Opera productions, performing with the Charlie Daniels Band at the Florida Citrus Bowl, dancing as a featured guest at the National Clogging Convention in Las Vegas, and performing with the inaugural Chinook Basketball dance team.  Wendy is also the Director of the Diamond Ridge Cloggers and has taught clogging for more than 15 years.  She also coached cheerleaders for 12 years and offers private coaching to future cheerleaders and dance team members.  Wendy studied dance at WWU and holds a BA in Speech Pathology/Audiology.  

Elisa Donovan Elisa is a tap expert and is excited to take our tap program to the next level.  Elisa is a seasoned competitive dancer who focuses on the basics with fun.  Experienced tappers will love her advanced tap techniques and choreography.  Elisa is also experienced in jazz, hip hop, and musical theater.  You may recognize her from her days as a Tri-Cities Fever Dancer.

Aurora Cody is an accomplished point ballerina and dancer in all styles who spends her vacations at dance workshops.  Having taken untold number of classes and performed in countless shows at the University of Idaho Center for Dance, dance is somethig Aurora can't live without.  Aurora began her dance journey at the age of two.  She added modern and jazz classes when she was ten and added tap dance in high school.  We are very excited Aurora selected Dance Connection to continue her dance journey.  Aurora teaches advanced ballet, jazz, and contemporary.

Erin An teaches an all-around dance expert.  She teaches hip hop, lyrical, ballet, and our little dancers.  Erin recently moved  from Texas where she taught all dance styles.  Her Tri-Cities students love her as much as her Texas students did, and they can't get enough of her choreography.  Welcome Erin!

Danielle Rothwell is a national clogging competitor, placing first at several national events.  Danielle learned to clog with the Diamond Ridge Cloggers over 10 years ago before moving to attend college at Eastern Washington and then Boise, ID where she danced with a national competition team.  With her Masters Degree in hand, she returned to the Tri-Cities and is excited to teach clogging again.  We are honored to have her join us and share her experience and techniques with us.

Morgan Jarrell returns to teach clogging and 3-5 year olds for us.  Morgan has over 15 years of competitive clogging, performing and teaching experience.  Her clogging technique is impeccable and she holds students to the highest standards.  She also ran Learning in Motion preschool until her son was born.  The preschool focused on learning through movement and dance, and she knows how to make dance fun for our little ones. 

Fred Shaffner has clogged for untold years and teaches our Carefree Senior Cloggers.  You'll notice him at all of our shows - he's the youngest at heart!  Senior classes are held on Mondays at 10:15 a.m.  (8:00 am in the summer).  Register for this fun activity through Fred at 627-0765.  Fred also provides valuable assistance with our adult clogging classes.