SANDPOINT — Breathe, dance, repeat. That's Adyssen Jolley's motto.

The 17-year-old from Sandpoint High has been dancing for as long as she can remember — since she was just 2 years old.

She reads, crafts and spends time with family in her free time, but dance takes center stage.

"It's mainly dance. I enjoy that," Jolley said. "It's my hobby."

That passion culminated when Jolley took on the lead role in Allegro Dance Studio's end-of-year production of "Cinderella."

Jolley’s mother, Devyn Vaughan-Jolley, began working at the studio in 2015 before taking over in 2022. For years, she wanted to bring a ballet adaptation of “Cinderella” to the stage, and with the studio's emphasis on ballet this year, the story felt like a natural fit.

When Vaughan-Jolley told her daughter she would be portraying the classic Disney princess, Jolley was elated.

But the role came with pressure. Cinderella was her mother's favorite Disney princess, so stepping into the role was even more personal.

“I kind of felt like I was dancing in my mom’s shoes,” said Jolley. “I wanted it to be perfect because it’s something that she loves so much.”

Rehearsal for "Cinderella" began in December and continued through May.

For six months, Jolley balanced serving as captain of her high school dance team, being a junior at SHS, teaching ballet to younger girls at the studio, and spending countless hours pouring her heart into the role.

“It was a lot,” Jolley said.

Jolley and her mother even practiced over the weekends, working to perfect Cinderella as best as they could.

“She was even staying extra hours when she didn’t have to,” Vaughan-Jolley recalled. “She was really dedicated to the role.”

From the choreography down to each rhinestone Jolley glued onto her bedazzled "glass slipper" ballet shoes — she considered every detail.

Most who are familiar with the fairytale know dialogue helps carry the story. But in ballet, there are no spoken lines to explain a character's emotions. Telling a story without words is no easy feat, so learning how to act was just as important as choreography.

Acting “unfolds the story," revealing the personalities of each character. That meant making sure Cinderella’s kindness and courage shone through various facial expressions, Jolley said.

When it was finally time to perform, Jolley said, “It was magical,” adding that it was rewarding to see the community enjoy what the studio had worked so hard on.

From kindergartners to high schoolers, the studio is comprised of different ages. Jolley said she enjoyed dancing with them all, including her sisters.

One of Jolley's favorite numbers was performing with the younger dancers, who took on the roles of woodland creatures.

“I danced with the bluebirds and the mice, and I really liked those,” she said.

As one of the oldest dancers in her class with fellow high schoolers, Jolley said the group leads by example.

“We all have to be role models for these younger girls and help encourage them to want to continue to dance,” she said.

Jolley said she has seen how dance has brought the community together, especially with the studio's annual production of "Nutcracker."

When Vaughan-Jolley noticed there wasn't a junior production of "Nutcracker" offered in Sandpoint, she sprang into action.

"I saw that there was a need for it, and I wanted kids to have opportunities to be able to perform in big roles," said Vaughan-Jolley.

Now, Jolley said she enjoys hearing the community express interest in wanting to return the following year to watch the iconic holiday ballet.

Despite long rehearsal hours, Jolley made treat bags for everyone in the studio, including magic wands, Cinderella slippers, pumpkins and tiny chocolate mice.

Vaughan-Jolley said her daughter illuminated the same kindness as Cinderella beyond the stage.

As she reflected on the recital, Jolley said performing in "Cinderella" has made her love ballet even more. 

 From left to right, Cora Barcklay, Avonlea Stephens, Erin Stevens, Kalissia Cipriano, Ella Jolley, and Adyssen Jolley (center) pose for a photo as characters in Allegro Dance Studio's production of "Cinderella."