Tradition and pride hopes to remain intact for generations to come as the Kinder Tänzer group looks to preserve its nearly 50-year legacy in the community. If you’ve attended Wurstfest, you’ve likely witnessed children dressed in Lederhosen and Dirndl performing traditional dance moves with the clapping of their hands, stomping their feet and moving back and forth in large circles. They weave in and out and go under the arms of the other in smooth motions, reminiscent of the dancing that occurred in Bavaria centuries ago.

For decades the group flourished with nearly 100 dancers as many Seele Elementary students participated and even learned German dance during the school day. However, more recently less and less Seele and NBISD students are participating in traditional German dance, but new Kinder Tänzer Director Cullen Ricks hopes to rekindle the interest in not only the Seele community but all of NBISD.

“All over the state of Texas there is a growing German dance culture with hundreds of High schoolers performing at festivals and even competing at statewide competitions at Texas State University. It is awe inspiring to see these young people dressed in their beautiful traditional outfits and performing their intricate dances,” Ricks said. “I am working and performing with those who have strived for decades to spread German dance culture throughout Texas. I intend to preserve the traditional dances of Kinder Tänzer with hopes of fostering German dance groups in as many schools in the New Braunfels area as possible.”

Kinder Tänzer, which is German for Children Dancers, is a free youth German dance group that performs annually at Wurstfest, the Comal County Fair and other community events. Children from PreK through the 12th grade can participate in the group. And while the group does look to preserve the German culture in town, it is open to children from all backgrounds. The group performs traditional German dances such as polkas, schottisches and waltzes around town since the late 1970’s and it reflects the German heritage in the area.

There are three groups of Kinder Tänzer dancers which vary by age from youngest to oldest. Students as they get older advance to the next group up and perform dances that get more difficult with each progression.

According to those close to the program, it was started by Mellita Frueh, and her assistant Mrs.Reimer, but was passed to Sue Schwab who held the position for about 30 years. The director position was then held by Nancy Lacey for 10 years and last year, Ricks took over the program.

Sue Schwab was a teacher at Seele Elementary for many years, and Seele students would practice German dancing. Back then, New Braunfels and NBISD were much smaller. Seele Elementary was a campus for only second and third grade at that time. Lone Star was a kindergarten through first grade campus and students in fourth and fifth grade attended Carl Schurz.

One student who formerly attended Seele for second and third grade and participated in Kinder Tänzer is Robin Schwab. Robin is currently an instructional coach at Seele and a distant relative of Sue Schwab.

“I have so many friends who I still talk to today who remember German dancing,” Robin said. “We would practice in music class and after school and perform at Wurstfest and other events throughout New Braunfels.”

Seele students tapped their feet, looked in awe and even participated in the ‘Chicken Dance’ as the Kinder Tänzer dancers recently performed for the entire student body during a Wurstfest celebration, which was MC’d by Robin.

It was a full-circle moment for Robin as she grew up just two houses down from Seele, attended the school, participated in Kinder Tänzer and now is back at Seele as a teacher and leading an event about German heritage.

“It means so much to me to come back to my old neighborhood and to be a part of all of this again,” she added. “I would love for more kids in our district to be involved!”

By sharing and preserving German dance and music, Ricks encourages the younger generation to embrace the city’s German roots. Kinder Tänzer hopes that the Kinder Tänzer will continue to connect generations of New Braunfels residents to the German heritage that has made the city famous.

Those interested in joining the group can visit: https://www.facebook.com/kindertanzernb/