Classes at The Dance Center
Combo Classes
The Dance Center offers combo classes of tap, ballet and jazz for children three to seven years old. This wonderful introduction to dance includes balance and coordination, beginning technique, plus creative fun and games. Enter the world of imagination where play inspires life!
Ballet & Pointe (Level 1-8)
Beginning ballet offers younger dancers an introduction to ballet while our ballet class levels range from level 8 to pre-professional at level 1. Ballet program placement is based on ability, not age, although we do offer adult classes. Levels 1-3 classes last up to two hours for extended technique and pointe work. Before teaching pointe, we are careful our dancers' bodies are physically ready and strong enough to ensure there are no lifelong injuries from attempting pointe work too early. The dancers in our award-winning ballet company range from age 8 to pre-professional. Each year, our ballet company performs a Ballet in the spring and attends two regional competitions.
Tap (Level 1-5)
The Dance Center's tap only program begins at age seven and includes classes for seven to 10 year olds, 11 year olds through teens, and adults. Tap level 5 is beginning tap with level 1 the most advanced. Tap is a great way to learn coordination, rhythm, and exuberant performance. Our award-winning tap company starts with beginners, as young as age 7, up to our advanced Fabulous Elite Feet Company. Members of The Dance Center's tap company enjoy both performing and competing.
Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical (Level 1-6)
Our jazz program starts for dancers at age seven. Level 6 is beginning jazz for those who have completed a combo class or who have never taken jazz before. Our jazz program offers lyrical, contemporary and modern classes for advanced-intermediate dancers. The high-energy choreography and costumes are age appropriate. Our award-winning Fenix Jazz Company offers quality performance and competition opportunities for dancers age 9 to advanced.
Hip Hop (Beg/Int/Adv)
The Dancer Center's hip hop program begins at age six with teen intermediate/advanced classes, as well. Our hip hop program is fun, creative and high energy, exploring a wide variety of age-appropriate styles in this versatile dance area. The award-winning TDC Prototype Hip Hop Company gives dancers valuable experience both performing and competing in totally fun and original choreography.
Acro (Level 1-5)
The Dance Center's acrobatic/tumbling program begins at age six with classes ranging through intermediate level. Tumbling skills from basic forward rolls and cartwheels up to back tucks and aerials are taught in this program. Tumbling is done on mats for the safety of the students. Classes include basic jazz choreography and acro for dance.
Creative, Experienced Staff
Kathryn Farrell Utke
Ms. Kathryn Utke is TDC's ballet director and the dance studio's owner. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in dance at Stephens College. At Stephens, Kathryn studied ballet, modern, tap, jazz and ethnic dance. Her teachers include Michael Sims of the Royal Canadian Ballet, Kathryn Horne of American Ballet Theater and June Morris of the Paris Opera Ballet. Kathryn choreographed the Kansas Junior Miss Pageant 1987-1992. She danced professionally and taught ballet for more than 25 years. Kathryn joined TDC in 1993 as a ballet instuctor. Kathryn's students appreciate her caring and thorough teaching style.
Rozanne David
Ms. Rozanne David celebrates more than 40 years as a ballet teacher. Ms. David's Russian training with Hazel Bergh and her Royal Academy of Dance studies with Valerie Roche contribute to her eclectic ballet style. Her seasoned teaching technique and collaborative choreography inspire students to stive for technical and creative excellence. Rozanne holds a Fine Arts Certificate from Creighton University and a Bachelor's Degree in Communications from the University of Colorado.
Katie McClendon
Ms. Katie McClendon is TDC's faculty teacher for our studio's jazz and contemporary classes as well as the Contemporary/Jazz Company. She graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. Her training includes Contemporary with Judy Bejarano, who is the director/choreographer of the Contemporary Dance Company "Impact." Katie received her Modern Dance training from Chung-Fu Chang, who danced at The Boston Conservatory. Judy Roderick, a former member of the professional faculty at The Boston Ballet School, The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School and The Colorado Ballet School, trained Katie in ballet. Katie also is a graduate of our dance studio, where she participated in the Ballet and Contemporary/Jazz Companies. She received platinum awards for her solos and group dances. Ms. Katie began her studies for a Masters of Education in June.
Ashley Shute
Ms. Ashley Shute is TDC's Tap Director. She teaches the combo classes, tap classes and directs our tap company. She also teaches teen jazz lyrical and beginning jazz. Ashley graduated from Colorado State University where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance. While at CSU, Ashley performed Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap and Musical Theater. For the last three years, Ms. Ashley taught dance at Studio West Dance Center in Fort Collins, Colo. Her teaching repertoire includes Modern, Lyrical, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theater, Ballet, Hip Hop and Combo. Ms. Ashley loves teaching all ages the world of Dance. Her enthusiasm for the life of dance is infectious!
Jessica Russ (photo coming soon)
Ms. Jessica Russ is the TDC Hip Hop Director, bringing an extensive knowledge of the many styles of hip hop to our students. She has been involved in hip hop for 25 years, starting at the age of 8. She was raised in Phoenix, Arizona, where she began her dance career as a key member of a Phoenix-based hip hop company. Ms. Jessica has studied a variety of dance techniques including Modern and Jazz to Improvisation. Ms. Jessica has been specifically teaching hip hop for the last 10 years and is an adjunct professor at Pikes Peak Community College. She is a founding member of High Altitude Dance Ensemble of Pikes Peak Community College and has choreographed for the Colorado Springs adult hip hop group "Soul Mechanics Krew" that performs in competitions in the Denver and Boulder areas. Ms. Jessica is passionate about hip hop and is excited about taking The Dance Center's students to the next level for our competition season!
Karen Laden
Ms. Karen Laden's bright smile and friendly voice greet you at The Dance Center. She works in the studio's hub of activity behind the front desk, helping parents and students navigate through the administrative world of dance. Karen has a BA degree in journalism from Creighton University and extensive experience in public relations.