Creativity flourishes on Vashon, and dedicated professionals work hard to encourage island youth to develop their own artistic expression. Last weekend saw a top-notch performance by Island Youth Theatre, and Sharing the Stage youth bands performed to a sold-out house. This weekend will showcase the choreography and performances of young dancers and musicians in Vashon Allied Arts (VAA) Center for Dance’s Original Works.

Original Works honed its performance chops in a supporting role during VAA Center for Dance’s annual spring production. But three years ago, Director of Dance Christine Juarez cast Original Works as a solo show.

Performers — dancers and, as of last year, musicians — include island youth and some non-residents associated with the island.

“It’s all about showcasing young, emerging artists,” Juarez said.

The opportunity has not been lost on Vashon High School (VHS) senior and VAA Center for Dance student Tess Mueller, who began dancing under Juarez at age 2.

“I don’t think that Original Works is something many people get to do,” Mueller said. “It’s really amazing to have the opportunity to create (a piece) and be able to show it, go through the whole process of choreography, rehearsal and auditions. I’m so blown away by what everyone comes up with every year. It’s really incredible.”

Juarez provides the students with the real-world process of auditioning. Dancers and musicians, ages 14 to 25, submit ideas and proposals that range from choreography to instrumentation and song-writing. Each submission goes through an adjudication process, and once accepted, the performers receive in-depth coaching. In addition, all participants have a hand in the production process.

Quinn McTighe, a VHS senior who has danced at VAA Center for Dance since sixth grade, will perform an original duet with his sister Marisa. McTighe started dancing after watching his two sisters’ involvement with the program and thought it would be fun to join in.

“Ballet is my game,” he said. “Though it can be really hard at times, ballet has given me physical and mental abilities that I couldn’t have gained any other way. Christine taught me everything, really. What I really like about Christine is the way she looks at dance. She doesn’t see it as an activity only really gifted people can do; she instead sees it as something all people can and should do.”

Ballet, contemporary and tap dances will be part of the program, along with musical acts. Dancers will perform in their own and other choreographer’s pieces, an experience that inspires Mueller.

“I choreographed one piece with my friend,” she said, “and I will be in three other people’s pieces: Kathy Bonner’s (a longtime dancer with VAA Center for Dance); one by Madeline Morser (who trained under Juarez); and two by Vanesa Wiley (a VAA Center for Dance instructor). Working with a different person is always a new way and idea of dancing. I enjoy that Original Works provides the opportunity to dance all different types of styles.”

Performances are slated for 7 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday. All shows will be held at the Vashon High School theater. Tickets may be purchased at Heron’s Nest, the Blue Heron and vashonalliedarts.org.