By Colter Hettich, Features Editor

For those who think the dance scene in Abilene is non-existent, think again.

Audiences poured into the Paramount Theatre on Friday and Saturday night for Dance Discovery Studios’ annual jazz show.

The theme of Kairos came from one of countless suggestions Teri Wilkerson – founder and director of Dance Discovery Studios – receives throughout the year The idea of Kairos intrigued her, so she began to research, and the more she read, the more “engrossed” she became with the concept.

Kairos, a greek term, is difficult to define in a few words, Teri said. Translated, Kairos literally means “the right or opportune moment,” but its meaning delves far deeper. Running a dance studio keeps a director perpetually concerned with the time, but Teri knows that time has its hand on everyone.

“For me, I’ve been so totally busy that time just contaminates everything,” Teri said. “The fact that I can create is what keeps me sane.”

Someone who choreographs 54 songs in six weeks needs some kind of release, and Teri shares that escape with her dancers everyday.

Teri’s passion for dance either runs in the family, or she has rubbed completely off on her daughter, Kirby.

“It’s been my way of life,” Kirby said. “I have to express myself, and the only way I can say what I need to say is through dance.”

Kirby has spent the last 14 years of her 16-year existence training at Dance Discovery Studios and says she has never seen the studio stronger.

“[Our] jazz shows always vary from year to year, but this year we got more technical and more theatrical,” she said. “It’s all about desire and passion. Everybody wanted to be here and gave everything they had.”

Dance Discovery’s growing number of students attests to Kirby’s words.

Typically, extracurricular activities unrelated to school are the first to go in busy families or families having financial difficulties, yet the studio has continued to grow.

Teri originally created Dance Discovery 23 years ago as an ideal way to work and save money for her dream of moving to New York City to dance professionally. Life happened, and in 2008 there is nowhere else Teri would rather be. She believes with conviction that God orchestrated the events that led up to her staying in Abilene.

Mario Thornton, 26, and Heather Edmondson, 23, teach classes at dance discovery, and both said the studio is far more than rooms with wooden floors and mirrored walls.

When asked about future plans, Thornton said,” I definitely think I’ll be here for a while. I’m doing everything I want to be doing here, so I don’t need to look around for anything else.”

Edmondson, who has danced for Teri for the last 19 years, feels at home on the wood floor.

“I’ve seen myself grow and mature here. It’s more than just dance, it’s a whole growth process.”