Dance students from across Jefferson City will take the stage this weekend at the annual recital of local dance studio Dancers' Alley.
After months of work, the students' seasons will culminate Saturday with performances at the studio's annual recital at Miller Performing Arts Center.
About 200 students ranging in age from 3-18 years old will participate in the event. In all, three shows will be held at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Dancers' Alley offers classes in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, competition and contemporary dances. Students as young as 3 years old can enroll in classes, which typically run Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.
The studio opened 28 years ago, and this will be its 28th annual recital. Dancers' Alley owner and director Katherine Overby Howland grew up in Columbia and later taught dance for eight years in Columbia before she started teaching in Jefferson City.
She graduated with a bachelor's of fine arts from Stephens College, but studied in New York and London as well. During her time at the studio, few things have changed, Overby Howland said.
"We've added a few things like hip-hop, and the children's program is a little bit larger," she said. "The studio has always had such a wonderful foundation, with ballet being such a strong part of it."
Dancers' Alley's class schedule closely follows the school calendar. Competition students started practicing their routines in August. Students in other classes started practicing the routines they'll perform Saturday in February and March. The studio also offers classes throughout the summer.
Most students are girls, but a few boys also participate in classes at the studio.
Both matinee shows will feature the studio's young students. Older dancers, including the high school students, will perform in the evening. All types of dance taught by the school will be showcased Saturday. The studio's competition dance team will also make appearances during the afternoon shows.
Four high school seniors will graduate this year, but big groups of freshmen and sophomores are working their way up the ranks, Overby Howland said.
About 20 percent of the students are in high school. Meanwhile, about 80 of the students are in preschool. With so many, Overby Howland said, they can be a handful at times for her staff members.
"Some of them are very little," Overby Howland said. "But they're very excited."