We take great pride in the high level of education & experience that our D.A.M. dance teachers demonstrate.
Only the most qualified & skilled professional instructors are part of our DAM team, each specializing in their own, unique dance expertise!
Only the most qualified & skilled professional instructors are part of our DAM team, each specializing in their own, unique dance expertise!
The Dance Art Media Team
photo by Greg Campbell
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JESSICA PAGE CEO - DIRECTOR / DAM BUSINESS OWNER
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MYKAYLA SOLORIO TAP / JAZZ / ACRO / TLP / CONTEMPORARY
Mykayla began dancing at Premier School of Dance in Thornton, Colorado at the age of 3. From the ages of 7 to 18, she competed in dance; such was her dedication to dance that Mykayla elected to be home schooled, so she could spend more time dancing and competing. During this time, she studied many different dance styles including African, salsa, musical theater, modern, and break dancing. She joined LA Dance Magic's Company in 2015 under the direction of Jackie Sleight and Dave Carter. While working with LA Dance Magic's company she had the opportunity to study and work under Jason Myer, Will Thomas, Christian Vincent, Eddie Moody, DJ Guthrie, Ayodele Casel, and Albert Blaise Cattafi. Mykayla is currently a member of Life/Art Ensemble dance, & Co-Director of Bl!nk Dance Co. Mykayla is proud to be part of the DAM family for 7 years and counting! |
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PAT CONCEPCION COMMERCIAL HIP-HOP CHOREOGRAPHY
Pat Concepcion, originally from Honolulu, Hawaii specializes in commercial hip hop choreography. Pat started dancing in 2008, when joining his local high school competitive dance team (96797 Dance Team) and performing at local community events and competitions. This hobby quickly turned into a passion pursuit which led his focus toward training in hip hop commercial choreography at the Nix Performing Arts Center and Pas De Deux Hawaii, two of Hawaii’s most renowned dance studios. In 2010, Pat started guest teaching at local studios across the state of Hawaii and was able to teach and showcase strong hip hop numbers at Spotlight Dance Cup, World of Dance and Brown Bags to Stardom. Since then, Pat has won multiple awards for his commercial choreography, being recognized for the energy, power, and animalistic movements in his dance numbers. Pat’s DAM routines at completion have placed in the Top 10, Top 5, Most Energetic Number, and with the Dance Art Media Studios, was individually recognized for a hip hop number and stand out award at the KAR Competition in its 2021 competition season. Pat is always preparing his students to be stage ready. He has a passion for exerting energy and pushes his students (in the classroom and on the big stage) to the best of their ability.
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THOMAS GRASSIA MOVE N GROOVE / BALLET / MODERN / JAZZ
Thomas graduated from Colorado State University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. He began his dance journey at The National Dance Institute of New Mexico followed by training at The Colorado Ballet Academy, and Premier School of Dance before college. Thomas has studied and performed in a wide variety of dance styles including ballet, modern, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop, and musical theater. Some of his performance experience include The Nutcracker and A Midsummer Night’s Dream with The Colorado Ballet, along with works by André Megerdichian and the late Salvatore Aiello at CSU. With a growing repertoire of original pieces, he has established himself as a talented choreographer. In addition, he has also been commissioned to choreograph for two operas for CSU. Furthermore, his talent as a choreographer has been recognized with award-winning dances created for fraternities and sororities. |
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KATHLEEN TOLAND BALLET / POINTE / CONTEMPORARY JAZZ FUSION
Katie began dancing at A Step Above Dance Academy in Somerset, Massachusetts at the age of 5. From the ages of 8-12 she danced competitively in jazz, tap, and lyrical. At the age of 12, she began training at Ballet RI (formerly Festival Ballet Providence) under the direction of Mary-Ann Mayer and Milhailo Djurik. While there, she studied classical ballet, pointe, partnering, contemporary, modern, character, and jazz. She competed in the Youth American Grand Prix and performed in Festival Ballet’s The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and Viktor Plotnikov’s Carmen. After graduating from high school, she attended Smith College where she studied ballet under Rodger Blum and was a member of the dance department’s student-run company, Celebrations, where she became Co-Artistic Director during her senior year. Katie loves sharing her joy and passion for dance with the younger generation in a safe and welcoming environment!
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KEVIN "KO" O'KEEFE HIP-HOP / HOUSE / BREAKING
One of Colorado's original Hip Hop teachers, Kevin has an extensive background in all Hip Hop styles. He received training from industry pioneers - Clyde Evans, Eric Finn, Quickstep, and Rennie Harris. He has performed with Don Campbell Lock Jr, Electric Boogaloos, Lady Jules of the BeatFreaks, and the late Gary Kendall of the Jabbawockeez. Kevin is also a former member of Motion UnderGround's Hip Hop company EOM. He has been a guest artist at the Arena in Switzerland, The San Francisco Hip Hop Festival, The Colorado College Dance Festival, The Breaking Point in Montana, CU Boulder, CSU Fort Collins, Red Rocks Community College, and Front Range Community College. Kevin now is bringing this unique flavor to many studios in Colorado and is the Founder/Director of True 2 Form Dance Group. For years, he has been spreading a fire about the history of Hip Hop and a vision for where it could go. At this time, Kevin is a member of Street Stylez b-boy crew, is a performing core member with Machinez Remainz popping crew, and Rennie Harris Grass Roots Project, which has just finished a small performance tour of the east coast.
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JULIANA HEBEL CREATIVE MOVEMENT / BALLET / TAP
Juliana has been dancing since she was three years old. She trained in all styles at State of the Arts Dance Academy throughout her youth, including competing and excelling at regional conventions. She went on to advance her dance training with The DAM Studios - Dance Art Media all throughout high school. @DAM, Juliana studied w/ various master instructors such as Donovan Helma, Jessica Page, Mykayla Solorio, Jennifer Alafat & more. Juliana also served as the DAM Costume Manager for many years. Throughout high school, she excelled in the Color Guard and Orchestra in addition to dance and loved it! Juliana has trained as a teacher's assistant since the early age of 12 and then began her own instructional training at just 15 years old. Her senior year capstone project involved the deep study of pedagogical dance practices and her research was highly acclaimed by the organization as a stand out academic study. Juliana currently attends Colorado School of Mines majoring in Computer Science, where she is a proud member of The Mines Dance Team. She performs professionally with DAM Entertainment - Dance Art Media and as the first alumni to advance into teaching, Juliana is very proud to be a DAM dancer. |
photo credit - Amber Andrews
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CURRENT & PAST GUEST ARTISTS / MASTER INSTRUCTORS (SPECIAL EVENT DATES & WORKSHOPS)
AMANDA CARLSON CONTEMPORARY - LYRICAL - HIP 'POP'
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Amanda Carlson, a native of Colorado, is a choreographer, dancer, group fitness instructor and personal trainer. Amanda is the lead choreographer and co producer for shows including: Fashion Roars (NY), Reflection Spectrum (NY), Rush Through (NY), Telluride AIDS Benefit Fashion Show (CO), Aspen Cares Fashion Show (CO), Retrograde (CO), and The Green Runway (CO). Amanda lived in New York City for 5 years pursuing her love of dance and movement. She choreographed and presented works throughout the city. After New York, Amanda moved to Dubai where she was a principal dancer with Sima Dance Company. While in Dubai she also taught dance, and group fitness classes. Amanda has trained in a wide range of techniques including Jazz, Ballet, Modern, Latin styling, and many different street styles. By far her favorite movement style is contemporary floorwork. She loves teaching floorwork techniques and choreography. When in New York City, Amanda dances and performs with Kalamadir Dance Company, Breaking Conformity Productions, and The Invitation Company. Amanda was on the substitute and assistant teacher faculty at the world-renowned Broadway Dance Center (NYC) as well as working with the junior and teen program. Amanda continues to pursue training in all styles of dance, movement and fitness.
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ALEX MILEWSKI HIP-HOP
Alex is a professional bboy from Denver, Colorado. He started dancing in 2006 and has competed, taught and/or performed throughout the United States and around the world in Canada, Australia, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, The U.K., Ecuador, Morocco and more. As a founding member of Block 1750, Alex continues developing his passion for learning all styles of dance and sharing his knowledge with his students on a daily basis. https://youtu.be/BkiUpU_O9uE
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AMBER ANDREWS TAP
Cal Poly State University - minored in dance and participated and choreographed for the student-run spring dance show for 3 years. Focused on creative movement and dance theory providing a great appreciation and passion for modern dance and interpretive movement. Amber started an on-campus tap & breakdancing group, sharing knowledge of the two dance styles and subsequently developing an interest in tap/hip-hop fusion. Throughout her studies, she also taught dance for 5 years in many disciplines, including tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, hip hop, and creative dance. Amber's worked with many differing levels of dancers, from ages 3 to adult, and from beginners to the performing pros. She absolutely loves to share her joy of dance with others!
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photo by Drew Levin
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ANGIE SIMMONS MODERN DANCE
Angie Simmons is is a Denver-based teaching artist and the Artistic Director/choreographer/founder of Evolving Doors Dance, a modern company, founded in 2006. She is Adjunct Faculty in Dance at Red Rock and Pikes Peak Community Colleges. Her creative research has been granted by the Neodata Endowment Fellowship, the Boulder Arts Commission, and the Open Door Foundation. She has choreographed, taught and performed in New York, Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, Tennessee, Mississippi and throughout the midwest. She was Presenting Denver’s first In the Spotlight featured artist. Angie teaches throughout the Denver metro, working with beginning through professional dancers in many genres. Simmons has served as dance faculty for the University of Southern Mississippi, Naropa University, and as a Graduate Teacher at the University of Colorado. Angie Simmons holds an MFA in Dance Choreography from the University of Colorado-Boulder, with an emphasis in the Alexander Technique, and a BS in Secondary Dance Education from Illinois State University. Simmons has performed professionally with Isis Movement Company and Tribe of Human in New York and 3rd Law Dance/Theatre and Louder Than Words Dancetheatre in Colorado. She frequently dances with Cindy Brandle Dance. Angie has also performed in individual projects with Nick Cave, Gabe Masson, Tom Evert, Jon DeMone, Doug Woods, David Dorfman, Toby Hankin, Nada Diachenko, and Megan Flood.
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JENNIFER ALAFAT BALLET - CONTEMPORARY - LYRICAL
Jennifer Alafat grew up in Colorado Springs, CO and began taking dance classes at the age of five. In high school, she had the privilege of studying under German and Valentina Zamuel, who graduated from the Vaganova Russian Ballet Academy and taught at The Royal Ballet School. Jennifer represented their studio in competitions such as the Youth America Grand Prix and performed as a soloist in the Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Paquita, and Giselle. Jennifer recently graduated summa cum laude with a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from the University of Southern Mississippi where she was inducted into hte National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA). After graduation, Jennifer trained and performed with Ad Deum Dance Company in Houston, TX and taught at a number of studios in the area. She has also performed as a guest artist for Hub Dance Collective, and worked with several other companies including Zion Dance Project and Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet. She is excited to be back in Colorado and sharing her passion for dance at DAM!
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BRANDYN 'BOOG' HARRIS HOUSE - HIP-HOP - POPPING - LOCKING
Brandyn grew up in Philadelphia, deep within the hip-hop community. His father, Rennie Harris, is well-known as the first person to put hip-hop & house dancing on the concert performance stage. At a young age Brandyn was surrounded by the pioneers of this culture and gained a deep knowledge and understanding from first hand experience. He has spent the majority of his professional experience performing, competing, and battling in the local circuits through Philadelphia, as well as nationally. Brandyn ‘ ooh Harris is very versatile and experienced with street styles: popping, locking, hip-hop social, and house. His strongest suit is popping and he as won many prestigious accolades and battles, attributed to his very own and unique style. As a dancer in both Rennie Harris Puremovement and RHAW for ten years, Boog evolved as a dancer, performer, choreographer and teacher and served as the assistant rehearsal director of Rennie Harris RHAW. He always and consistently pursuing progress, as a person and as a dancer, in hopes of one day following in his father’s footsteps as a premier choreographer. Prior to moving to CO, Boog was a hip-hop teacher at Philadanco School of Dance Arts in Philadelphia, PA where he taught a wide range of ages and abilities.
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CHRISTINE ROHDE JAZZ - MODERN - CONTEMPORARY - TURNS, LEAPS, & PROGRESSIONS
Graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point with a BA in Dance and also completed a clinical massage therapy program. Ms. Rohde graduated from the Theatre and Dance Program with a MFA in Dance from the University of Colorado at Boulder in May 2012 with a secondary emphasis in the Alexander Technique. Ms. Rohde's extensive professional background with nationally recognized jazz dance and contemporary dance companies, including Juan Carlos Rincones Dance Theatre, Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Thodos Dance Chicago, Interweave Dance Theatre, and 3rd Law Dance, brings further insight to her teaching. As a teacher Ms. Rohde is known as a generous, knowledgeable, and energetic educator who pushes her students to explore the range of their abilities as technicians, artists and performers.
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GABBIE LINDSLY ADVANCED TAP - TAPPY HOUR
Gabbie Lindsly has been dancing since she was three years old. She trained in all styles at the Belliston Academy of Ballet throughout her youth and joined their Pre-Professional Program throughout high school. After high school, Gabbie moved onto the University of Northern Colorado to major in Elementary Education. While at UNCO, Gabbie studied ballet, tap, and jazz under Monte Black, Christy O'Connell Black, and John Leonard. In 2016, Gabbie participated in the Disney College Program. From 2017 to 2018, Gabbie danced with the Colorado Dance Collective (CDC is a nonprofit organization that brings dance to the residents of Northern Colorado), under the direction of Wendy Sosa. After graduation from UNCO in 2018, Gabbie moved back to Littleton where she currently works as an elementary school teacher and performs professionally with DAM Entertainment - Dance Art Media. Additionally, Gabbie is in her third year of performing as a company member of Rocky Mountain Rhythm. RMR is Colorado's very first professional tap dance company.
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MICHELLE BERNIER BALLET - JAZZ - MUSICAL THEATRE
Michelle was raised in Maine, and has been dancing since age 7. Her early training was deeply rooted in ballet and jazz, with bits of tap, musical theater, and ballroom dance mixed in. She studied dance at Skidmore College, the University of South Florida, the University of Southern Maine, and the Bates Dance Festival. Dancing in college, Michelle fell in love with modern dance and has focused her career in that direction ever since. In Maine, Michelle danced as a soloist w/ the Portland Symphony Orchestra and was a member of Collective Motion, a contemporary dance company based in Portland. Her choreography has been seen throughout that state. Since relocating to CO, Michelle has been performing w/ Life/Art Dance Ensemble in Denver & Blue Moon Dance Company in Boulder, and teaches ballet, tap, jazz, modern, leaps/turns, and strength and flexibility throughout Colorado. She applies her utmost passion and effort to maintain a fun, creative collective for our young performers to gain valuable community-based performance experience. Ms. Bernier earned her Masters of Fine Arts in Dance from CU Boulder. ~ Executive Director, Sans Souci Festival of Dance Cinema ~ Tour Ensemble Director Airborne Dance Center ~ Life/Art Dance Ensemble Board Member
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DONOVAN HELMA ADVANCED TAP
Since the age of three, Donovan Helma has been dancing under the direction of his family operated dance studio in Aurora, CO. He currently continues his education through multiple dance conventions and tap festivals throughout the year. Donovan teaches and choreographs for multiple competitive studios in the Denver metro area and across the United States. He has performed on a Monday Night Football halftime show with the Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and for Montreal’s Danse Encore International Festival in a production by Tap’d Out. Donovan has taken the stage with modern tap legends such as Jason Samuels Smith and Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards in a Greorgy Hines tribute show, Thank You Gregory. He is honored to have toured the United States, Europe and South Africa for 7 years as a lead tap dancer in Tap Dogs. He looks forward to continuing his dancing career and inspiring audiences and students nationwide
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