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 OWNER - ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
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MYKAYLA SOLORIO EVENT COORDINATOR / ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
TAP - BALLET - JAZZ - PRE-POINTE - 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. Mykayla is proud to be part of the DAM family for 4 years and counting! |
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AMANDA CARLSON CONTEMPORARY - LYRICAL - HIP POP
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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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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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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CURRENT & PAST GUEST ARTISTS / MASTER INSTRUCTORS (SPECIAL EVENT DATES / WORKSHOPS)
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AMANDA BENZIN TAP - JAZZ - MODERN
Ms. Benzin is a rhythmically and passionately driven educator, performer and choreographer that holds an MFA in Dance from CU Boulder with concentrations in performance, choreography, somatics (Alexander Technique and Body-Mind Centering), and pedagogy. She graduated summa cum laude from the State University of New York at Buffalo with a BFA in Dance and minor in Business Administration. Amanda was an Emmy-Award-winning member of the renowned Chicago-based rhythm jazz and tap dance company Jump Rhythm Jazz Project for 6 years touring and teaching nationally and internationally. Amanda has taught ballet, jazz, tap, modern, contemporary, hip hop, and musical theatre to children and adults of all ages across the country for the past 19 years. She believes dance education should not only instill the knowledge, passion, love and appreciation for dance, but also inspire students’ creativity and encourage self-confidence, exploration, and skills they can use in dance and in life. She is committed to empowering individuals through the community of dance.
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STEFANI CINTO SOCIAL DANCE - BALLROOM - SWING - COUNTRY - LATIN DANCE
A Professional Ballroom Competitor in American Rhythm and American Smooth styles, Stefani is certified in the DVIDA Syllabus Bronze / Silver / Gold Rhythm and Smooth styles. She is experienced in teaching and competing ballroom and also has a strong background in Ballet / Jazz / Contemporary / Hip-Hop. Ms. Cinto attended The University of Nebraska on a dance scholarship and was a member of their collegiate dance team for all four years, captain for two, and graduated with a minor in Dance. She absolutely LOVES teaching dance and building confidence in her students!
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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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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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JESSE GREAVES-SMITH SOCIAL DANCE - BALLROOM - LATIN DANCES - SWING
Jesse Greaves-Smith holds a Master's degree in Instruction from the University of Denver and brings 12 years of teaching experience to DAM. He performed with CU Boulder's Rueda de Casino salsa team, and has spent the last three years teaching salsa and Bachata basics to 1000+ people through Black Belt Salsa. Having taught dance, rock climbing, archery, and martial arts to groups of all ages, he excels at helping people master new physical motions in ways that work for them. Jesse focuses on helping individuals become comfortable with whichever social dance they're learning, and helping couples connect as dance partners. He strives to bring a sense of humor, enjoyment, and personal growth to his classes.
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LARRY SOUTHALL HIP-HOP - HOUSE
Larry Southall was born in the Bronx, NY where he began dancing hip-hop forms in the early eighties. He received an MFA in dance from the University of Colorado Boulder. He has worked with many companies including Boulder Ballet, Harambee African Dance Ensemble, Blue Moon, Motion Underground, Longmont Symphony and Dance Theatre, and Steamboat Springs Dance Theatre. Larry has worked as a master teacher at Dance Place in Washington, D.C., at Slippery Rock University and for the American College Dance Festival. He has choreographed for the Native Tongue Dance Theatre, Skeleton Dance Project, the Black College Dance Exchange and the “Legacies” concert of the American College Dance Festival in Boulder. Larry teaches traditional hip-hop and is an established and well respected teacher. He currently teaches hip-hop at the University of Colorado Boulder, the Longmont Dance Theatre, and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance School.
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MARIA BILEYCHIK SOCIAL DANCE - WEST COAST SWING - LATIN DANCES
Maria started dancing at 6 years old doing International Standard & Latin back in her hometown. She danced and competed in the ballroom circuit for twenty years until in 2014 when she found her favorite dance style in West Coast Swing. Not only does Maria have ballroom training, but she is also well versed in ballet and contemporary styles. Trying to always incorporate and blend the different styles together, she enjoys the opportunity that dance brings to express yourself and improvise.
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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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REBECCA WRIGHT BALLET - TAP - HIP HOP - JAZZ
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Rebecca Leslie Wright was born in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pa. and moved to Virginia at the age of three. Shortly after moving to Virginia Rebecca started dance lessons at the local YMCA and was bitten by the Dance Bug. When she knew she was serious about dancing Rebecca began her training at The Richmond Ballet where she performed in The Nutcracker for four years and one season of Coppelia. In her first year at VCU Rebecca was chosen to take part in a restaging of Martha Graham’s “Panorama” and performed with the company at the Carpenter Center. She has studied under many guest artists such as Ron Brown, Nicolas Leichter, and Gus Solomons Jr. When her faith pulled her in the direction of Liturgical Dance she was a Dance Choir Director, performed for the Missions Board, and performed many solo pieces in various local churches. As Co-Director of Pulse Dance Collective she performed and choreographed for the company in Virginia. Over 10 years ago Rebecca moved to Colorado and found it abundant with Arts opportunities and got involved performing, teaching, and choreographing with Ascential Dance Theatre, Lizanne McAdams, ACDT and Rocky Mountain Theatre for Kids. Rebecca has attended two annual IABD Conferences participating in panel discussions and continuing her training in master classes. Rebecca has taught for over 25 years and enjoys working with youth and adults to bring the passion and dedication of dance into their lives.
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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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