Nordic Dancers: Public Research Help Needed

Nordic Dancers performed at the first Nordic Fest and remain  perennial favorite performers of event guests. Students, directors and their families dedicate a decade of their lives to sharing authentic cultural dancing. Nordic Dancers are an integral part of Nordic Fest.  

As part of the #nordicfest50 research process, one full group photo of Nordic Dancer group is needed and encouraged from those connected to each group, eleven total to date. Assistance with identification of group members is also needed. 

The details of the eleven Nordic Dancer groups to date are listed below, with the two groups for whom photos and identification have been confirmed noted. Thanks to group two and group seven volunteers! 

• Group one included 20 student dancers, directed by Betty Hacker, who performed together from 1967 to 1969.
• Group two included 24 student dancers, also directed by Betty Hacker, who performed together from 1969 to 1977. (photo confirmed) 
• Group three included 24 student dancers, directed by Betty Hacker as well as Pastor Paul and Lois Christenson. This group performed together from 1973 to 1982.
• Group four included 24 student dancers, directed by Pastor Paul and Lois Christenson. This group performed together from 1978 to 1988. 
• Group five included 30 student dancers and 7 musicians. The musicians were directed by Jeanette Spilde and the dancers by Betty Hacker, Pastor Paul and Lois Christsenson, as well as Jon and Mary Hart. Theses students performed together from 1984 to 1993. 
• Group six included 24 student dancers and 7 musicians. The musicians were directed by Jeanette Spilde and the dancers by Jon and Mary Hart. These students performed together from 1989 to 1998.
• Group seven included 32 students dancers and 7 musicians. The musicians were directed by Jeanette Spilde and the dancers by Ela Uhl, as well as Jon and Mary Hart. These students performed together from 1994 to 2003. (photo confirmed) 
• Group eight included 24 student dancers and 7 musicians, directed by Ken & Ruth Procter and Jennifer Larson. These students performed together from 1999 to 2008.
• Group nine included 32 student dancers and 7 musicians. Musicians were directed by Jennifer Larson and the dancers by Jim & Ann Kephart, as well as Deb & Kelly Reagan. These students performed together from 2004 to 2013. 
• Group ten, the current senior group of Nordic Dancers includes 30 student dancers and the usual musicians. Directors are Jim & Ann Kephart, as well as Dan & Lisa Lundtvedt. This group started performing together in 2005.
• Group eleven, the current junior group of Nordic Dancers includes 36 student dancers who performed at their first Nordic Fest in 2014. They are directed by Amy Bruening, Elizabeth Bruening, Jeni Holtan Grouws and David Grouws. 

To discuss details on having your Nordic Dancer photo scanned and its members identified, contact dawn sh at gmail dot com. Thank you!