LH's Bethany Ford, Jennifer Klopfenstein, Rebekah Rose, Sara Tuccio and Jillian Martin perform in Austria for the Young Tanzsommer festival

Five LHHS students are among dancers from four dance companies chosen to perform at the Young Tanzsommer Dance Festival this summer in Austria. Bethany Ford, Jennifer Klopfenstein, Rebekah Rose, Sara Tuccio and Jillian Martin,all members of the Dallas Ballet Dance Company, departed last week to spend two glorious weeks dancing for European audiences and touring Austrian sites. 

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“The audience goes wild when they perform – it is incredible,” reported Becky Ford, who is accompanying her daughter, Bethany, with her husband, Corey. “The girls have danced matinee performances for school-age children and gala performances in Lienz and Innsbruck so far. They have toured a concentration camp outside of Munich and visited Vienna for a day. Next, we are off to the Neuscwanstein Castle for a performance for handicapped children. The girls look forward to dancing in the palace Cinderella’s castle was modeled after. We are having a great time.”

The Young Tanzsommer began in 1994 in Innsbruck and has become the most visited dance festival in Austria, growing to 30,000 visitors in ten years time. The event includes everything from performances by famous dance companies of the world to youth workshops for beginner dancers. In addition to Dallas Ballet Company, this year’s performers are from the Dance Empire of Miami, Michelle Latimer Dance Academy in Colorado and The University of Texas.

“What a great job the dancers did,” praised Becky, “the kids loved them. Now we’re off to Venice!” Congratulations, girls, on your hard work and your amazing opportunity.

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  • Carol Toler

    Blogger CAROL TOLER and her husband, Toby, are the parents of four LHHS graduates. She has an MBA from SMU and is the proud recipient of the Exchange Club of LH's Unsung Hero Award and Councilman McGough's Blake Anderson Public Service Award. She received LHHS PTA's Extended Service Award, FMJH PTA's Charger Award and a Life Membership from the LHFC PTA. She has moderated candidate debates for Dallas Mayor, Dallas City Council and RISD Trustee races and taught seminars on garnering publicity for nonprofits. She completed training with Dallas Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation and Inside RISD, and she's a sustaining member of LH Women's League. She has served on the boards of After8 to Educate, Dallas Free Press, Healing Hands Ministries and Camp Sweeney and chaired fundraisers for multiple Dallas nonprofits. Email ctoler@advocatemag.com.