Laura Davis, Director
Laura Davis has been the Director of The Dance Center for 26 years. She is admired for her energy, enthusiasm, creative choreography and the love she shares with her students. Laura received her dance education through the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music under the direction of Mme. Vera Sears, former member of Hanya Holm’s modern dance company and the Berlin Ballet. Ms. Davis graduated from the University of Colorado. She has served as a Master Teacher for Dance Spotlight National Tour, guest teacher for Metro State College in Denver, and judge for The Aurora Ballet Competition and Showbiz National Dance Competition. “Miss Laura’s” combo classes instilled the joy of dance in our very youngest student for over 25 years and her distinctive tap choreography has won many awards at national competitions.


Athena Baschal, Ballet Director
Athena received her dance training from Stanley Holden, Kathryn Etienne, Jillana and Sally Whalen. She has performed The Nutcracker, with the San Francisco Ballet and has appeared on numerous television shows including All in the Family and The Red Skelton Comedy Hour. Athena’s dance and choreography credits include The Liberace Show (Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe), The Young Americans Show (Cannes, France), and A Gershwin Festival (U.S. National Tour). Athena earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California-Irvine, and her Masters in Education degree from Regis University. At The Dance Center, Athena teaches ballet, jazz, and combo classes. She is also the new director of the DanceQuest program, and of The Dance Center ballet ensembles. (Thank you, Miss Rozanne!)


Tasha Redder, Jazz Director
Tasha began her dance training at age 14 in Phoenix, Arizona under the direction of Patti Gregersen. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, with an emphasis in Choreography, from Arizona State University, under the direction of Elina Mooney, Karen Schupp, and Cynthia Roses-Thema. While studying Modern Dance and Contemporary Ballet at ASU, she also studied independently in Jazz under Jeremy Miller and Classical Ballet under Lori Sylvestri. Tasha is currently in her third year at The Dance Center teaching jazz, modern, and ballet, and directing the Tanzen and Visions Ensembles. When not at TDC, Tasha leads the youth ministry at her church with her husband, Matt.


Nicole Ridenour, Tap Director
Nicole began her dance education at The Dance Center under the instruction of Miss Laura from age 5 through high school. Nicole progressed to become a member of The Dance Center’s senior performing ensembles, winning awards both regionally and nationally. Proficient in ballet, jazz, and tap, Nicole’s first love is tap. She began apprenticing in high school and began teaching during her junior year. Nicole has taken master classes under the instruction of Savion Glover and Darren Contessa. Miss Nicole moved to Arizona for five years and after moving back to Colorado in 2002, she rejoined The Dance Center and became director of Fabulous Feet senior tap ensemble and in 2005 began directing the Junior Tap Ensemble as well. Nicole’s tap classes are both challenging and fun, grounded in strong technique with a modern edgy style in her choreography. Miss Nicole has welcomed two children to the world, Reagan and Cole, who you can often see while she is working away as the office manager for TDC as well!


Cindy Kaminski, Combo Director
Cindy began her dance training at age five. She danced with the Oregon State University performing company, touring both in the United States and internationally. Cindy taught pre-school for several years and has developed an approach to the young dancer that is exciting, while grounded in solid child development philosophy. Cindy’s numerous choreographic credits include work with folk dancers and gymnasts. Her combination classes for young dancers are among the most popular at The Dance Center. Miss Cindy directs our Youth Tap ensemble and has won several national competition awards.


Michelle Irrgang, Acro Director
Michelle began her early ballet training in Florida. She attended Rollins College where she studied jazz and modern. Her performance experience includes time at Disney World, MGM, and Universal Studios. Michelle studied for several summers at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City with renowned jazz master Frank Hatchett. After being gone for several seasons on maternity leave to have her three beautiful daughters, TDC is thrilled to have Miss Michelle back teaching our acrobatics program.

Joel Brown
Joel started breakdancing at the age of 14 here in Colorado Springs and picked up many other sty les of new school and old school East and West Coast breakdancing, popping and locking, and “street” hip hop by the age of 19. His style is hard hitting and a refreshing addition to the hip hop genre. At the age of 17 he took the title of best breaker in a 3 county-wide competition in Washington state, just barely nudging out four of the members of a well known Seattle based dance team, “Circle of Fire”. He has also competed in battles, competitions, and performed in shows all over the west coast. Coming from a background of “street” style dance and nightclub battles, he has a good knowledge of the style that Hip Hop has evolved into today, bringing that style to The Dance Center with creativity and excellence.


Robin Buice
Robin’s dance education started in the Boston area at the age of 8. She studied tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, and acrobatics in both New York City and Boston and has appeared in the off-Broadway productions of The Wiz, West Side Story, and The King and I. Miss Robin has also been involved in Dance Olympus in both New York City and Boston. Robin is currently the director of our Guys ‘n Dolls and Petite Jazz Ensembles.


Rozanne David
Rozanne David celebrates over forty 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 strive for technical and creative excellence. Rozanne holds a Fine Arts Certificate from Creighton University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from the University of Colorado.


Toni Freehling
Antonia’s dance training began at age 4 at the Benish Dance Studio here in Colorado Springs where she studied ballet, tap and jazz through high school. Antonia “Toni” has always had a great passion and dedication for dance and at the age of 14 started assisting her teacher with all age groups. She enjoyed teaching her own classes in ballet, tap and jazz at Benish Dance Studio. Toni attended Creighton University where she studied ballet through the Royal Academy of Dance under the acclaimed Valerie Roche. She also continued her jazz, tap and modern training and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in exercise science with an emphasis in dance and the performing arts. In addition to her dance studies at Creighton, she also dedicated her time to the dance team as captain, which was involved with performing at Division I sporting events and nationally competing. Toni is committed to inspiring all dancers and is very excited to be a part of The Dance Center in her fourth season. She is looking forward to directing Petite Tap and the Youth Jazz Ensembles. She loves dance and has a fabulous time instructing all age groups.

 

 

Britney Nunes

Michelle Seeley
Michelle Seeley began her dance career in 1978 at the age of 13 when she was accepted into the School of Creative and Performing Arts in San Diego, CA. In 1982, the year before graduation, Michelle began her teaching career at a local dance studio …And All That Jazz!!! During her 13 years with the studio she evolved from assistant teacher, to lead teacher and eventually became the Jazz Director and Manager for the studio. After graduation from the S.C.P.A. in 1983, Michelle continued to perform with various dance troupes throughout Southern California while teaching at the dance studio. She has performed with the Southwestern College Dancers, Starlight Opera, and the professional ensemble she helped to create from the dance studio …And All That Jazz!!! Dance Troupe. In 1991 she graduated from San Diego State University with a B.S. in Microbiology and a minor in Fine Arts. Michelle enjoys all kinds of dancing, but has a special interest in jazz. Her award winning choreography and her upbeat, enthusiastic approach to dance has always made her classes a joy to take.

Lisa Townsend

Kathryn Utke
Kathryn received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in dance at Stephens College. At Stephens, she 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 has danced professionally and taught ballet for over 25 years. Kathryn joined our faculty in 1993; her caring and thorough teaching style is appreciated by her students.