Colorado Dance Education Organization

Colorado Dance Education Organization

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The Colorado Dance Education Organization (CoDEO) is a state affiliate of the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO).

CoDEO is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and advocating for dance education in the state of Colorado. CoDEO provides the dance artist and dance educator a state and national network of resources and support, as well as access to programs and projects that focus on the importance of dance in education. The purpose of the Colorado Dance Education Organization shall be to enrich the

Operating as usual

01/26/2025

2025 marks the third year that CoDEO has recognized dance educators for their excellence in dance education. From the many stellar nominations, honorees are selected through a voting process. Nominations are accepted for dance educators who are: K-12, Studio, Independent, Higher Ed, Arts Advocates, Arts Administrators. More info at www.co-deo.org We will be highlighting the awardees over the next posts.

Christina Noel has been teaching ballet 52 years, apprenticing first under the tutelage of her grandmother, a former soloist with the Brussels Opera. Christina received both her ballet training and her teacher training from Finis Jhung principle dancer with the Harkness Ballet; Richard Ellis & Christine DuBoulay, soloists with the Royal Ballet, Patricia Stander from the London Festival Ballet and ballet mistress for Stars of American Ballet Theater, Patrick Franz from the Paris Opera and Hilda Morales soloist with American Ballet Theater. In 14 years as a professional dancer, Christina performed with Chicago Ballet, Tucson Ballet, San Diego Ballet, Nevada Dance Theater, and Colorado Ballet, and taught for the companies’ affiliate schools as well as guest teaching in Vermont, California, New Mexico and Colorado. Since 1987 Christina has taught at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, developing their program and directing and choreographing for their youth company, Arvada Center Dance Theater. She has been the Dance Coordinator since 2004. Ms. Noel has taught company class for Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble since 2009. Most recently, Christina presented at the International Association of Dance Medicine and Sciences international conferences about proper teaching techniques for ballet. Christina is also recognized as a 2024 Colorado Dance Legend by The Dance Archive at University of Denver.



01/25/2025

The CoDEO Dance Conference is NEXT WEEKEND!!! This weekend is a great time to pack your dance bags! Things to include: various leotards & tees in basic black, various tights/leggings from basic black to skin tone for ballet, cover-ups/tees/sweats, water bottle, notepad & pen/pencil, snacks, yoga mat, hair accessories, phone charger, and curiosity!

Check out the conference schedule at www.co-deo.org/conference-schedule-and-pricing

Check out fun things to do and places to eat in Pueblo at visitpueblo.org

*Colleges noted are participating or have participated in the past


Photos from Colorado Dance Education Organization's post 01/24/2025

Let's Go! The CoDEO 11th Annual Dance Conference is just eight days away!!! Flying by! Final registration today by midnight! Go to www.co-deo.org!

Aminta Remisosky will be presenting “Contact Improv Bites” to students at the conference.

This movement session will be a sampling of a few simple concepts from contact improvisation. Whether you have never done this form before or are really experienced, there is something to gain from dancing with others and connecting in safe, simple ways. Contact improv teaches dancers how to be intuitive, considerate, decisive, and supportive while enabling movement that can’t be done on our own. Come enjoy an hour of mindful movement and experimentation.

Aminta graduated from NYU in 2020 with an MA in Dance Education and an MFA in Dance. She earned her BA in Dance from Colorado State University in 2017. She is an active member of NDEO, as well as a certified instructor in the ABT National Training Curriculum. Aminta has assisted in projects furthering dance access including the creation of a lesson bank for Colorado teachers, growing the Steinhardt Dance Education Association, teaching workshop students in Uganda, presenting research for the Bimson Seminar, and writing a thesis on intrinsic motivation. She began teaching at Liberty High School in Colorado in 2023.


01/20/2025

The lessons we learn in dance are applicable to life outside the studio and stage, becoming better citizens for it. May we take pause today reflecting on the history, impact and lessons of the legend, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is always ripe to do right.”

The perpetuity of dance is based upon the trust and application of knowledge of those who have come before us. The caliber of what we see today is based on the respect, truths, questioning, testing, and development of knowledge passed down from generations. In order for all of our students of dance to succeed they must be acknowledged, provided corrections based on truths, through respect, encouragement, kindness and compassion. Every class, every rehearsal, every performance, we dance educators have to choose what is right for each and every student, dancer, peer, volunteer, production to have success on all levels; without this dance would not continue.

The lessons we learn in dance are applicable to life outside the studio and stage; “We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is always ripe to do right.” from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” (1963) and “the time is always right to what is right” multiple speeches including the Oberlin College commencement speech, 1965, and addressing Illinois Wesleyan University, 1966.



Image borrowed from online resource. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2025

Photos from Colorado Dance Education Organization's post 01/19/2025

2025 marks the third year that CoDEO has recognized dance educators for their excellence in dance education. From the many stellar nominations, honorees are selected through a voting process. Nominations are accepted for dance educators who are: K-12, Studio, Independent, Higher Ed, Arts Advocates, Arts Administrators. More info at www.co-deo.org

We will be highlighting the awardees over the next posts starting with the inaugural 2023 year.

Paige C. Farlow, a midwest native, began her dance training with the Janet Lang Dance Studio in Rochester, MN. Paige has trained across multiple genres, making her a knowledgeable, versatile & well rounded dancer & choreographer. She has training in ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, modern, contemporary, swing, hip hop, poms, high kick, African & Bollywood.

Professionally, she began teaching dance in high school & has taught at multiple dance studios in Minnesota, Wisconsin & Colorado. She directed, choreographed and designed for two Denver High School Dance Companies - Noel Dance Company & East Dance Company creating over 20 full length dance productions. Paige has choreographed several musicals & vocal music performances, marching band, flag core & fashion shows. She has developed & instructed several dance fitness classes such as hip hop aerobics & dance focused stretching & strength training for local fitness centers. As a licensed special educator, her specialty is creating dance opportunities for students with emotional/behavioral & cognitive disabilities. She has created multiple programs with specialized dance curriculum to make dance accessible to all across multiple genres for public dance education.

Paige holds a Colorado Teaching License with special education certification & a dance education endorsement. She served as a Regional Team Specialist where she trained other dance educators & provided them with valuable resources to implement dance curriculum into their school based dance programs. She is founder of P.Christine Choreography, LLC, which allows her to fuse her three passions together - dance, mentoring & teaching.


Photos from Colorado Dance Education Organization's post 01/17/2025

Warm vibes this winter with Jontae Piper from Glenda Florez’ Kalama Polynesian Dancers presenting the Tahitian Dance Ote’a at the 11th Annual CoDEO Dance Conference. Register today at www.co-deo.org

Students and Educators will start with Tahitian Dance Basics warm-up, learn 5 basic Tahitian Dance movements, and learn an Ote’a (a fast paced Tahitian dance choreography) that features a fun theme.

Experience the fast paced dance from the islands of Tahiti. This choreography will feature an ‘Ori Tahiti that is danced to the traditional drum beats of Tahiti. The dance learned will be a traditional Ote’a. The Ote’a is a traditional dance from Tahiti characterized by a rapid hip-shaking motion to percussion accompaniment.

Jontae’s Polynesian dance journey began in 2012, sparked by the Polynesian dancers she watched perform while in Hawaii. She joined Halau Kalama shortly after her return and has been dancing under the instruction of Glenda “Aiwa” Florez since then. She has also represented Halau Kalama in numerous competitions, most recently placing first at the Polynesian Days Utah Ori Tahiti competition. Currently assists with teaching Intermediate Tahitian for Halau Kalama. Her goal is to perpetuate the Polynesian culture through the music and the dance, and invite people to learn more about these beautiful islands that have inspired so much passion within her.


01/15/2025

The LITTLES!!!! Amy Schaefer & Bethanny Shea present “Increasing Engagement and Inspiring Excellence in Early Childhood Dance” at the 11th Annual Dance Conference, February 1-2, at the Pueblo Convention Center! Did you register yet? Link in the bio or www.co-deo.org

Technical success & student retention in early childhood dance are profoundly dependent on the engagement level of our youngest students. While popular music, costumes & props can initially attract these dancers, deeper engagement strategies are necessary to sustain their attention long term & to ignite the passion that retains them through the years. Achieving this deeper engagement then opens the door to inspire the pursuit of excellence in preschool & elementary classes. Studios as a whole benefit when we invest in the earliest opportunities to instill habits of excellence that will carry our students into competitive & pre-professional environments. The strategies we will cover have been developed over 40 years of combined experience teaching, creating curriculum & training instructors. These practical & easy-to-implement concepts have been tested & proven with hundreds of students, applying to all styles of dance & supporting students of all neuro-developmental abilities. Topics covered include:
1. Building Relational Currency to Increase Student Buy-In
2. Maximizing Transitions to Prevent Disengagement
3. Using Props to Connect Imagery with Tangible Concepts
4. Developing Repeatable Class Plans to Boost Efficiency
5. And more!

Amy Schaefer and Bethanny Shea have a combined 40 years of teaching experience specializing in early childhood dance education & are as passionate about training teachers as they are students. Schaefer graduated with a B.F.A. in ballet & danced professionally with Wichita Ballet Theatre & Ballet Emmanuel. Shea has taught, choreographed, & created curriculum for numerous dance & theatrical organizations, winning a 2017 Pikes Peak Arts Council Award for her choreography of Meredith Wilson’s The Music Man. Both Schaefer & Shea are current faculty members of Colorado Ballet Society in Colorado Springs, CO.

01/11/2025

Why Tap? Why Now? Gloria Latimer leads an interactive session for educators at the 11th Annual CoDEO Dance Conference discussing results from a qualitative research study conduced with "Tappin thru Time" students at Ormao Dance School. Focusing on why older adult students start and continue tap dancing and provide tips for teaching older adults which can be adapted to reach older adult students in your community or studio. Attendees will be invited to participate in a sample class lesson with "Tappin' thru Time" students.

Register today at www.co-deo.org for the February 1-2 Conference at the Pueblo Convention Center, Pueblo, Colorado.

Gloria Latimer: Ed.S. Gloria took her first dance classes at the age of ten and continued dancing through college and as time allowed in her career as an educator and public health administrator. In retirement, she focuses on volunteer work serving as a Planning Commissioner for Manitou Springs, CO and as Secretary and current Board President of the Ormao Dance Company and School. She is a teacher of adult tap classes "Tappin' thru Time" for the school.

Mary Ann Kluge: Ph.D. is Professor Emerita from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Mary Ann is a recognized expert in promotion of physical activity with specific expertise in adapted physical activity and qualitative research. In retirement, she is a guest lecturer, researcher and serves on the Board for the Ormao Dance Company and School and is a "Tappin' thru Time" student.


Photos from Colorado Dance Education Organization's post 01/09/2025

Ballet and the Power of "No" will be presented by Beth Twigs for students attending the 11th Annual CoDEO Dance Conference, February 1-2, at the Pueblo Convention Center in Pueblo, Colorado.

The topic of consent is finally making its way into more ballet studios. Ballet educators are exploring ways in which we can ask for, give, and integrate consent and consent based practices into our studio classrooms. In many of our classes, we often ask for consent from students: "may I touch you?," "would you demonstrate?," "can we try?" etc. But are we actually asking? Are we truly prepared to hear a "no" from students?

Throughout this workshop, I will discuss ways in which our own histories, experiences, and relationships to the word "no" inform our consent practices as we teach ballet. Attendees will explore how our own individual reactions to the word "no" can go on to inform and impact the culture, learning, and environment within our studio classes. We will look into ways in which our own reactions to "no" could potentially better reflect our personal beliefs surrounding consent and the use of touch with the ballet world.

Beth Twigs is a dance Choreographer, Professor, Researcher, Director, and Producer. She spent the majority of her professional performing career dancing with Ballet Austin and, after receiving her MFA from the University of Washington in 2024, is currently a Lecturer, Assistant at The University of Wyoming focusing primarily on ballet in their Theatre & Dance Department. Beth’s choreographic and scholarly research focuses largely on the topics of gender, gender-based violence, consent, dance-theater, cross-disciplinary collaboration, dancer advocacy and empowerment, humorous absurdity, and pleasurable ballet.

Photos: Shannon Carpenter

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01/07/2025

Jumpstart your day with a dynamic warm-up session created to help you dance your best from the very first step! Sunday morning warm-up with Dr. Alyssa Arms! The Dance Lab: Blending Art & Science for Peak Performance.

Register today for the 11th Annual CoDEO Dance Conference, February 1-2, 2025. See link in bio or go to www.co-deo.org.

This workshop combines the latest dance science with practical, easy-to-use techniques to boost your performance and prep your mind and body for a full day of dancing. You’ll experience a series of exercises designed to get your blood flowing, increase focus, and reduce your chance of injury, setting you up to nail every class and rehearsal. While this session is crafted with dancers in mind, dance educators looking to bring science-backed warm-up routines into their teaching are more than welcome (and encouraged!) to join.

Dr. Alyssa Arms, PT, DPT, OCS is a physical therapist, educator, and dancer. She is the owner of Back in Step Physical Therapy, where she specializes in working with dancers of all ages and genres. Dr. Alyssa works with dancers and dance teachers in her clinic, in the studio, and at events. With over 30 years of dance training, she continues to take classes across a variety of styles and is a current competitor on the national circuit for West Coast Swing. She is also on faculty for a physical therapy program and guest lecturer for dance education students.

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Photos from Colorado Dance Education Organization's post 01/05/2025

The 11th Annual Dance Conference Sunday morning warm up with Terri Jo Englund and Pilates is a method of strengthening your core while lengthening your limbs. It helps dancers of all ages, get in touch with their center and strengthen their posture among other things.

Later Sunday, Terri Jo will lead a discussion on turnout in dance with educators, Let’s Talk Turnout. Insights regarding proper turnout, how to achieve it, maintain it and not over do it will be part of the discussion. Participants are encouraged to bring their knowledge and experience to share.

Terri Jo Englund received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in ballet and her Master of Arts in modern dance from the University of Cincinnati. There she studied with Denise Warner Limolli, Oleg Sublime, and James Truitte. After graduation, she became the principal ballerina for the Springfield Ballet Company then moved on to Chicago to be on scholarship with Gus Giordano jazz dance Chicago dance company. After performing with several companies in the area, she created her own company, TJ and Company Dance Theater. She was the Artistic Director, primary choreographer and performer with her company for 12 years. Terri Jo has taught at numerous studios in the Chicagoland area including teaching at Northwestern University. She recently moved to Colorado where she was teaching Ballet at Canyon Concert Ballet for the last four years and has been part of the dance faculty at Front Range Community College. In addition to teaching ballet, jazz and modern Dance, Terri is also certified in and teaches Gyrokinesis, Pilates Mat and Aerial Yoga.

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Photos from Colorado Dance Education Organization's post 01/04/2025

Shahrzad Khorsandi presents: Fluidity with A Pulse to educators attending the 11th Annual CoDEO Dance Conference, Feb. 1-2, at the Pueblo Convention Center.

Fluidity with A Pulse: Fluidity is often defined as ‘easy flow’, ‘smooth elegance’ & ‘‘grace’. Another definition is ‘the state of being unsettled or unstable’ or ‘changeability.’ Persian dance is often described as graceful & fluid, due to its use of circular & spiral shapes, smooth transitions between movements & its synergetic effect when performed with music. Elegance & grace are visually evident in the dance style, the kinetic sensation of the fluid movement transcends aesthetics. This attunement to change results in a sense of stability within the state of instability. The ability to instantly adapt to change (“going with the flow”) is, in itself, a grounding experience. Persians historically used both of these phenomena (fluidity & pulse) to survive political turmoil & regime changes. Ceremonies & rituals are the pulse of the culture, while slow & smooth transitions in everyday activities & in people’s relationships create fluidity within the culture. Both are reflected in the dance & music, & when practiced together, can activate a surge of empowerment that is beneficial for people of any cultural background anywhere in the world.

This movement session will explore fluidity & pulse through short Persian dance sequences assembled to form a combination that is visually graceful & kinetically/sensually empowering.

Shahrzad Khorsandi is an Iranian-born, globally recognized dancer & choreographer with a master’s degree in Creative Arts from San Francisco State University. Cofounder of Iranian Dance Academy, Artistic Director of Shahrzad Dance Company, a cofounder & committee member of the Dance Center of Iran, & a Teaching Artist for Youth in Arts & East Bay Center for the Performing Arts. Author of, The Art of Persian Dance, as well as several academic articles & book chapters, & a member of an international research team studying the effects of dance on the psyche & the brain.

Photo credit: Blue dress by Dana Davis; Gold/Green dresses by Reza Khosravi

Photos from Colorado Dance Education Organization's post 01/03/2025

Vivian Kim is presenting K-Pop and U.S. Hip Hop Culture: Appropriation or Appreciation? The Performance of Blackness in K-Pop Music Culture to educators at the 11th Annual CoDEO Dance Conference, February 1-2, at the Pueblo Conference.

This lecture/demonstration course discusses the globalized influences of Black American Culture (Hip Hop) on K-Pop music & musicians. Westernization has undoubtedly impacted South Korean culture, music, & fashion; with much of its musical influences being garnered from Hip Hop Culture in the United States. Since the beginnings of K-Pop from Kim Sisters Trio, to Hyun Jin Young and the Wa Was, to Druken Tiger, to BlackPink, K-Pop has molded & utilized elements of U.S. Hip Hop Culture & rap music to gain & maintain it’s universal popularity. However, the analyzation of S. Korea’s treatment & acceptance of Black/African/African-American/Carribean people’s brings forth the question of authenticity & genuine appreciation of the U.S. Hip Hop Culture & its creators.

Vivian Kim, MFA, is a dance educator & choreographer currently based in Indiana, where she
is a full time lecturer for the dance program in the Department of Theatre and Dance at Purdue
University. Prior to moving to Indiana, Vivian taught, lectured, & choreographed for many
different institutions including, but not limited to, Red Rocks Community College, CU Boulder,
Denver School of the Arts, Front Range Community College, & others. She is also a former
Co-Founder & Co-Artistic Director of VisKosity Dance Collective, an interdisciplinary dance
company that utilized Street dance & modern dance movement. Vivian currently serves on
the Board of Directors for Mi Chantli Arts and Movement Sanctuary & the Boulder Ballet. This
is Vivian’s first year presenting & teaching for the CoDEO conference and she’s excited about
sharing her passion & love for dance and K-Pop.

Stay up-to-date with Vivian through instagram or her website www.vkdances.com.


01/02/2025

It’s a new year… bring it on in Stephanie Kobes-Newcomb’s class How to move like a Ninja through Modern/Contemporary Movement at the 11th Annual Dance Conference, February 1-2. Register at www.co-deo.org

In this masterclass, explore how to embody the stealth, agility & fluidity of a ninja through modern & contemporary dance techniques. Developing a heightened awareness of space, efficient & controlled transitions & the ability to move seamlessly between explosive power & quiet precision. Dancers will engage in exercises designed to improve balance, core strength & fluidity while incorporating sharp, dynamic movements. Explore concepts of stillness, momentum & timing as you learn how to navigate the floor with stealth-like grace & intensity. From low-grounded movements to quick aerial transitions, challenging you to move with the precision & stealth of a ninja while maintaining the emotional depth of contemporary dance. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your technical skills or delve into movement that blends control & abandon, you will leave feeling powerful, agile & connected to your inner ninja.

Stephanie Kobes-Newcomb is a teacher, choreographer & artist. Current Chair of the Dance Department at Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) in Colorado Springs. She holds her Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Stephanie has trained & worked in New York City studying under Paul Taylor, David Parsons, Amy Marshall, Nia Love, & Katiti King among others. She has performed in works by Onye Ozuzu, Gaberiel Masson, Michelle Ellsworth, Toby Hankin, Nada Diachenko, Billy Chang, Isabel Gotzkowsky, Sasha Soreff, Kathleen Hurley, & Katie Elliott. Dance for camera work has been screened internationally at Sans Souci Festival of Dance Cinema, tanZArt ostwest in Giessen, Germany, & the International Video Dance Festival of Burgandy. Former member of 3rd Law Dance Theatre in Boulder for two years & also choreographed for Ormao Dance Company in Colorado Springs for multiple performances.


12/31/2024

The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can - Neil Gaiman

May you start the new year well with hope, joy and community.

We look forward to supporting you in dance. See you soon!

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12/30/2024

Danielle Heller will be presenting Community supports Growth: Explore NDEO's Independent Sector Mentorship Program (ISMP) for Educators attending the 11th Annual CoDEO Dance Conference Feb. 1-2, 2025. Register today at www.co-deo.org

NDEO's ISMP is now in its second year & thriving with both mentors & mentees from around the world coming together to share experience & ideas. Join us & learn if this program might be a good fit for you as either a Mentor or Mentee. This program serves as a support system for independent sector teachers & studio owners with fewer than five years of experience (mentees) in the field of dance education. The program also provides those with five or more years of experience in the Independent Sector (mentors) an opportunity to share their experience & lend guidance to these emerging dance educators. In addition, the ISMP offers collaborative mentorship opportunities for those interested in cooperative learning.
Mentorship pairings will be matched in terms of similarities in job attributes, learner populations, & needs assessment. Both mentor & mentee should plan for a two-year commitment, however, it may continue & grow in an alternate form for as long as the participants wish.
Independent Sector Dance Educators include: Private Studio Owners & Teachers, Independent Teachers, Emerging Studio Owners, Undergraduate & Graduate Students interested in the independent sector & Teaching artists

Danielle is owner & artistic director of Peak Academy of Dance. Holds a Masters in Education, Type D Administrative License, Dance Endorsement & is pursuing her Ph.D. in Archetypal Mythology with an emphasis in Jungian Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Worked extensively with the Colorado Department of Education, serving as chair for the Colorado Dance Endorsement Comm. & chair/co-chair for the Colorado Dance Standards Revision. A core member of Women in Tap: Taps Are Talking,1999-2009. 2013-2015 the founder & Artistic Director of The Rhythm Tree Tap Company. A founding CoDEO board member. Currently, a Committee Member & Mentor for NDEO’s Independent Sector Mentorship Program.
Full bio: www.peakdance.com

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