Welcome to Idaho Express: Folk Dance
World Class Folk Dancing

The Idaho Rocky Mountain Express is an American Folk Dance and Music Ensemble from Burley, Idaho, USA. IRME presents a broad sample of folk-dance originating or evolving in the United States of America. The ensemble seeks to educate and inspire each new generation to carry on uniquely American cultural heritage. Each dance is costumed in appealing colorful stylized costumes. The adult team consists of 8-12 partners ages 15 and older. IRME also has a children’s touring team ages 10-14. The Idaho Rocky Mountain Express team is chosen among dancers from a private studio with over 200 students. Our students range in age from 2 to adult. Idaho Express been training dancers for over 40 years.

Idaho Express dance teams holds many honors. Individual members of the team are on the All-American All-Stars. For three years in a row the team has won Overall Grand Champions at National Competitions.

They have often received the Judges Choice Award for excellent choreography and artistic presentation. Idaho Rocky Mountain Express has completed many international tours around the world beginning in 1996. Countries/areas visited include Poland, Hungary (2), Belgium, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, Taiwan, Canada, Spain, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Bulgaria, Turkey, France (2), and Germany, Croatia, and Basque Country and more.

The Idaho Express Bluegrass Band, a talented group of musicians, accompanies the dancers playing the fiddle, banjo, guitar, bass, mandolin, and percussion.

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Folk Dance
Featured Dances

Clogging

American Clogging is a percussive folk dance that originated from the blending of European, African, and Indigenous dance traditions in the Appalachian Mountains. Influenced by English, Irish, and Scottish step dances, as well as African rhythmic footwork, clogging developed as a social and expressive dance style. Traditionally performed to bluegrass and country music, it features rhythmic foot tapping and intricate steps. It is easily identified by unique buck style taps and high energy.

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Pioneer

Pioneer Dance refers to the folk and social dances practiced by early American settlers, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries. European settlers and immigrants mixed many of their cultural dances together, such as English country dances, Irish jigs, Scottish reels, and French quadrilles, these dances were a key part of community gatherings. Performed at barn dances, socials, and celebrations, pioneer dances were often accompanied by fiddle music and called instructions. They emphasized group participation, simple footwork, and social dancing.

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Native American Hoop

Native American Hoop Dance is a dynamic storytelling dance that uses multiple hoops to create symbolic shapes representing nature, animals, and life’s cycles. Rooted in Indigenous traditions, it originated as a healing and ceremonial practice among tribes like the Anishinaabe and Taos Pueblo. Over time, it evolved into a performance art, blending tradition with contemporary influences. Dancers showcase agility and creativity, often accompanied by drumming and chanting. Today, it remains a celebrated cultural expression at powwows.

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American Fad Dancing

American Swing Dancing is a lively and energetic dance style that emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, evolving alongside jazz music. Rooted in African American dance traditions, it developed in Harlem, New York, particularly at venues like the Savoy Ballroom. Popularized during the Big Band era, it became a social dance phenomenon, spreading across the U.S. and beyond. After a decline in the mid-20th century, Swing saw a resurgence in the 1980s and remains a vibrant part of dance culture today.

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Our International Festivals

CIOFF

Idaho Express Folk Dance is a member of CIOFF and have attended multiple of their festivals throughout the years. Find us in their approved list of groups at CIOFF® International.

Welcome to Idaho Express: Folk Dance
World Class Folk Dancing