RANDOLPH – The Village Dance Studio will present its holiday dance recital, “A Storybook Christmas,” Saturday in the Randolph Central School auditorium at 6 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students and senior citizens; children under age 4 are free.

Tara Smith, director of The Village Dance Studio, said preparations for the show began in September, and the students started learning their dances in October. Since that time, they’ve been working hard on their skills and techniques, which are incorporated into the show’s choreography.

New this year is Sullivan O’Dell-McGonnigle, 13-year-old breakdance and hip-hop instructor, who is expected to perform with his students during the Christmas show.

Regarding costuming for the show, Smith said they’ve tried to keep the cost down as much as possible for the Christmas show by being creative and keeping it simple.

“A lot of the costumes are plain T-shirts that have been decorated,” she explained. “The students are gingerbread men in one of the dances, so we’re using long-sleeved, brown T-shirts with appliques and different decorations on them. For the spring show, the families buy the costumes, but again, we try to keep the cost down.”

The sets will be kept simple with garland, white twinkle lights and similar decorations. Smith said Jill Hart did their sets last year and will probably create them for the spring show.

According to Smith, all of her students will be participating in the recital. Although she will not be performing with her students in the Christmas show, she plans to perform in the spring recital.

“We normally have just our spring show, but this year, we decided to bring back the Christmas show and we’re excited. I think it’s going to be a nice show,” she commented.

Students at The Village Dance Studio have a number of different dance-style classes to choose from. Smith herself is one of the dance instructors and teaches tap, jazz, hip-hop and contemporary. Several other dance instructors at the studio also offer instruction including Robin Foster, tap/jazz; Johnah Rowland, ballet, pre-pointe, pointe; Abbi Magara, tap/jazz; Sullivan O’Dell-McGonnigle, breakdance; and Susan Magara, cheer dance coach. Marisa Swan, director of the Competitive Dance Troupe, leads her group members in various competitions in the surrounding area.

The dance studio also offers karate classes taught by Sean Connor, yoga by Connie Dalbo and Zumba.

Smith said the dance students traveled to New York City last November, where they attended the Rockettes’ Christmas Show and Stomp. They plan to attend the Disney Experience in 2016.

The Village Dance Studio, located on Larkin Street in Randolph, was established in 2004. Since then, it has grown to approximately 125-130 dance students, ranging from 2-18 in age. Smith said she hopes to start adult classes in tap, jazz, and ballet in the future, but at this time, no classes are in place.

According to Smith, the dancers at The Village Dance Studio are very interested in expanding their performance opportunities – whether at fairs, festivals or various other functions. To arrange a performance or find out more information, call Smith at 338-3791. The Village Dance Studio can also be found on Facebook.