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 (Beg/Int/Adv)
Beginning ballet, starting at age 6, offers younger dancers an introduction to ballet while our ballet class levels range from beginning to pre-professional. Ballet program placement is based on ability, not age, although we do offer adult classes. Advanced level 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 (Beg/Int/Adv)
The Dance Center's tap only program begins at age seven and includes classes for seven year olds through teens, and adults. 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 (Beg/Int/Adv)
Our jazz program starts for dancers at age seven. Beginning jazz is 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 seven 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
The Dance Center's acrobatic/tumbling program begins at age seven 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.
Ashley Shute
Ms. Ashley Shute is TDC's Tap and Jazz/Contemporary Director. She teaches the combo classes, hip hop classes, tap classes and directs our tap company. She also teaches jazz/contemporary and directs its companies. 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!
Lindsey Kellen
Ms. Lindsey Kellen is TDC's Junior Jazz/Contemporary Company Director. She teaches jazz lyrical as well as jazz/contemporary classes. A Colorado native, Lindsey received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in dance from Lindenwood University. Ms. Lindsey is trained in various styles of dance and partner work such as jazz, ballet, tap, lyrical, modern/contemporary, and musical theatre. While attending Lindenwood, located in St. Charles, Missouri, she expanded her knowledge of costume construction and design by working as a stitcher in the J. Scheidegger Center for Performing Arts’ costume shop. Ms. Lindsey also attended Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs and was a senior member of the performance company. She also is a reoccurring guest choreographer for Liberty High School and is the Show Choir Choreographer for Doherty High School. Ms. Lindsey thrives on helping her students grow as artists and realize their full potential!
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.