A Little About Us
Our Story
The Idaho Rocky Mountain Express is an American Folk Ensemble. The Northwestern US rural town of Burley, Idaho is their home. The dancers present folk-dances originating or evolving in the United States of America and presented in beautiful, stylized costumes. The bluegrass band accompanying the dancers includes the instruments violin, banjo, guitar, bass, mandolin, and percussion. The 2023 Idaho Express team will present music and dance from 1800’s pioneer, 1920 Charleston, Appalachian Mountain flatfoot, 1930’s swing dance, Afro-American Steppin, Native American Indian Hoop Dance and American Clogging. These energetic youth aged 11-24 are popular entertainers. They have trained for many years as competitive cloggers. They are grateful for the festival opportunity and excited to be sharing their show internationally.
The Idaho Rocky Mountain Express has been traveling internationally since 1996. Each year the team is chosen from among 200 dancers from the Idaho Xpress Studio.
The Idaho Rocky Mountain Express has been traveling internationally since 1996. Each year the team is chosen from among 200 dancers from the Idaho Xpress Studio.
Our International Festivals
Talented & Experienced Dance Instructors
Meet Our Team
Melissa
Creative Director
Melissa Handy Morgan heads the Idaho Rocky Mountain Express, an American folk ensemble, and also runs the Idaho Xpress Dance Studio. Melissa’s extensive dance background makes her a sought-after choreographer for dance teams, soloists, community theater, and music groups. Her performance and choreography skills have allowed her to travel internationally. Her talent is in making everyone shine on stage. Melissa has held a variety of roles at the local Magic Valley Folk Festival. Melissa is married to her forever dance partner, Bryce Morgan, and together have six dancing children.
Melissa Handy Morgan heads the Idaho Rocky Mountain Express, an American folk ensemble, and also runs the Idaho Xpress Dance Studio. Melissa’s extensive dance background makes her a sought-after choreographer for dance teams, soloists, community theater, and music groups. Her performance and choreography skills have allowed her to travel internationally. Her talent is in making everyone shine on stage. Melissa has held a variety of roles at the local Magic Valley Folk Festival. Melissa is married to her forever dance partner, Bryce Morgan, and together have six dancing children.
Kristine
Founder
Kristine Handy is the founder of The Idaho Rocky Mountain Express. She and her large family go back many generations in the rural town of Burley, Idaho. She and her husband gained a deep love of folk dancing while attending Brigham Young University. Their dance teams were in great demand as performers around the USA. In 1996, the Idaho Rocky Mountain Express received an international invitation to attend festivals in Poland. From that beginning, their teams have traveled the world, providing opportunities to hundreds of young people to learn and share their own intangible cultural heritage. In 2004, Burley, Idaho held its own international festival. The Magic Valley Folk Festival continues to bring the world to rural Idaho. Kristine is a member of the CIOFF USA board and is active in CIOFF International.
Kristine Handy is the founder of The Idaho Rocky Mountain Express. She and her large family go back many generations in the rural town of Burley, Idaho. She and her husband gained a deep love of folk dancing while attending Brigham Young University. Their dance teams were in great demand as performers around the USA. In 1996, the Idaho Rocky Mountain Express received an international invitation to attend festivals in Poland. From that beginning, their teams have traveled the world, providing opportunities to hundreds of young people to learn and share their own intangible cultural heritage. In 2004, Burley, Idaho held its own international festival. The Magic Valley Folk Festival continues to bring the world to rural Idaho. Kristine is a member of the CIOFF USA board and is active in CIOFF International.
Now Accepting Festival Invites!
Contact us to register our team for your festival.