Site Content
School Dance Testimonies and References
Island Park Elementary
We are very excited to be able to bring Gaylen Sauve, a professional square dance caller, to work with your children the week of March 25th! To provide the fullest experience possible, we have arranged the specialists’ schedule so each class will be able to work with Gaylen every day, with Mrs. Hamp, Mr. Krahn, Mrs. Sundholm and Mrs. Frisch assisting. Classes will be joined by others in their grade level, making for a fun yet focused learning environment. By the end of the week, just in time for the Hoedown on March 29th, your children will have learned several line dances, including the Macarena and Virginia Reel, as well as numerous square dance moves.
Mrs. Hamp has worked with Gaylen on and off for over 20 years, first meeting him while he was instructing in the Northshore School District. She appreciates Gaylen’s positive attitude and magnetic personality, which helps to engage all the students. As a dance instructor with over 30 years experience, Gaylen teaches dances comprehensively and thoroughly. He keeps things moving at a fast pace so no one loses interest, and chooses music that is fun for the students. "Who Let The Dogs Out" is one favorite, while older students will learn to line dance to Will Smith's "Wild, Wild West".
The Hoedown has been a highlight for the Island Park community every year and we are very grateful to the IP PTA for sponsoring this year’s Hoedown! Please join us for this fun evening event!
Sincerely, Susan Hamp
Stillwater Elementary School
Over the course of two weeks in March, one spent at Stillwater Elementary and another at Cherry Valley Elementary, "The Dance Dude" (Gaylen Sauve) brought together exercise, dance, music, and a party atmosphere to more than 500 K-5 students between the schools.
Performing and appearing as "The Dance Dude" for more than fifteen years, Sauve tours all over King County providing DJ services for school and community dances, private and public parties, and even finds time to work as an auctioneer.
During these two weeks however, he did what he loves to do best - teach children how to move and dance. When he arrives, The Dance Dude utilizes music and physical activity to engage students in getting exercise, mental stimulation, and cool new dance moves to share with friends and family.
Each week concludes with a school-wide dance and leading up to that dance, students have learned a variety of classic party dances they can share with parents, siblings, and friends. This year, the Stillwater dance had over 300 people attend. Stillwater secretary Karie Cato states that makes it one of the most highly attended events the school has ever seen.
Emily Christensen, Stillwater's music specialist, had a wonderful time. "By supporting physical education and music together, this was an awesome way to combine those two disciplines in an extra fun way. The Dance Dude does an outstanding job of engaging students, and everyone had a blast!"
Students also shared their favorite moments from the week, citing dances like "Peanut Butter Jelly Time", "The Funky Chicken", "The Dorothy Dance", and of course, "The Macarena" as their favorites. One student captured the week this way, "He made me feel like my legs were going to explode! It was very tiring but also very fun!"