Sill-TerHar Motors Presents Colorado Conservatory of Dance The Nutcracker 2021

A Note from the Artistic Director I performed my first production of The Nutcracker when I was just four years old as the “Bunny Under the Tree.” Since that first magical experience, this ballet has inspired my aspirations, my evolution, my career, and my sweetest dreams.

There is certainly something that feels good about the season in which this treasured holiday production is performed - togetherness with family, the spirit of giving, the jolliness, the vibrant decorations and colorful lights. But for dancers, this is nearly a half-year project, and it happens every year - in my case, every year for 40 years! It becomes part of you.

For the past 19 Decembers, it has been my great privilege to craft, coach, encourage, dazzle, and embolden our beautiful students as part of this production. I have seen so many of them grow up on this stage, from tiny Angels to dazzling Dew Drops, from little scalliwag Party Boys to the Nutcracker Prince. And each of them have conquered fears and unlocked their dreams through telling this beautiful story with their bodies.

Photo credit: Amanda Tipton

“We're back. You're back. Magic is back!”

Last year, we were able to pull off a very safe version of our production made for film. We took many of our luscious sets to our home on Industrial Lane, and our brilliant technical crew carefully and methodically made it fit into one end of our biggest studio. We socially distanced the dancers as best we could, having to rechoreograph nearly the entire ballet to do so. In almost half the time we normally have to bring the ballet to the stage, we made a beautiful little gem of a production and made quite delicious lemonade out of pandemic lemons.

I was very proud - proud of how fast we worked, how quickly the dancers assimilated the new information, how charming some of the changes ended up being, and how safe the entire cast kept each other.

And here we are.

We're back. You're back. Magic is back.

Our staff and families have done an incredible job of adapting and keeping our community of dancers safe. Many rehearsals this year had most of the dancers in person and some dancers on Zoom. It most certainly hasn't been easy to remount the ballet for a full stage production, but it has certainly been fulfilling and thrilling!

So, thank you. Thank you for being here with and for us on this momentous occasion. We hope you feel safe, and we hope the magic of the season sparkles brighter inside you because of the magic of The Nutcracker!

Happy Holidays,

Julia Wilkinson Manley CCD Artistic Director

CCD Artistic & Executive Leadership Leslie Castañuela Barnes returns to homestate Colorado as Interim Executive Director of Colorado Conservatory of Dance (CCD) to accelerate the organization’s community reach and visibility through expanded marketing and communications, grant opportunities, sponsorships, and Board development. The proud mother of Sophia, a senior at the University of Michigan, and Anna, a professional ballerina with City Ballet of San Diego, Leslie is a leader of vast expertise, business acumen, heart, and passion for dance.

As a strategic planning consultant, Leslie has advanced the business and creative missions of major arts and performing arts organizations in Los Angeles, including The Music Center and Los Angeles Ballet.

Initiatives include the analysis and execution of operations, major fundraising campaigns, marketing, event planning, community outreach, and the integration of DEI strategies. Leslie’s prior experience includes a 12-year career at Creative Artists Agency in Los Angeles, where she represented talent in the packaging and negotiation of major studio, independent film, and television productions. Leslie began her career at Morgan Stanley in New York City as an international equities analyst. Leslie is a graduate of Harvard with a B.A. in History.

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor:

Julia Wilkinson Manley, CCD Artistic Director, began her training with Cristina Munro (London Festival Ballet, Eliot Feld) in Corpus Christi, Texas. Julia attended the Boston Ballet Centre for Dance Education and the Houston Ballet Academy. At the University of Oklahoma, she earned a BFA in ballet pedagogy and danced soloist roles in Balanchine’s Serenade, Miguel Terekhov’s Four Moons, Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker as Sugar Plum Fairy, as well as numerous solo roles choreographed for her

by Mary Margaret Holt (Houston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet). She toured with Ballet Ireland under the direction of Günther Falüsy, and performed with David Taylor Dance Theatre and Ballet Nouveau Colorado. Her choreographic work has been performed by numerous companies, including Corpus Christi Ballet, David Taylor Dance Theatre and Ballet Nouveau Colorado. In 2009, Julia served on the committee to rewrite the Colorado Academic Standards for Dance for the Colorado Department of Education and completed the Community Arts Education Leadership Institute under the mentorship of John McCann in 2015.

Julia joined the faculty of the School of Ballet Nouveau Colorado in January 2002, becoming School Director in 2003. In 2013, she lead the school in becoming a new nonprofit organization, Colorado Conservatory of Dance, focused on making lives better through dance education and performance. Photograph: Misha Photography Julia Meng, CCD Controller & Rehearsal Director, was born and raised in California.

She trained under Maria Vegh (Harkness House NYC) as well as at the Joffrey Ballet and American Repertory Ballet before accepting an apprenticeship with the Colorado Ballet in 1998. Julia has also danced with David Taylor Dance Theater, Boulder Ballet, Apex Contemporary Ballet, guest artist with Oklahoma City Ballet, but spent the majority of her career at Ballet Nouveau Colorado. She has had the pleasure to work with many contemporary choreographers including Garrett Ammon, Alex Ketley, Laurie Stallings, Amy Seiwert, Sarah Tallman, and Robert Mills. Julia has also created work for Ballet Nouveau Colorado, Industrial Project, and DanceFound.

When CCD was formed in 2013, Julia laid a foundation for financial stability within the organization, also sharing her creative and insightful vision for alluring, high-quality performances for young dancers. Her expertise with color and costume design can be seen through CCD’s production of The Nutcracker as well as CCD’s annual Gala celebration.

Photograph: Lisa Conway

The CCD Staff David Barbour, Sales Manager, has been an avid mover since birth and started exploring classical dance at the age of six. His early instruction began in Colorado at the local parks and recreation program Aurora Dance Arts. As his interest grew, David became enamored with modern styles at Denver Contemporary Dance. At the age of fifteen he was accepted to the prestigious fine arts high school Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. After two years of intense study Mr. Barbour graduated with a Fine Arts Award from the director of the dance program. He then went on to train at the Joffrey /New School BFA program under the tutelage of master teachers Rebecca Wright, Trinette Singleton, Eleanor D’Antuono, and David Howard.

David has danced professionally with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Ballet Nouveau Colorado (now Wonderbound), and Onium Ballet Project. With Aspen, he had the pleasure of originating roles in ballets by such luminary choreographers as Nicolo Fonte, David Parsons, Moses Pendleton, and Jacapo Godani. David also danced in works by Septime Weber, Dominique Dumais, Trey McIntyre, Paul Taylor, and Twyla Tharp. During Mr. Barbour’s tenure with Ballet Nouveau Colorado, he danced in creations by Garret Ammon, Mark Godden, Ma Cong, and Alex Ketley. Additionally, David was part of the ensemble that helped Ballet Nouveau Colorado earn Dance Magazine’s esteemed “25 to Watch”. He also had the honor of playing the Preacher in Minou Lallemand’s Appalachian Spring for Onium Ballet Project.

Mr. Barbour has taught and choreographed throughout the US, and his choreography on various schools and companies has been joyously received nationwide. David is currently proud to be teaching at Colorado Conservatory of Dance and remotely with Queen Emma Ballet in Hawaii. Prior to his return to Colorado he was also teaching at Honolulu Classical Ballet and Punahou School. Before moving to Hawaii he was the Associate Artistic Director of Colorado Conservatory of Dance. David has found great joy in teaching dancers how to express themselves through movement, and learning how to be better dancers and people.

Chris Harris, Project Manager, has been choreographing and dancing in Denver for over three decades. She is a choreographer, artistic director, visual artist, dancer, and teacher with interests in math, science, data visualization, and has a fascination with how we understand arts, dance and the psychology of performance. Chris holds a BFA in Dance and Choreography from the University of Colorado, Boulder and an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College.

She has taught at many studios; choreographed for local theaters and dance companies; been a guest lecturer at The Arts Institute of Colorado and CSU; been adjunct faculty at and choreographed for the University of Denver and the University of Colorado. Previously she was artist in residence for the Denver School of the Arts for 17 years, Co-director of the Boulder Jazz Dance Workshop, and Artistic Director/Choreographer for Louder Than Words Dancetheater & the Colorado Youth Dance Theater in Denver.

Kerry Healy, Administrator and Social Media, began her training at CCD when she was 4 years old. Following her graduation from CCD in 2015, Kerry attended Dominican University of California in the Bay Area, where she was a part of the Alonzo King LINES Ballet BFA Program under Alonzo King and Marina Hotchkiss.

She earned a BFA in Dance, graduating Magna Cum Laude with Honors in May 2019. While in San Francisco, Kerry worked with artists such as Gregory Dawson, Maurya Kerr, Christian Burns, Alice Klock, Alex Ketley, and Sidra Bell. Kerry’s choreography was performed at the LINES BFA Senior Project Performance and at CCD’s Summer Moving Project 2019. She attended summer intensives at San Francisco Conservatory of Dance and Henny Jurriëns Dance Center in Amsterdam, where she learned Ohad Naharin, Jirí Kylián, and Hofesh Shechter repertoire.

After teaching over school breaks for the last few years, Kerry is happy to return home to CCD this year to be a part of the faculty! Photograph: Amanda Tipton

Jennifer Howard, Director of Summer Programs, began her training at Boston Ballet, completed her Royal Academy of Dance exams under the direction of Mimi Ferrell and received her BFA from The Juilliard School.

Jennifer spent her extensive professional dance career between New York City and Europe, touring and performing as a member of Mikhail Baryshnikov’s White Oak Dance Project, Twyla Tharp Dance, Eliot Feld Ballet, Liz Gerring Dance, and Unterwegs TanzTheater, and as a freelance artist with acclaimed choreographers Lucinda Childs, Douglas Dunn, Lar Lubovitch, and Sarah Michelson.

Jennifer has been a guest teacher for NextGeneration Ballet, Burklyn Ballet Theater, Dartmouth College, Wesleyan University and taught for Jacques D’Amboise’s National Dance Institute in New York City.

Most recently, before joining the Colorado Conservatory of Dance faculty, Jennifer was the Artistic Director of the St. Paul’s School Ballet Company in Concord, NH. Photograph: Amanda Tipton A lifelong dancer herself, Nicole Kramer, CCD's Venue & Production Manager, began her journey with Colorado Conservatory of Dance as a lighting designer for the Nutcracker in 2017 and joined CCD’s team in the fall of 2021. It was through her love of dance she discovered lighting design and she is grateful to have found a home where she is around both everyday. Nicole serves as the Production and Venue Manager for CCD and for the Performing Arts Complex at Pinnacle Charter School through their partnership and is thrilled to serve both communities. She is currently building a technical theater internship open to both communities in addition to her work managing the PAC, and CCD’s productions.

Nicole has been a digital media designer, a lighting designer, and a technician in Colorado’s theater scene since 2010 working with The Lincoln Center, The Performing Arts Complex at Pinnacle, The King Center, Midtown Arts Center, Darth Fader Lighting, and Le Buone Azioni Productions. She has been designing lighting exclusively for dance, opera, and musicals since 2015 with her design credits including the regional premier of ONCE, Always Patsy Cline, My Fair Lady, My Way, Sway 2017-2019, The Roy Orbison Experience, Naughty Carnivale, and several MSU opera shows. In addition she has designed various showcases, and recitals for dance companies in Denver and Fort Collins.

Outside of her work in the theater she has been a professional event and portrait photographer since 2013 under the handle Sea Dust Photography and has been working in venue management since 2017 as an Event Specialist for the King Center in Denver and the Event Services Coordinator for the Larimer Campus of Front Range Community College. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Technical Theater and a Masters of Communications and Media Management, both from Colorado State University.

Rachel Long, CCD Communications Coordinator, has been involved with CCD since 2004 – first, as a parent and volunteer, then as a staff member since the fall of 2014. Rachel has had the pleasure of volunteering as a member of the Fundraising Committee, Volunteer Committee, and leading numerous fundraisers and events such as Nutcracker Tea and Blossom Ball. Rachel and her husband, Billy, have two children who have passed through each level of CCD and danced as Studio Company members for many years. Rachel graduated with a degree in Graphic Design and currently brings her many years of volunteer work and knowledge of design with her to communicate CCD’s great work in the community and its fabulous school to our CCD families and the broader community. Photograph: Misha Photography

Marnie Ina Rundiks, CCD Conservatory Docent, a Denver Native admits that the arts, theater and especially ballet has moved her soul since childhood. Marnie has been involved with CCD since 2007 as a ballet mom, volunteer and now staff member. Not following a traditional path she has a BA in Classics from CU Boulder, managed a large catering company in Dallas, Texas, worked as both Food Service and Assistant Store Manager for Alfalfa’s / Wild Oats, as well as served as Director of English Robin Inc. an online language school. She is the proud mother of Inara and Bergen Wheeler, who are currently attending Canada’s National Ballet School in Toronto. As an off-the-charts ENFP, Marnie has a high social and emotional IQ, which she dedicates to the CCD dancers, families and community at large.

Beyond that, she is the face of the ballet either behind the front desk, on the phone, or at events to assist, guide or help with a smile, empathy, humor and enthusiasm. Marnie believes that ballet can enhance lives and is devoted to the cause, envisioning CCD as an international ballet destination and training school.

Photograph: Amanda Tipton

The CCD Staff, cont.

Shizuka Sue Sakai, Costume Supervisor, has had the pleasure of helping Colorado Conservatory of Dance with costumes since 2006. She became the Studio Company’s Costume Supervisor in 2011. Since then, she has taken part in the costuming process for several Studio Company and student productions, including The Nutcracker; Summer Moving Project (2014 – 2017); Madeline Stands Tall and Hall of the Mountain King by Camcie Foster; Tale of a Wounded Apple by Maree ReMalia; It All Starts Somewhere by Sarah Jannsen; Ballet Blanc, Secret Garden, and The Boxcar Children by Julia Wilkinson Manley; and Bartok Dances by Mark Foehringer. She is the proud mother of Angela “Momo” and Nicholas Sakai. Photograph: Misha Photography

Sean Watson, Conservatory Manager, began his dance training at 17 years old in Mukilteo, Washington. After 2 years of training, he attended Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle on scholarship, where he graduated cum laude with a BFA in Dance. Throughout his time at Cornish, Sean was also taking multiple classes at Westlake Dance Center, private lessons, as well as attending summer intensive programs at American Ballet Theater, Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet, Ballet Austin, and Milwaukee Ballet. Upon graduation, Sean joined Milwaukee Ballet II where he performed with the main company in works by Michael Pink, Auguste Bournonville, Mark Godden, Kathy Posin, LeeWei Chau, and Petr Zahradnicek, as well as was featured in the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Degas Exhibit and It’s Artistic! Exhibit. Sean moved to Colorado to join Ballet Nouveau Colorado (now Wonderbound), where he was a featured dancer in original works by Garrett Ammon, Alex Ketley, Laurie Stallings, Mark Godden, Ma Cong, Sarah Tallman, David Barbour, Julia Meng, Julia Wilkinson Manley, and Jennifer Hart. He then danced for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines as the Dance Captain for the Azamara Quest, where he travelled extensively throughout the Mediterranean.

Sean has been teaching ballet throughout his performing career and beyond. He has been an instructor at CCD and Premiere School of Dance for nearly 8 years before moving to Hawaii and teaching ballet as a lecturer at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. He is also certified in the Progressing Ballet Technique method, and is a licensed massage therapist with his own practice working with dancers and people of all ages.

Sean is very happy to be back in Colorado as the Conservatory Manager and to teach for his CCD ‘ohana.

Photograph: Misha Photography.

Thank you to our Concessions Sponsors:

Photo credit: Amanda Tipton

Synopsis: The Nutcracker More than a century after The Nutcracker was first staged in St. Petersburg, Russia, the charm and appealing character of this classic ballet still endure. Although the original production in 1892 was poorly received and ran only 14 performances, it has recovered to become one of the most popular and highly attended ballets in the United States. Its popularity is due to many factors, the most influential being its holiday theme. The ballet isbased on E.T.A. Hoffman’s story, “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” written in 1816. The story deals with a young lady’s transition from childhood into adolescence. It is a story of dreams, fantasy and adventure. For children and adults, it is magic and wonder that come to life and bring us back to the timeless classic.

Act I It is Christmas Eve in a small, snow-covered German village. The Stahlbaum family is having a grand holiday party. Young Clara Stahlbaum and her brother Fritz are very excited about the festivities and have a wonderful time dancing and playing with friends. Herr Drosselmeyer, godfather to Clara and Fritz, arrives at the party with his nephew. He brings wonderful gifts for everyone, including magical life-size dolls that dance and amaze all of the guests.

Drosselmeyer saves the best surprise for last – a beautiful Nutcracker that he presents to Clara. Clara is enthralled by her gift and dances with the wooden toy.

Jealous, Fritz takes the Nutcracker and stumbles, breaking him.

Later that night, after all the guests have gone home and the Stahlbaum family has gone to bed, Clara sneaks back downstairs to check on her Nutcracker and finds him under the tree. In the dark, there are noises everywhere. Frightened, Clara holds her

Nutcracker close. Suddenly, giant mice fill the room, and Clara is chased about.

The living room is magically transformed into a battleground between giant mice and toy soldiers. Clara finds that her toy Nutcracker has come to life and is fighting to save her from the evil Rat King. As the battle between mice and soldiers rages, Clara sees that the Rat King is winning.

Bravely, Clara runs in and pulls his tail. This distracts the Rat King, and the Nutcracker then heralds the final blow. Drosselmeyer enters and turns the Nutcracker into a handsome young prince. Clara falls instantly in love as she realizes the prince is actually Drosselmeyer’s nephew from the party. They travel through a winter wonderland, where they are greeted by the Snow Queen and King and beautiful, swirling snowflakes. Clara and her prince then continue on a magical journey beyond her wildest dreams.

Act II They arrive next in the Kingdom of Sweets where angels have blessed the path before them. The Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier greet the young couple and introduce them to delicacies from many countries. Clara and the prince tell the story of their battle with the Rat King. In celebration, all the delicacies dance as entertainment for Clara and her prince.

The exquisite Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier dance last and capture Clara’s heart with their elegance. They all dance one last grand finale until at last it is time for the prince to return Clara to her home.

Clara awakens to find herself back in her own home with her beloved Nutcracker.

Gently, she rocks him in her arms and remembers her dream with joy.

Photo credit: Amanda Tipton

Our Cast Choreography Julia Wilkinson Manley and Julia Meng after Marius Petipa Music Pyotr Illych Tchaikovsky Rehearsal Directors Kerry Healy, Julia Wilkinson Manley, Julia Meng Production and Venue Manager Nicole Kramer Technical Director, The Nutcracker Ben Smith Lighting Designer/Board Operator Nicole Kramer Costume Designers Julia Meng and Kevin Wolfgang Costume Supervisor Sue Sakai Cast Managers Chris Harris, Kirstian Warkins Deck Manager/Stage Left Ben Smith Assistant Deck Manager/Stage Right Anastasia Nagle Spotlight Operator Joe Hoover Pinnacle Charter School Electricians Grey Conderman, MacKenzie Lowe Technical Support Scott and Barb Newcomb Costume Construction Support Valeri Baye Linda Buss Frances Montoya Nancy Wolfgang And special thanks to our parent costume volunteers Pinnacle Charter School Technical Internship Students Bonnie Tran, Dominiqua Quesala, Itzel Gutierrez, Long Tran, Vanessa Rodriguez

Clara Stahlbaum Gabriella Mbagoyi* Olivia Mousseau** Taylor Portillo† Fritz Stahlbaum August Rosenbarger Frau Stahlbaum Leilani Montoya* Madeline Nguyen** Herr Stahlbaum Conner Horak Herr Drosselmeyer Andy Sievers Drosselmeyer’s Nephew Simon Nguyen

Governess Rory Stuber Grandmother Austin Price Grandfather Leilani Montoya** Madeline Nguyen* Party Parents Andrew Adams, Bridget Church, Lily Downs, Malcolm Hayes, Emily Taft Party Boys Grace Arland, Vilate Carwin, Presleigh Goodwin, Mary Hickerson, Claire Meushaw, Isabella Peterson, Lily Stavast, Sarah Wilson Party Girls Natalie Field, Harper Jeffries, Ella Krug, Naomi Meng, Sofia Pelletier, Anna Schmalzigan, Livia Scholtes Harlequin Doll Grant Peddycord Columbine Doll Blythe Truhe Soldier Doll Denon Davey

Nutcracker Prince Simon Nguyen Rat King Austin Price Mice Brianna Baye, Ella Krug, Duniya Mbagoyi, Lauren Rodriguez, August Rosenbarger, Charlie Trojanowski, Sophie Trojanowski, Sarah Wilson Soldiers Grace Arland, Vilate Carwin, Presleigh Goodwin, Mary Hickerson, Gabriella Mbagoyi**, Alexa McKinley, Naomi Meng, Leilani Montoya**, Claire Meushaw, Madeline Nguyen*, Livia Scholtes, Natalie Sievers†, Lily Stavast, Isabella Peterson

Baby Mouse Adeline Meushaw Snow Queen Leilani Montoya* Madeline Nguyen** Snow King Conner Horak Snowflakes Andrew Adams, Brianna Baye, Vilate Carwin†, Bridget Church, Denon Davey, Lily Downs, Presleigh Goodwin†, Malcolm Hayes, Mary Hickerson, Stella Langner, Franziska Nagle, Faith Peddycord†, Nicole Peterson, Leah Petro, Taylor Portillo*, Lauren Rodriguez, Amelia Scott, Charlie Trojanowski, Spohie Trojanowski, Abbey Sterling, Rory Stuber, Emily Taft, Blythe Truhe Lead Angels Harper Jeffries, Ella Krug, Alexa McKinley, Hope Peddycord Little Angels Claire Clark, Yifan Li, Tara Meaders, Naomi Meng, Adeline Meushaw Spanish Chocolate Bridget Church, Leilani Montoya**, Madeline Nguyen* Amelia Scott**, Abbey Sterling*, Blythe Truhe Arabian Coffee Lily Downs** Austin Price*

Chinese Tea Denon Davey**, Alexa McKinley*, Livia Scholtes**, Charlie Trojanowski* Chinese Corps de Ballet Denon Davey*, Duniya Mbagoyi, Hope Peddycord, Lily Stavast, Charlie Trojanowski** French Mirliton Malcolm Hayes, Natalie Sievers, Emily Taft Their Sheep Grace Arland, Gabriella Mbagoyi**, Fransizka Nagle, Faith Peddycord, Grant Peddycord, Leah Petro, Sarah Wilson Russian Trépak Andrew Adams and Nicole Peterson Russian Dolls Denon Davey, Claire Meushaw, Isabella Peterson, Charlie Trojanowski Mother Ginger Lily Downs* Austin Price** Her Bon Bons Natalie Field, Harper Jeffries, Ella Krug, Duniya Mbagoyi, Naomi Meng, Sofia Pelletier, August Rosenbarger, Anna Schmalzigan, Lily Stavast Dew Drop Amelia Scott* Abbey Sterling** Waltz of the Flowers Andrew Adams, Brianna Baye, Vilate Carwin, Bridget Church, Lily Downs**, Presleigh Goodwin, Malcolm Hayes, Mary Hickerson, Stella Langner, Faith Peddycord, Taylor Portillo*, Lauren Rodriguez, Natalie Sievers, Rory Stuber, Sophie Trojanowski Sugar Plum Fairy Beckanne Sisk (12/10-12/12) Sharon Wehner (12/17-12/19) Cavalier Gavin Hounslow (12/17-12/19) Chase O’Connell (12/10-12/12) * 12/11 1pm, 12/12 1pm, 12/17 6:30pm, 12/18 6:30pm ** 12/10 6:30pm, 12/11 6:30pm, 12/18 1pm, 12/19 1pm † Alternate

Artist Profiles Gavin Hounslow grew up and received his early training in Oklahoma City. In 2016, he began training at the Washington Ballet with Xiomara Reyes, Ranat Amaev, Kristina Windom, and Vladimir Djouloukhaze.

There he performed in Septime Weber’s Nutcracker as The Prince and as a soloist in Mimmo Miccolis’s 49 and COPE. In 2018, Gavin began training with the Houston Ballet Academy with Claudio Munoz, Susan Bryant and Sally Rojas. There he performed in such pieces as Stanton Welch’s Gentlemen, Bruiser, and Blue with Houston Ballet II. Gavin joined Boulder Ballet in 2021.

Conner Horak was born in Fort Collins, Colorado where he was introduced to dance through a synthesis of musical theater and martial arts training. He continued dancing at Butler University, where he graduated cum laude with a BFA in Dance Performance with departmental honors. Conner has had the privilege of performing in Paul Taylor’s Le Sacre Du Printemps (The Rehearsal), Gorgio Arpino’s Viva Vivaldi, and George Balanchine’s Slaughter on Tenth Avenue.

Conner danced with Wonderbound for three years in Denver, Colorado, where he performed with the Flobots at Colorado’s Vail Dance Festival.

Conner also danced with David Taylor’s Zikr Dance Ensemble, Boulder Ballet, and James Sewell Ballet, where he worked with James Sewell, Darius Strong, and Gabrielle Lamb. Currently, he is a company dancer and assistant choreographer to Reformations Dance Company in Denver.

Chase O’Connell was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He started his professional training at 13 at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington D.C. He then went to the Royal Ballet School in London for 2 years on scholarship. After Royal he was offered a temporary contract with the Paris Opera Ballet Company. He then joined Ballet West II in 2012 and was promoted to Principal in 2015. He has performed Principal roles in John Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet and Onegin; Adam Sklute’s adaptations of Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty; George Balanchine’s Symphony in C (Second Movement) and Diamonds; Jerome Robbins’ Fancy Free; Jiří Kylián’s Petit Mort, Overgrown Path and Forgotten Land. He has had Principal roles created on him by Nicolo Fonte, Edward Liang, Val Caniparoli and Africa Guzman. He performed in Galas by Youth American Grand Prix and Gala de Danza.

Chase O’Connell appears courtesy of Ballet West, Adam Sklute, Artistic Director.

Beckanne Sisk began her ballet training with Longview Ballet Theater.

She studied there until age thirteen when she moved to Philadelphia, PA to attend The Rock School for Dance Education. She was a part of the Rock’s RAPA program for four years. While there, Miss Sisk won the Jerome Robbins award in 2007, and competed at the Youth America Grand Prix from 2007-2010. Adam Sklute invited her to join Ballet West II in 2010. She rapidly moved up in the ranks, being promoted to New Artist in 2011, Demi-Soloist in 2012, Soloist in 2013, and finally Principal Artist in 2015. She has performed the female principal roles in Anna Marie Holmes’ Don Quixote, John Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet and Onegin, as well as Adam Sklute’s adaptations of Giselle, The Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake. Original principal roles have been created on her by many renowned contemporary choreographers such as Nicolo Fonte, Val Caniparoli, Edward Liang, and Matthew Neenan. She has since become an international guest star as well as being a Principal Artist with Ballet West. Miss Sisk was invited to perform for Youth America Grand Prix’s gala performances in 2015, 2016, and 2018. In addition to her dancing, Miss Sisk was featured on CW’s Breaking Pointe television show for two season. She also wont the Bronze Medal in the Beijing International Ballet Competition in June 2012, and she was chosen for the 2012 Princess Grace Dance Fellowship award.

Beckanne Sisk appears courtesy of Ballet West, Adam Sklute, Artistic Director.

Sharon Wehner is originally from San Jose, California, and had her fundamental ballet training with San Jose Dance Theatre, Dance Theatre Seven, and San Francisco Ballet. A former Principal Dancer with the Colorado Ballet, Sharon has also danced with Amy Seiwart’s Imagery, the Oakland Ballet, the Washington Ballet, Zikr Dance Ensemble, Engage Movement Arts, Briah Danse, and Fuku Dance. She has performed as a guest artist in the Tokyo Aoyama Ballet Festival, the National Ballet of Japan’s Golden Ballet Co-Star, and the Vail International Dance Festival’s “International Evening of Dance.”

As a Principal Dancer, Sharon performed numerous leading roles in classical and neo-classical ballets, including the principal roles in Swan Lake, Giselle, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, Coppelia, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Rodeo, The Leaves are Fading, Dracula, Rubies,Theme and Variations, and Stars and Stripes. She has had the honor to be featured in new works by Christopher Wheeldon, Val Caniparoli, Amy Seiwart, Edward Liaang, Jessica Lang, Dwight Rhodan, and Graham Lustig.

After retiring from her 22-year career with the Colorado Ballet, Sharon is spreading her wings as a freelance artist, exploring new territory in classical and contemporary choreography that speaks to her and to audiences in a fresh and meaningful way. More recently, she has performed with Briah Danse in “Legends and Legacies”, Engage Movement Arts in “Shoes,” Alya Howe in “Walls, and FukuDance in the Lila Dance Festival.

In addition to her career as a dancer, Sharon is a Ballet teacher, certified GYROKINESIS® and GYROTONIC® trainer, Yoga instructor, Reiki Master and Dance for Parkinson’s Disease teacher. She loves guiding others to find strength, resilience and beauty through dance and movement. In 2020, she created RISE: the Empowered Dancer Mentoring Program, a holistic coaching program for Teen & Pre-professional Dancers.

The CCD Staff, Faculty, & Board STAFF

BOARD

ADVISORY COUNCIL

LESLIE CASTAÑUELA BARNES Executive Director

CINDY WARD Chair

JULIA WILKINSON MANLEY Artistic Director

DAVID MANLEY Vice Chair

FIONA CHATWIN Executive & Artistic Director, Villa Musica, San Diego

DAVID BARBOUR Sales Manager

LAUREN HAFLA Secretary

CHRIS HARRIS Project Manager

KELLI BENTZINGER Treasurer

KERRY HEALY Administrator & Social Media

ANGELA LANDRUM Member

JENNIFER HOWARD Director of Summer Programs

KRISTEN MANNING Member

NICOLE KRAMER Venue & Production Manager

TIM SCHAFER Member

RACHEL LONG Communications Coordinator JULIA MENG Controller & Rehearsal Director

JAN RODRIGUEZ Co-Chair SHANNON SCHOLTES Co-Chair

SEAN WATSON Conservatory Manager

JEDI COMMITTEE

AUSTIN PRICE Administrative Assistant

JEFF MELANSON Principal, Creative Change Management

BARRE ASSOCIATION

MARNIE RUNDIKS Conservatory Docent

SUE SAKAI Costume Supervisor

JOHN MCCANN Founder & President, Partners in Performance; Co-Founder & Associate, EmcArts

MICHAEL HINTON Co-Chair MORGAN SICKLICK Co-Chair

FACULTY Julia Wilkinson Manley Julia Meng Jennifer Howard - with David Barbour Michelle Bernier Carly Hambridge Chris Harris

Kerry Healy Page Jenkins Karin Johnson Leilani Montoya, Apprentice Roberto Muñoz Elizabeth Nesbitt Austin Price, Apprentice Jamie Schuler

Karen Shanley Morgan Sicklick Heather Sutton Rebeca Ramirez Vargas Dominic Walsh Laura Whitby

ABOUT CCD We believe in a better life through dance.

Inside the doors of this longstanding, flagship cultural organization is a deeply caring and nurturing community of exceptional and knowledgeable dance teachers, learned body scientists and therapists, and a diverse collection of students – all committed to a process of learning and teaching ballet that is healthy for both the body and the mind.

Our Mission At Colorado Conservatory of Dance, we unleash individual potential and invigorate community through dance.

Our Vision The Colorado Conservatory of Dance will be a responsible and stable, national model of excellence in dance education, health and wellness, and non-profit management.

Our Values With direction, purpose, and intent, the Colorado Conservatory of Dance creates a healthy and generous environment where students, parents and community members are nurtured and encouraged to develop their most creative and fulfilled selves. We responsibly pursue our mission with high standards and high expectations. We value mentorship and partnership, and we believe that dance should be available and accessible to all.

Colorado Conservatory of Dance, an anti-racist organization, supports BBIPOC, AAPI, LGBTQIA+, differently-abled, and neurodiverse peoples, as well as those who have been historically marginalized, oppressed, or underrepresented in our society. We believe in respect for all perspectives, the value of creativity, the power of art, and treating other humans with dignity and kindness. We will not be silent. We will use our platform to end discrimination in the arts.

CCD serves nearly 20,000 individuals each year through its comprehensive performance and education programming, including in-school programs in Adams, Boulder, Broomfield and Jefferson Counties. CCD is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. EIN: 46-2961115 COMMUNITY PARTNERS Birch Elementary School BodyWhys Broomfield Auditorium Broomfield Library Denver Young Artists Orchestra

Hunters Glen Elementary School Pinnacle Charter School The Dance Archive Wilmore-Davis Elementary School YouthSeen

CCD is currently booking performances of our acclaimed anti-bullying program in area elementary schools. If your school is interested in this program, please email info@ccdance.org!

To learn more about our Anti-Bullying Ballet: Holistic Wellness Program, visit: ccdance.org/performances-in-your-school/

Our Supporters Colorado Conservatory of Dance gratefully acknowledges the support of the following individuals, foundations, and grantors.

Benefactor $100,000+ Scientific and Cultural Facilities District Presenting Sponsor $10,000 - $24,999 Sill-TerHar Motors

Elva Pellouchoud Michael Ritchie Sally Sandusky Steven Scott Jennifer Sterling Heather Sutton Nicki Truhe

Ambassador $1,000 - $2,499 Adrienne Adams Broomfield Community Foundation Steve Corneillier Goldman Sachs Melissa & Scott Lester Julia & Andrew Meng Elaine & Allen Nakagawa Hmong & Tuan Nguyen Nicole & Jason Rosener Elizabeth Thebert Cindy Ward & Greg Evans Julia Wilkinson Manley & Jesse Manley Source Communications

Friend $250 - $499 Anonymous Valeri Baye Lisa & Marty Beauchamp Brightfunds Hella & Ken Budde CAF Cybergrants Nicole Dominic Empire Lakewood Nissan Edmund Endler Na Fan Angela Giamei Erica Goodwin Tawanda Hayes Cathy & Terry Healy Nury & Jerry Jaramillo Lynnice & Steven Jeffers Linda Johnson & Raymond Meng Marissa Kajiwara McKim Kristil Krug Rachel & Billy Long Laura Meushaw Sara Paredes & L. Alberto Campos Ruthanne & Richard Peterson Heather Richards Irene Roberts Janice Rodriguez Jeanne Roedel Judy & Thomas Judy Stuber Jill Walker & Bruce Nudell

Collaborator $500 - $999 Linda Buss Comcast Nina Endler Kristin Field-Macumber Ann & Jim Foil Camcie Foster Michelle Hickerson Shannon Jeffries Janifer Kulmann David Manley Jr. Paula Masciulli Kay & Brad McKim Finley D. McRae III Elizabeth Peddycord

Ally $100 - $249 Gladys & James Adams Anonymous (4) Victoria Aguilar Carol & Bill Arland Chris Baye Candice Becket Adam Belt Kelli Luebke Bentzinger Allison Bird Victoria Bonar LaToya & Chad Braun Jacqueline & Thomas Budde Dana Carwin Lee-Wei Chao

Innovator $5,000 - $9,999 Penny & Jack TerHar Champion $2,500 - $4,999 Marisa Aguire & Andrew Peterson City and County of Broomfield PNC Bank Diane Scott Karen Shanley Mary Anne Wilkinson & Bill Samelson

Ophelia Chu Melanie & Marcus Church Bradford Church Mihail Codrescu ColoradoGives Community First Foundation Martha Connell Cecilia Davey Chantal Davidchuk Zofia & Erik Debski Andrew Ditges Mary Donahue Paddy Douglas Patricia E. Doyle David Edinger Michelle & Mark Edlin Danielle Eliser Kathy Feil Linda & Robert Fogg Jason Foil Adam Frazier Emy Friedman Monica and Dan Gilliam Gail Goodman Gabriel Grant Linda Grimsrud Lars G. Grimsrud Kaia, Kate & Lars Grimsrud Emily Gudenkauf Erica Hageman John Hamill Shari Hardies Robert Hensinger Paul Herzog Sophia Hinojosa Michael Hinton Mark Holdbrooks Holistica Integrative Care Inc. Jennifer Howard Janelle Howard Peggy & Joe Howard Amelie Hunter Carolyn Jannsen Nana & Pa Jeffries David Kadel Sarah & Andy Kasper Kelly Kubin Jeffrey Langner Angela Laughlin Stephanie Lewin Aaron Malone Leslie Manning Elizabeth Maples Holly & Jen Masket-Valenta Teresa Mayer Elizabeth McCoy JJ & Dan McCoy Mary McKinley

James McNamee Jennifer Meng Carolyn & Martin Meng Robert Meushaw Pat & Russ Middaugh Melissa Mullin Roberto Muñoz Diana Murray Adrian Nagle Amy Nicolaus Christine Odle Lanette Olinske David Orr Roxy Pedrza Dan Peeples Michael Pellouchoud PASCO, Jason Schlosky Austin Price Jennifer Price Barbara & Jacob Puzio Alan Richards Mara-Lea Rosenbarger The Rundersons Frank Salwerowicz Pat Salwerowicz Nathan Sauer L.L. Scarfe Darcey Schumacher Joe Smith Amy Stewart Charles Sullivan Faith Sullivan Betty Lou Summers Kimberly McKinley Taylor Vicki & Greg Thaler Michael Tymkiw Dmitry Vilner Kelley Ward Kirstian & Brad Warkins Inara Wheeler Karen Whitman Julianna Zastrocky IN-KIND DONATIONS BARRE Association Boulder Body Wear Catchafire Community First Foundation Fuzziwigs Breckenridge Kim and Jake’s Cakes Julia & Andrew Meng Nothing Bundt Cakes Tim Schafer Schafer, Thomas, Maez. P.C Karen Shanley Squareone Remodel LLC Kirstian Warkins Sean Watson The Great Outdoors RV

These generous donations were received between December 1, 2020-December 13, 2021. Thank you to those whose donations were received after our print deadline. If you would like to make a gift, please visit ccdance.org/donate.

Photo credit: Amanda Tipton

CCD Wellness Team CCD believes in educating dancers about how to take care of their instruments. To make body work accessible and naturalistic for our artists, we work with local experts in Physical Therapy, Massage, Chiropractic, Fascial Distortion Method, and Hypnosis to provide onsite care. Through these partnerships, our dancers learn to communicate effectively with our faculty and develop a life-long practice of proper self care.

zandichiro.com (303) 499-0225 | (303) 653-3490

Thanks to our Sponsors

Rangeview Tech Center

AMANDA TIPTON PHOTOGRAPHY

Come in for a free trial class and make that dream come true.

Just off Highway 36 in Broomfield 3001 Industrial Lane, #12 | Broomfield, CO 80020 | 303.466.5685 | ccdance.org

Photo by Misha Photography

Do you have visions of sugar plums dancing in your head?

Cinderella and the Evil Stepmother A World Premiere by Dominic Walsh

Step into an enchanting, heart-warming retelling of the classic tale. Through courage, kindness and tenacity, this modern-day Cinderella triumphs in the face of adversity.

May 14 & 15 1pm and 6:30pm Performing Arts Complex at PCS Sensory-Friendly Performance May 13

ccdance.org/cinderella