Keeping in step

Dancer finds niche in preschool class

January 13, 2006

DAWN DE BUSK\Frontiersman reporter

WASILLA - A group of rosy-cheeked children filed into the pre-school room, some girls sporting pink dance-wear, some swathed in velour while others geared up in cozy sweats and T-shirts. Two boys marched in along with their female classmates.

The 11 children lined up in an orderly manner, and used a step stool to reach the sink. One by one, they washed their hands as instructor Lynette Henderson placed Dinosaur Grahams on napkins and tiny Dixie cups at each setting.

All the children had the healthy glow of exercise on their faces - these 3- to 5-year-olds had just finished tumbling class at preschool, which is housed in the Babcock Fine Arts Building in Wasilla.

Flashback about four decades, a 5-year-old Henderson performed in her first dance recital in Salt Lake City. The young girl spun around in a pink checkered tutu and wore a big feather on her head.

Henderson remembered it was a tap-dancing recital and that her hair fell to her shoulders in ringlets - very similar to curls sported by child star Shirley Temple.

Following an inclination toward dance, Henderson performed in many more recitals in Utah and Montana. She also joined her high school dance team, and was the leader of the majorettes.

&#8220I remember doing a dance and tumbling routine when I was 10 with both of my cousins in Montana. We had our hair in pigtails and were holding pom-poms,” said the pre-school instructor, her tresses pulled smartly back with one big barrette and wearing a black Nike jog set with lavender sports stripes.

Henderson competed for the title of Miss Big Sky doing dance poses and drills before a group of judges. Back then, she had a technique for warding off stage fright.

&#8220The way I'd get ready for performances is by pretending I was doing my dance for one specific person like my mom or the guy I liked. Well, my husband was my

high school sweetheart, so it was him. Or I would just pretend like I was performing by myself in front of the mirror,” Henderson said.

In essence, she's always on stage nowadays as the instructor of three fine-arts-based preschool classes, that each meet for three hours twice a week. Almost a dozen children watch her, learning by seeing.

&#8220Kids are so neat, so fun to be around. They teach you things. When they learn, you can just see the light go on in their heads. It's so fun to see, so worthwhile,” she said.

Henderson began her relationship with Sonja's Studio of Dance almost 5 years ago, teaching youngsters how to dance. In fall 2004, the studio branched out, and offered a series of pre-school activities for interested families. The participants would learn ballet, tumbling, music, arts and crafts as well as being exposed to phonics, shapes, colors and weather concepts. Later, when the dance studio moved into Babcock Fine Arts Building, Henderson took the reins of the pre-school.

&#8220It's not a strenuous program. The children get a taste of what it'll be like in school and they learn social skills,” Henderson said.

While the concept is catching on in the community and the number of young students is rising, Henderson is also participating in self-growth by attending Mat-Su College to earn a degree in developmental education.

&#8220My husband and family are very supportive of me,” she said.

Contact Dawn De Busk at

352-2252 or dawn.debusk@

frontiersman.com.