Tara Cluck - Owner/Artistic Director
Tara Cluck is a native of Lafayette, Colorado, and started classes at 3, like many dancers did. She trained at many studios in the area such as Studio L, Dream Star Dance, International Rhythm and Motion, and Dance West.
Tara attended Ryan Elementary, Angevine Middle School and Centaurus High School in Lafayette, dancing her way through school and continued on the Express Dance Team at CU. She began teaching at Motion Underground while in college and worked for the Universal Dance Association. As a fun release from the college scene, Tara traveled to Walt Disney World to spend a semester as everyone's favorite mouse in Orlando, Florida.
Tara's teaching credits include Head Coach of the CU Express Dance Team 2004-2005, Assistant Manager for the Sacramento Kings Dance Team 2005-2006, Assistant Director at HYPE Dance Studio in Chico, CA 2006-2010, Director at Motion Underground 2010-2013, Owner TCDC 2013-Present. She has also been an national and international judge for UDA, the International Cheer Union, The Dance Worlds and a few other regional dance competitions. In between all of these gigs, Tara has traveled internationally to teach in Mexico, Russia, Ecuador, Scotland and Norway, and continues to get invitations to share her knowledge across the globe. She also works with competitive dance teams on the high school and college level, and is the technique coach for the CU Dance Team. She is a former member and choreographer for Rogue Dance Co, has been a judge for the Miss Colorado Pageant, and spent a semester as everyone's favorite Mouse in Orlando, FL. She has recently started a new chapter as a choreographer for many large scale corporate events serving clients such as National Jewish Hospital, ReMax, Carpet One, Hormel Foods and The Boys and Girls Club. She has received numerous choreography awards, but her most notable to date is for her creative work with her team for the National Jewish Hospital's Beau Arts Ball - HAMILTON. Tara and her team won best event in the world at The Special Event.
Despite all she has done, the highlight of Tara's career is her studio; the dancers she gets to work with on a daily basis, the staff she teaches along side, and her Special Needs Hip Hop classes on Tuesday evenings.
Tara's Teaching Schedule
Monday:
5:30-6:30 - Turns and Leaps 1.5
6:30 - Flock Rehearsals
Tuesday:
3:15 - Lil' Hip Hop
4:00 - Company Chicks
6:00 - Special Needs Hip Hop
7:00 - Hip Hop 3 ages 10+
Wednesday:
4:00 - SLHS Team Technique
5:00 - Turns and Leaps IV
6:00 - Advanced Movement - this class includes Jazz, Contemporary, Improv, Yoga, Pilates and whatever else Tara might be feeling on that particular day.
7:00 - Adult Hip Hop
8:00 - CU Dance Team Technique
Tara attended Ryan Elementary, Angevine Middle School and Centaurus High School in Lafayette, dancing her way through school and continued on the Express Dance Team at CU. She began teaching at Motion Underground while in college and worked for the Universal Dance Association. As a fun release from the college scene, Tara traveled to Walt Disney World to spend a semester as everyone's favorite mouse in Orlando, Florida.
Tara's teaching credits include Head Coach of the CU Express Dance Team 2004-2005, Assistant Manager for the Sacramento Kings Dance Team 2005-2006, Assistant Director at HYPE Dance Studio in Chico, CA 2006-2010, Director at Motion Underground 2010-2013, Owner TCDC 2013-Present. She has also been an national and international judge for UDA, the International Cheer Union, The Dance Worlds and a few other regional dance competitions. In between all of these gigs, Tara has traveled internationally to teach in Mexico, Russia, Ecuador, Scotland and Norway, and continues to get invitations to share her knowledge across the globe. She also works with competitive dance teams on the high school and college level, and is the technique coach for the CU Dance Team. She is a former member and choreographer for Rogue Dance Co, has been a judge for the Miss Colorado Pageant, and spent a semester as everyone's favorite Mouse in Orlando, FL. She has recently started a new chapter as a choreographer for many large scale corporate events serving clients such as National Jewish Hospital, ReMax, Carpet One, Hormel Foods and The Boys and Girls Club. She has received numerous choreography awards, but her most notable to date is for her creative work with her team for the National Jewish Hospital's Beau Arts Ball - HAMILTON. Tara and her team won best event in the world at The Special Event.
Despite all she has done, the highlight of Tara's career is her studio; the dancers she gets to work with on a daily basis, the staff she teaches along side, and her Special Needs Hip Hop classes on Tuesday evenings.
Tara's Teaching Schedule
Monday:
5:30-6:30 - Turns and Leaps 1.5
6:30 - Flock Rehearsals
Tuesday:
3:15 - Lil' Hip Hop
4:00 - Company Chicks
6:00 - Special Needs Hip Hop
7:00 - Hip Hop 3 ages 10+
Wednesday:
4:00 - SLHS Team Technique
5:00 - Turns and Leaps IV
6:00 - Advanced Movement - this class includes Jazz, Contemporary, Improv, Yoga, Pilates and whatever else Tara might be feeling on that particular day.
7:00 - Adult Hip Hop
8:00 - CU Dance Team Technique
Michaela DeGraw - Business Manager
Michaela grew up in Louisville and Lafayette, dancing with Tara along the way including 4 years on the Centaurus Dance Team. Michaela started coaching right out of high school as the dance coach for an all-star cheerleading team and ended up continuing to coach all-star and high school cheerleading for the next 10 years. While coaching at Holy Family High School, the team made it to finals every year, placing first and second under her leadership and choreography. Michaela has recently (Summer of 2015) started coaching the Centaurus Dance Team with the goal of building an outstanding, competitive and sustainable program.
Michaela's real talent is the business side of things. Michaela earned her MBA from the University of Colorado in 2006 with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship. In 2010 she opened a coffee and wine bar with a business partner and successfully built a business that she then sold for a profit four years later. In the meantime, she has built a family with two energetic daughters who love dance more than anything!
Michaela teaches pre-dance at TCDC and loves watching the little ones grow on the dance floor and on the stage! Michaela is so thrilled to be a part of the TCDC family and is excited to help facilitate the relationships between parents, instructors, dancers and the community.
Michaela's Teaching Schedule
Wednesday:
10:00am - Ballet/Tap Combo ages 3-5
10:45am - Lil' Hip Hop ages 4-6
Michaela's real talent is the business side of things. Michaela earned her MBA from the University of Colorado in 2006 with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship. In 2010 she opened a coffee and wine bar with a business partner and successfully built a business that she then sold for a profit four years later. In the meantime, she has built a family with two energetic daughters who love dance more than anything!
Michaela teaches pre-dance at TCDC and loves watching the little ones grow on the dance floor and on the stage! Michaela is so thrilled to be a part of the TCDC family and is excited to help facilitate the relationships between parents, instructors, dancers and the community.
Michaela's Teaching Schedule
Wednesday:
10:00am - Ballet/Tap Combo ages 3-5
10:45am - Lil' Hip Hop ages 4-6
Katie Fear Lane - Director, The Flock Dance Group
Katie grew up dancing in Colorado and found her love and passion for dance in the studio and as member of her high school dance team. After earning multiple convention scholarships and awards in high school, Katie went on to earn a full scholarship as a member of the University of Tennessee dance team. Her team won their first Universal Dance Association National Championship in 2007 in the jazz category. She was a member of UDA staff teaching elite, college and international camps. Choreography credits include multiple top 5 and national championship high school and college routines in Jazz and Pom some of which were featured on UDA’s ESPN show. After college, Katie moved to Louisiana where she was eager to get back into the studio teaching technique, ballet, jazz and hip hop. Her students earned multiple top finishes at local and national competitions as well as scholarships at conventions. Katie moved back to Colorado to be the head dance coach at the University of Colorado and coached for 4 years. Katie is incredibly excited to share her knowledge with the TCDC family and continue to produce incredible dancers!
Katie's Teaching Schedule
Monday:
Flock Rehearsals
Thursday:
3:30 - MoHi Team Technique
4:30 - Turns and Leaps II
5:30 - Turns and Leaps III
6:30 - Company Strength and Stretch
7:30 - Flock Rehearsals
Katie's Teaching Schedule
Monday:
Flock Rehearsals
Thursday:
3:30 - MoHi Team Technique
4:30 - Turns and Leaps II
5:30 - Turns and Leaps III
6:30 - Company Strength and Stretch
7:30 - Flock Rehearsals
Jenn Woodward - Peeps Director
As a Colorado native, Jenn Woodward, grew up in Arvada and entered the competitive dance scene at the age of 8, training and competing both regionally and nationally throughout her childhood. She was a member of the Ralston Valley Pom squad and graduated from Metro State with a degree in Elementary Education. Jenn was formerly the Assistant Director of Westwoods Center of Performing Arts and in
2012 took a break from the dance world to start a family. For the past few years she has begun to teach again and is now currently the Director of the Peeps Team here at TCDC.
Jenn's Teaching Schedule
Thursday:
10:00am - Ballet/Tap Combo ages 2-3
10:45am - Ballet/Tap Combo ages 4-6
3:15 - Ballet/Tap Combo ages 4-6
4:15 - Peeps Rehearsal
6:15 - Tap ages 6-8
2012 took a break from the dance world to start a family. For the past few years she has begun to teach again and is now currently the Director of the Peeps Team here at TCDC.
Jenn's Teaching Schedule
Thursday:
10:00am - Ballet/Tap Combo ages 2-3
10:45am - Ballet/Tap Combo ages 4-6
3:15 - Ballet/Tap Combo ages 4-6
4:15 - Peeps Rehearsal
6:15 - Tap ages 6-8
Kelsey Anderson
Kelsey Anderson is a jazz, lyrical/contemporary, and technique dance teacher from Kansas City. She danced at private studios, on her high school's dance team, and at the collegiate level. She has performed in Kansas City and Denver with Seamless Dance Company, Quixotic, Rogue Co., and the Imprint Group. She started her teaching career in 2008 with Nation Dance Alliance (NDA) and since 2011, has been choreographing for their national curriculum. With ten years of dance instruction experience, she teaches jazz, lyrical, and hip hop at TCDC.
Kelsey's Teaching Schedule
Wednesday:
5:00 - Hip Hop II ages 9-12
6:00 - Lyrical ages 9-12
7:00 - Jazz II ages 9-12
Kelsey's Teaching Schedule
Wednesday:
5:00 - Hip Hop II ages 9-12
6:00 - Lyrical ages 9-12
7:00 - Jazz II ages 9-12
Hannah Belmont
Hannah fell in love with dance at the age of 2 and hasn’t stopped. She is currently a senior on Company at Tara Cluck Dance Center and enjoys every style from ballet, jazz, contemporary and hip hop. She’s been involved in competition dance since the age of 8 and has danced at various studios across the country in New Hampshire, Colorado and California. Hannah has participated in several different dance programs including Generation IV with Teddy Forance, several LADM nationals and Denver Adrenaline Crew 2018. Hannah loves dancing and hopes to pursue it in college. She is so excited to share her love of dance in a place that makes her feel so welcome and special.
Hannah's Teaching Schedule
Wednesday:
3:15 - Ballet/Tap Combo ages 3-5
4:00 - Ballet/Tap Combo ages 6-8
Hannah's Teaching Schedule
Wednesday:
3:15 - Ballet/Tap Combo ages 3-5
4:00 - Ballet/Tap Combo ages 6-8
Chloe Courson
Chloe first started dance at the age of 2 and fell in love with all it has to offer. She is now a part of Company at Tara Cluck Dance Center and practices jazz, contemporary, hip hop, ballet, and tap. She has been in the competition scene for 8 years and has had many accomplishments doing so. In 2013 Chloe traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada for Hall of Fame Dance Challenge Nationals and took part in the National All-Star program. She has also been awarded two tap scholarships at conventions. This past summer Chloe traveled to California for the LA Dance Magic National Finals and Final Cut where she was part of a show and worked with many top choreographers. She also took part in the Magic Performer of the Year competition. Tara Cluck Dance Center has become Chloe’s second home and she loves all of the opportunities she gets from being a part of such an uplifting community.
Chloe's Teaching Schedule
Tuesday:
4:00 - Jazz/Hip Hop Combo ages 6-8
Wednesday:
3:15 - Hip Hop ages 6-8
Chloe's Teaching Schedule
Tuesday:
4:00 - Jazz/Hip Hop Combo ages 6-8
Wednesday:
3:15 - Hip Hop ages 6-8
Courtney Flesher
Courtney started dancing competitively at Artistic Fusion Dance Academy at the age of three.
She continued to dance competitively with Artistic Fusion until her freshman year, when she
made the Varsity Poms Team at Legacy High School. Her time as a Pom at Legacy brought a
state runner-up title, National competitions as well as the privilege to perform at Half time at the Orange Bowl.
Courtney met Tara Cluck in 2012 when Tara was a choreographer for Courtney’s high school
team. Since then, she has taken classes, taught classes, and even danced as a member of the
TCDC Company. Tara and TCDC have been an integral part of her dance career for over 8
years.
She is now a senior at the University of Colorado at Boulder studying Integrative Physiology.
She is a fourth-year member of the CU Dance Team and leads her team as a captain. She has an undying passion for dance and hopes to inspire others to love the art just as she does. Courtney looks forward to utilizing her competitive and endearing teaching styles to help her students become the dancers and people they dream of becoming!
Courtney's Teaching Schedule
Monday:
3:30 - CHS Team Technique
4:30 - Flock Rehearsals
She continued to dance competitively with Artistic Fusion until her freshman year, when she
made the Varsity Poms Team at Legacy High School. Her time as a Pom at Legacy brought a
state runner-up title, National competitions as well as the privilege to perform at Half time at the Orange Bowl.
Courtney met Tara Cluck in 2012 when Tara was a choreographer for Courtney’s high school
team. Since then, she has taken classes, taught classes, and even danced as a member of the
TCDC Company. Tara and TCDC have been an integral part of her dance career for over 8
years.
She is now a senior at the University of Colorado at Boulder studying Integrative Physiology.
She is a fourth-year member of the CU Dance Team and leads her team as a captain. She has an undying passion for dance and hopes to inspire others to love the art just as she does. Courtney looks forward to utilizing her competitive and endearing teaching styles to help her students become the dancers and people they dream of becoming!
Courtney's Teaching Schedule
Monday:
3:30 - CHS Team Technique
4:30 - Flock Rehearsals
Ellie Himyak
Ellie began dancing when she was 7 years old at a studio where she danced competitively until high school. Once in high school Ellie joined the Legacy High School Poms program and was simultaneously introduced to TCDC. After graduating from high school she began college at CU Boulder. More presently, she has been made a member of the CU Dance Team and am looking forward to her first year on the team as well as her first year as an instructor at TCDC!
Ellie's Teaching Schedule
Thursday:
4:00 - Jazz/Hip Hop Combo ages 4-5
Saturday:
9:00am - Princess Ballet
9:45am - Ballet/Tap Combo
Ellie's Teaching Schedule
Thursday:
4:00 - Jazz/Hip Hop Combo ages 4-5
Saturday:
9:00am - Princess Ballet
9:45am - Ballet/Tap Combo
Michael Jaycox
Michael Jaycox has spent nearly two decades of his life dancing. Growing up in Colorado, he was extremely lucky to train with amazing teachers such as Misha Hamilton, Tony Testa, Gary Kendall, Kenny Jimenez, and John Gillette. With the help of these mentors, Michael has made dance his lifelong passion. Professionally, Michael has had the opportunity to dance throughout Denver, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, performing with artists such as Vanilla Ice, Coolio, Digital Underground, and others.
Michael's Teaching Schedule
Tuesday:
5:00 - Company Hip Hop Elements
6:00 - Company Chicks Hip Hop
7:00 - Hip Hop ages 13+
Friday:
4:00 - Hip Hop Tricks
Michael's Teaching Schedule
Tuesday:
5:00 - Company Hip Hop Elements
6:00 - Company Chicks Hip Hop
7:00 - Hip Hop ages 13+
Friday:
4:00 - Hip Hop Tricks
Julie Lee
Julie Lee is a Colorado native and discovered her passion for dance after taking her first class at
the age of 12. During her grade school and college years, she dedicated her time training in the
studio, traveling to master classes, and attending numerous conventions and competitions on
scholarship. Over the years, Julie has performed professionally in California, Mexico, and all
across Colorado. She is also a former member of Rogue Dance Co. and a current member and
choreographer for The Janes. Skills aside, dancing should feel good - Julie continues to dance
because it brings her inevitable joy, and that is exactly what she strives for her students!
Julie's Teaching Schedule
Wednesday:
7:00 - Company Hip Hop - Intermediate
8:00 - Company Hip Hop - Advanced
the age of 12. During her grade school and college years, she dedicated her time training in the
studio, traveling to master classes, and attending numerous conventions and competitions on
scholarship. Over the years, Julie has performed professionally in California, Mexico, and all
across Colorado. She is also a former member of Rogue Dance Co. and a current member and
choreographer for The Janes. Skills aside, dancing should feel good - Julie continues to dance
because it brings her inevitable joy, and that is exactly what she strives for her students!
Julie's Teaching Schedule
Wednesday:
7:00 - Company Hip Hop - Intermediate
8:00 - Company Hip Hop - Advanced
Jordan Lefton
Jordan Lefton, a native of West Palm Beach, Florida, graduated from The Juilliard School in May of 2015. Jordan danced at Thomas Dance Studio from the age of five, and later moved on to study dance at Alexander W. Dreyfoos High School of the Arts where he was able to further his training.
Over the years, Jordan has trained in ballet, among many other techniques including Limón, Horton, Gaga, Graham, contemporary partnering, contact improvisation, and tap. He has worked with many talented teachers and choreographers including Lawrence Rhodes, Risa Steinberg, Lar Lubovitch, Loni Landon, Troy Powell, Andra Corvino, Francisco Martinez, Alphonse Poulin, and Larry Keigwin.
Jordan also enjoys teaching and has done so for the past nine years. He plans to keep spreading the art of dance to as many people as possible. Jordan spent the last three years dancing with James Sewell Ballet in Minneapolis, MN and has since moved to Denver, CO.
Jordan's Teaching Schedule
Friday:
4:00 - Tap I
5:00 - Tap II
6:00 - Tap III
Over the years, Jordan has trained in ballet, among many other techniques including Limón, Horton, Gaga, Graham, contemporary partnering, contact improvisation, and tap. He has worked with many talented teachers and choreographers including Lawrence Rhodes, Risa Steinberg, Lar Lubovitch, Loni Landon, Troy Powell, Andra Corvino, Francisco Martinez, Alphonse Poulin, and Larry Keigwin.
Jordan also enjoys teaching and has done so for the past nine years. He plans to keep spreading the art of dance to as many people as possible. Jordan spent the last three years dancing with James Sewell Ballet in Minneapolis, MN and has since moved to Denver, CO.
Jordan's Teaching Schedule
Friday:
4:00 - Tap I
5:00 - Tap II
6:00 - Tap III
Lauren McCall
Lauren grew up in Orange County, California and began dancing at the age of 3. She has trained extensively in jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop, Pom, and contemporary. Lauren danced competitively at both The Dance Spot and Cutting Edge Dance Center as well as on Troy High School’s dance team. With these teams she won multiple regional and national titles including a Worlds title.
Lauren is currently a senior at the University of Colorado and a member of the CU Dance Team. She is double majoring in Psychology and Neuroscience with the hopes of continuing on to med school.
Lauren's Teaching Schedule
Monday:
8:30am - Prairie View Team Technique
Lauren is currently a senior at the University of Colorado and a member of the CU Dance Team. She is double majoring in Psychology and Neuroscience with the hopes of continuing on to med school.
Lauren's Teaching Schedule
Monday:
8:30am - Prairie View Team Technique
Carrie Nitchoff
Carrie Nitchoff found her love of dance at the age of four and has been dancing ever since. She has extensive training and teaching experience in jazz, ballet, tap, lyrical, pom, and cheer. She studied at The Dance Shoppe in Phoenix, Arizona and was a member of their competitive and performing team for 10 years. Carrie has also performed in the Arizona Ballet’s “ The Nutcracker”. During her training, Carrie has also studied with some of America’s most respected teachers including Jackie Sleight, Joe Tremaine, and Roland Dupree. She was a member of her high school dance team, and upon graduating became a staff member for the United Spirit Association teaching and directing dance camps throughout the western United States. Carrie has assisted in choreography and production of the John Elway’s
retirement half-time show and the opening of Invesco Field celebration. Carrie is a graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. She also has her teaching degree and teaches high school science. With over 30 years of dance teaching experience, Carrie’s teaching approach is engaging, confident, upbeat, and positive. She loves to teach all ages and wants to share her love of dance with her students.
Carrie's Teaching Schedule
Tuesday:
3:30 - Ballet/Tap Combo ages 2-3
4:15 - Ballet/Tap Combo ages 3-4
5:00 - Ballet/Tap Combo ages 4-6
retirement half-time show and the opening of Invesco Field celebration. Carrie is a graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. She also has her teaching degree and teaches high school science. With over 30 years of dance teaching experience, Carrie’s teaching approach is engaging, confident, upbeat, and positive. She loves to teach all ages and wants to share her love of dance with her students.
Carrie's Teaching Schedule
Tuesday:
3:30 - Ballet/Tap Combo ages 2-3
4:15 - Ballet/Tap Combo ages 3-4
5:00 - Ballet/Tap Combo ages 4-6
Natalie Nitchoff
Natalie was born and raised in Broomfield, Colorado and has been dancing since age 3 doing hip hop, ballet, jazz, contemporary and tap. At age 6 she started competing and that’s when she fell in love with dance. She traveled as an LA Dance Magic apprentice for 5 years. During this she assisted and trained under artists such as Ayodele Casel, Jackie Sleight, Eddie Moody, DJ Guthrie, Christian Vincent, Will Thomas and Albert Blaise Cattafi. Natalie is now a company member on Rogue Dance Company. She also is a dance teacher and a creative producer for Idina Menzel’s company A Broader Way. Natalie is currently a senior at the Colorado State University studying hospitality.
Natalie's Teaching Schedule
Wednesday:
6:00 - Flock Jazz Combo II
Thursday:
6:00 - Performance Line Hip Hop I
7:00 - Performance Line Hip Hop II
Natalie's Teaching Schedule
Wednesday:
6:00 - Flock Jazz Combo II
Thursday:
6:00 - Performance Line Hip Hop I
7:00 - Performance Line Hip Hop II
Abbey Nugent
Abbey is a Colorado native, who grew up in Highlands Ranch and now calls Denver her home. She trained in all disciplines of dance as a child at Starstruck Academy of Dance. She also spent time on her High School Dance Team that took home a state championship her captain/senior year. Abbey then continued her love for dance all the way to The University of Colorado Boulder. Attending UDA College Nationals 4 years in a row, her and her team placed in the Top 10 every year in both Jazz and Pom categories. Abbey served her senior year as captain of the CU dance team as well.
After graduating in 2016, Abbey decided to move to Thailand to teach English. After her return she was eager to get back into the studio. Since being back she has helped teach multiple classes and intensives at TCDC. She has also performed in the National Jewish Health and Flight to Luxury fundraisers and has helped choreograph local dance team routines.
Abbey is furthering her education and currently receiving a Masters in Elementary Education while also being a part time cycling instructor. She intends on bringing that high energy and exciting pace to her classes. Abbey is ready to share her knowledge and passion for dance with all of the TCDC family!
Abbey's Teaching Schedule
Monday:
3:15 - Lil Hip Hop ages 4-6
4:00 - Boys Hip Hop ages 6-8
4:45 - Boys Hip Hop ages 9-12
After graduating in 2016, Abbey decided to move to Thailand to teach English. After her return she was eager to get back into the studio. Since being back she has helped teach multiple classes and intensives at TCDC. She has also performed in the National Jewish Health and Flight to Luxury fundraisers and has helped choreograph local dance team routines.
Abbey is furthering her education and currently receiving a Masters in Elementary Education while also being a part time cycling instructor. She intends on bringing that high energy and exciting pace to her classes. Abbey is ready to share her knowledge and passion for dance with all of the TCDC family!
Abbey's Teaching Schedule
Monday:
3:15 - Lil Hip Hop ages 4-6
4:00 - Boys Hip Hop ages 6-8
4:45 - Boys Hip Hop ages 9-12
Marlana Qualls
Marlana Qualls began her training in Colorado with Tricia Fastabend-Stuercke and Christina Noel Adcock. Marlana also trained on merit scholarship with Summer Dance Lab, Walnut Hill Performing Arts School, Milwaukee Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Joffrey Ballet and Lauridson Dance Center.
She graduated high school early to pursue her professional career and moved to California to dance with Peninsula Dance Theatre, South Bay Ballet, and Kenneth Walker Dance Project. There she continued her training with Patricia Stander, Diane Lauridson, Alicia Head, Charles Maple, Kenneth Walker and Candice Davis and had original works created on her by Charles Maple, Kenneth Walker, and Elloy Barrigan. She danced lead rolls in many ballets such as The Nutcracker, Graduation Ball, Cinderella, Twelve Dancing Princesses, Esmerelda, Incident at Black Briar, Silent Movie, Paquita, and La Bayadere.
In 2005 Marlana returned to Colorado to dance for Ballet Nouveau Colorado where she danced many original works and in ballets such as Moulin Rouge and Beauty and the Beast. When not working with BNC Marlana was a principal dancer for Shades of Gray Contemporary Dance Theatre, and a Principal dancer for Denver Chamber Orchestra's dance series
Marlana has been invited to perform at the Lester Horton Awards in Hollywood, CA, and has received top honors at Regional Dance America. In 2007 she was invited to demonstrate for Master Ballet Instructor Finis Jhung at Perry Mansfield's Teacher Workshop in Steamboat Springs. Marlana has over fifteen years of teaching experience and continues to work as a free lance choreographer and master class teacher. She is the mother of two beautiful boys, and she and her husband are expecting their third babe in late November! They also have six chihuahuas who can all pirouette!
Marlana's Teaching Schedule
Tuesday:
3:15 - Fairytale Ballet ages 3-4
4:00 - Pre Ballet
5:00 - Company Chicks Ballet
6:00 - Pointe
7:00 - Company Ballet
She graduated high school early to pursue her professional career and moved to California to dance with Peninsula Dance Theatre, South Bay Ballet, and Kenneth Walker Dance Project. There she continued her training with Patricia Stander, Diane Lauridson, Alicia Head, Charles Maple, Kenneth Walker and Candice Davis and had original works created on her by Charles Maple, Kenneth Walker, and Elloy Barrigan. She danced lead rolls in many ballets such as The Nutcracker, Graduation Ball, Cinderella, Twelve Dancing Princesses, Esmerelda, Incident at Black Briar, Silent Movie, Paquita, and La Bayadere.
In 2005 Marlana returned to Colorado to dance for Ballet Nouveau Colorado where she danced many original works and in ballets such as Moulin Rouge and Beauty and the Beast. When not working with BNC Marlana was a principal dancer for Shades of Gray Contemporary Dance Theatre, and a Principal dancer for Denver Chamber Orchestra's dance series
Marlana has been invited to perform at the Lester Horton Awards in Hollywood, CA, and has received top honors at Regional Dance America. In 2007 she was invited to demonstrate for Master Ballet Instructor Finis Jhung at Perry Mansfield's Teacher Workshop in Steamboat Springs. Marlana has over fifteen years of teaching experience and continues to work as a free lance choreographer and master class teacher. She is the mother of two beautiful boys, and she and her husband are expecting their third babe in late November! They also have six chihuahuas who can all pirouette!
Marlana's Teaching Schedule
Tuesday:
3:15 - Fairytale Ballet ages 3-4
4:00 - Pre Ballet
5:00 - Company Chicks Ballet
6:00 - Pointe
7:00 - Company Ballet
Brittany Reddy
Brittany has been dancing since she was two and trained competitively at Artistic Fusion Dance Academy from age four to fourteen. She continues her training at Tara Cluck Dance Center and is well versed in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary. She has worked will well known choreographers such as Sonya Tayeh, Jason Parsons, Travis Wall, Brian Freedman, Napoleon and Tabitha D’Umo, Joey Dowling and many more. She was recognized as an Outstanding Dancer for New York City Dance Alliance and traveled to New York, NY to participate in their elite national program twice. She has also traveled to Chicago, IL with Hall of Fame Dance to participate in their National All-Star program, and was a continuous West Coast Dance Explosion Elite Dancer participating in their national programs. In 2006, she won the title of “Highest Scoring Soloist” at their national competition in Las Vegas, NV. In 2011, Brittany became a member of her high school Varsity Poms team as a freshman and served as a captain her senior year. Brittany currently is a member of the University of Colorado Dance Team and was a staff member for Universal Dance Association, traveling to teach high school camps throughout the nation. She also works with multiple Colorado high school teams and has choreographed routines placing in the Top 5 at the CHSAA State Competition. She is excited to share her knowledge with those around her and to witness the growth of the dancers she encounters.
Brittany's Teaching Schedule
Tuesday:
5:00 - Turns and Leaps I
6:00 - Jazz I ages 9-12
7:00 - Pom ages 9-12
8:00 - Flock Rehearsal
Brittany's Teaching Schedule
Tuesday:
5:00 - Turns and Leaps I
6:00 - Jazz I ages 9-12
7:00 - Pom ages 9-12
8:00 - Flock Rehearsal
Hannah Reed
Hannah has been dancing since she was 2 years old and has been competing for nearly 15 years. She trained and competed at Starstruck Academy of Dance from ages 12-18. Hannah also danced on her high schools’s varsity Pom team all 4 years, winning state her first year, and being a team captain and All state recipient her senior year. Hannah is currently a junior on the University of Colorado’s dance team, and trains at TCDC weekly.
Hannah's Teaching Schedule
Wednesday:
5:00 - Hip Hop I ages 9-12
6:00 - Lyrical ages 9-12
Hannah's Teaching Schedule
Wednesday:
5:00 - Hip Hop I ages 9-12
6:00 - Lyrical ages 9-12
Michaela Snow
Michaela has been a dancer since the age of 4. She competed at Shelly True Dance Academy until she was 18, winning the national championship title in her final year. She also danced on in the 2014 Macy’s Day Parade, was a dancer on Columbine Varsity Poms for three years, won the title of Miss Teen Colorado in 2014, and went on the become a member of the CU Dance Team. She is currently a senior at CU as a pre med student studying Integrative Physiology.
Michaela's Teaching Schedule:
Wednesday:
4:00 - Jazz/Hip Hop Combo ages 4-6
Michaela's Teaching Schedule:
Wednesday:
4:00 - Jazz/Hip Hop Combo ages 4-6
Claire Steeno
Claire is happy to be in her fourth year with TCDC! Claire began her dance journey at The Arvada Center where she trained with Christina Noel-Adcock and was part of their pre-professional company for five years until she graduated high school. Since then, Claire’s dance journey has been an interesting one with many twists and turns. Claire studied dance performance for a year at Illinois State University, where she trained with Sarah Semonis, Darby Wilde, and Greg Merrimen, and was selected by guest artist Christie Willis to perform in their fall show. Claire then returned home to go to school closer to home, and it was then that Claire started teaching for TCDC and Evergreen Dance Center. In 2016, Claire danced as an apprentice for Davis Contemporary Dance, and in 2017, she stumbled upon a band called Lost Walks looking for dancers. She has been working and collaborating with them for a year as a modern dancer that travels with the band to most of their live shows. In May 2018, Claire graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from a Metropolitan State University of Denver, and she looks forward to carrying over what she’s learned into her teaching. TCDC is now Claire’s second home and couldn’t be more thankful for everything TCDC does for her and for their community.
Claire's Teaching Schedule
Monday:
4:00 - Ballet/Tap Combo ages 3-5
4:45 - Jazz ages 6-8
Wednesday:
4:00 - Ballet II
5:00 - Ballet III
6:00 - Flock Jazz I
7:00 - Ballet IV
Thursday:
3:30 - Ballet I
4:30 - Ballet I
5:30 - Flock Rehearsal
6:30 - Lyrical ages 13+
7:30 - Jazz ages 13+
Friday:
5:00 - Ballet/Tap Combo ages 4-6
6:00 - Lyrical/Ballet Combo ages 6-8
Claire's Teaching Schedule
Monday:
4:00 - Ballet/Tap Combo ages 3-5
4:45 - Jazz ages 6-8
Wednesday:
4:00 - Ballet II
5:00 - Ballet III
6:00 - Flock Jazz I
7:00 - Ballet IV
Thursday:
3:30 - Ballet I
4:30 - Ballet I
5:30 - Flock Rehearsal
6:30 - Lyrical ages 13+
7:30 - Jazz ages 13+
Friday:
5:00 - Ballet/Tap Combo ages 4-6
6:00 - Lyrical/Ballet Combo ages 6-8