Murray dance team steps into the spotlight for Special Olympics
Apr 22, 2025 09:36AM ● By Shaun Delliskave
The STARSTRUCK dance team from Murray will compete for a medal at the Special Olympics of Utah. (Photo courtesy of Lisa Dodge)
For most people, Tuesdays are just another ho-hum day sandwiched between the Monday blues and Hump Day. But for a group of energetic dancers in Murray, Tuesday nights mean busting out the jazz hands, perfecting turns, and breaking a sweat—all in a converted garage-turned-dance studio—because that’s when STARSTRUCK takes the stage. And this year, the beloved group of performers is trading garage doors for gold medals as they prepare to compete for the first time in the Special Olympics Utah (SOUT) Dance Competition.
Co-director Lisa Dodge reflects on how STARSTRUCK came to life. “My senior year of high school, a ‘bonus baby,’ Jeffrey, was born into our family. His extra chromosome allows us to love him an extra lot as he brings an extraordinary amount of joy with him everywhere he goes,” Dodge recalled. Watching Jeffrey’s passion for music and dance inspired Dodge and her childhood friend Julia Pehrson to start a performing group for individuals with special needs.
Their first class launched in January 2003, and what began as a children’s program has evolved into an adult group ranging in age from 24 to 48. “Through the years, the class sizes have ebbed and flowed,” Dodge said. “Many of our performers have stayed with us all these years.”
Today, 19 members meet weekly in a studio carved out of Dodge’s parents' detached garage in East Murray—where the group continued practicing even after COVID-19 forced their original performing arts studio to close. “The parents begged us not to end the group,” Dodge said. “We did Zoom classes for a while until we could meet safely in person.”
Their journey took a new turn three years ago when dance became an official Special Olympics Utah event. Although STARSTRUCK had spent two decades performing at venues ranging from BYU football halftime shows to Utah’s “Special Beauty” pageant, this would be their first competition setting.
“In 2022, we were invited by the Special Olympics Dance director to be the opening exhibition number for the SOUT Dance Competition,” Dodge said. “Our performers enjoyed the experience so much that we decided to take the necessary steps to modify our seasonal routine to compete.”
For the team, preparing for competition has brought new challenges. Special Olympics routines include required elements unfamiliar to STARSTRUCK’s usual style. “Balance, turning, moving quickly, and memory retention are extra hard for our friends,” Dodge said.
“We’ve pushed them this year to learn harder and more challenging choreography.”
“We’ve spent more time one-on-one with the students in class to master difficult steps. We’re also creating rehearsal videos so students can practice at home,” Dodge said. “Our best tactic is encouragement… they can do whatever they put their mind to.”
Adding to their motivation was a brush with celebrity encouragement. “Louis van Amstel was the emcee of the 2024 competition. After seeing our group perform as the opening last year, he was extremely complimentary of their talents and abilities,” Dodge recalled. “He told us he hoped to see us compete next year. So here we are... getting ready to compete this year.”
For performer Taylor Wuckert, van Amstel’s support was a turning point. “Taylor is a big fan of his and took his invitation to heart. He begged us as directors to take our group to compete this year,” Dodge said.
While medals remain the goal, Dodge emphasizes the true reward has been the friendships formed. “We text during the week, we go out on weekends when we can, some mail us cards, we have get-togethers and parties, and we are truly dear friends to each other,” she said.
“They are ridiculously excited to earn a medal to recognize their hard work,” Dodge said. “I think that’s the moment we will look at them and realize that the work and effort were all worth it.”
Beyond medals, Dodge hopes their performance helps shift the spotlight onto the athletes' abilities. “We hope this event brings attention to our friends’ abilities, not their disabilities,” she said. “The best thing the community can do to support us is come, watch, and cheer really loud.”
For now, STARSTRUCK is focused on one thing: stepping out with pride and proving that with hard work and heart, the stage truly belongs to everyone.
