Senior Nordic Dancers present final Nordic Fest performances after decade together

Decorah’s Senior Nordic Dancers are gearing up for their final Nordic Fest performances this weekend.

By Roz Weis,

Decorah bids a fond farewell to a special group of young people during Nordic Fest this year. 

The senior group of Nordic Dancers will dance their final Fest, after being together for the past 10 years.

As third-grade students back in 2013, members auditioned for a spot on the coveted group. This group of talented young people graduated from high school in May.

Nearly 500 dancers and musicians have proudly entertained and represented Decorah at home and around the world over the years.

The dancers commit to 10 years of dancing together. Practices are held January through July each year.

According to Amy Bruening, one of the directors of the senior group, “We had over 30 girls try out and 17 boys. Shortly after auditions, we heard from another boy who was interested and so we added him and then added the first girl on the waiting list. We have 36 dancers – 18 girls and 18 boys.”

This year’s senior group of dancers includes: Rebecca Bruening, Chloe Chyle, Chloe Dixon, Amelia Dugger, Izabel Evans, Ella Grouws, Brinley Krivachek, Sophia Lewey, Ada Lovelace, Rachel Mikkelson, Morgan Moen, Kailyn O’Gara, Kylie O’Hara, Mya Redenius, Ellen Rooney, Ava Syverson, Jaden Weis, Rorie Wiedow, John Baldridge, Ethan Bockman, Grady Brauer, Casey Brickley, Aiden Burroughs, August Cowie, Ethan Folkedahl, Erik Hjelle, Blake Jermier, Jack Knoke, Franklin Lesmeister, Easton Luzum, Jake Magner, Michael Njus, Lane Rolfs, Noah Spilde, Brady Stille and Ethan Stravers.

To say being a Nordic Dancer is a “coveted” selection is an understatement. It has been rumored over the dancers’ long history in Decorah that some folks have actually planned their child’s birth around the year Nordic Dancer auditions occur.

Read the complete feature story in the July 27 Public Opinion.

Decorah’s Senior Nordic Dancers are gearing up for their final Nordic Fest performances this weekend.

Fest performance schedule

The group will perform several times during the upcoming Fest: at opening ceremonies at 6:45 p.m. Thursday night; at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Friday; several dances as the group walks the parade route Saturday morning; and their grand finale at 7 p.m. Saturday night in front of the Winneshiek County Courthouse. Saturday evening’s performance is also a chance for alumni dancers to take the stage during a portion of the program.

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