Rexburg teen has a chance to perform in Europe this summer, but he needs your help to get there

REXBURG — For 18-year-old Gideon Tice of Rexburg, dance is more than just a hobby — it’s a lifeline.

After losing both of his parents to cancer within less than a year of each other, Tice finds community and purpose by participating in dance, music and theater. He has been dancing with Idaho Ballroom Academy since 4th grade, learning skills that helped him land a spot on the American Footworks folk dance touring team this year. He’s also a member of Madison High School’s Bel Cantos choir as well as the school’s extracurricular a cappella group, where his deep bass voice sets the foundation for the group’s tight harmonies.

This year, Tice has been given the opportunity of a lifetime: a chance to travel with American Footworks to Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, England, and Scotland this summer, where the team will perform in several international folk dance festivals. There’s just one obstacle — the cost.

Tice’s father, Nathaniel, passed away in December 2022, and his mother, Andrea, followed in September 2023. East Idaho News surprised Andrea and the kids with gifts from Secret Santa in December 2022, not knowing Nathaniel had passed away just one day earlier.

These losses have left Tice navigating the world as a high school senior. As one of six children, and the oldest still at home at the time of his parents’ deaths, Tice had to grow up quickly. He now lives independently while his younger siblings live with their aunt and uncle.

“Essentially, it forced me to mature and grow up,” Tice says. “When I do the arts, it’s kind of a way for me to fall back. It helps me relax a bit.”

American Footworks co-founder Mindy Larsen says Tice has all the talent and desire necessary to be on the team, but that he and some other dancers in this year’s troupe could use some financial help paying the $3,500 needed for the trip.

Donations are also needed to update the team’s costumes, Larsen says. Their main red and white team costumes were purchased secondhand from the BYU Folk Dance team many years ago and are showing their age.

“They have held up beautifully, but they are now 30 years old so the zippers are starting to pop and fabric fray,” Larsen says. She says the new set will cost about $4,000.

Larsen says this year’s tour, from July 22 to August 18, will be an unforgettable opportunity for the team members.

“We will get to climb the dome in St. Paul’s Cathedral in London and swim in the Black Sea in Nessebar, Bulgaria, and dance in a huge parade in Slovakia,” she says. “It’s going to be a unique experience and absolute core memory for our lucky dancers.”

The touring team represents the United States in a positive way as they associate with people from so many different cultures, Larsen says.

“This team makes a real difference in the world,” she says. “We come up against a lot of stereotypes and prejudice on tour and we do our best to show what good people most Americans are. We protect and share our intangible cultural heritage and learn to love and appreciate others’ art and culture. This creates understanding, respect, friendship and connection. The world needs all of those things.”

As for Tice, Larsen says she recognized in him all the talents and personal qualities she was looking for when building this year’s team.

“Every year we go on this amazing adventure and try to pull the kindest and most talented kids to come with us, recruiting from local dance studios, community programs, and BYUI,” she says. “I worked with Gideon when he played the Tsar for Madison High School’s musical ‘Anastasia’ last year, and I was able to see his talent, commitment and leadership qualities first hand. He worked so hard and was so willing, passionate and dependable and I knew he’d be a good fit for our team … Then I heard about how his parents both died of cancer and it broke my heart. I realized that he is on his own in so many ways. It’s hard to come up with the $3500 tour fees for all our students, and to do it without family support is even harder.”

Tice says he appreciates all the love and support from his family and the community over the last few years as he has worked through the loss of both his parents.

“Even after both my parents’ passing, I’m still quite lucky,” he says. “We had grandparents come in and help, and my aunt and her family come in … I had support through all my people in the arts. My choir director, my dance instructors and others — their support has helped keep my passion for the arts alive.”

Tice says he gets a lot of fulfillment being part of productions that bring joy to other people. It’s his way of giving back to the community that has supported him and his family, noting that he has had help from anonymous donors who have helped pay his school fees and other expenses since his parents’ passing.

Those interested in helping Tice and other team members pay for the trip can donate via GoFundMe. For information on how to make a tax-deductible donation, email Larsen at idahofootworks@yahoo.com. Larsen says the team is also open to official sponsorships and is happy to perform for local organizations for free.

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