Danza Staff
Danza Dance Academy boasts an outstanding faculty of staff who
work to fulfill the potential of every student. The dance teachers
bring their expertise and passion for dance, consolidated by successful
performing and teaching careers. Click on the names below to read
a short biography of each staff member.
Denise Danzo
Director/Owner/Instructor
Denise received most of her dance training in Steamboat Springs,
CO. She spent many intensive summers training at the famous Perry
Mansfield School of the Arts, located in Steamboat. She is a previous
company member of Ballet North West.
She has 15 years of dance teaching experience, and has spent
the last 10 years teaching dance in one of Denver’s most
prestigious dance schools. She has an Associate of Arts Degree
specializing in business and art.
Denise has been the Director and Choreographer for the Denver
Nuggets Professional Dance Team. She has performed in and choreographed
for two Ford Truck commercials, one Ford Car commercial, and a
dance video “Reality” for Cabana Boy Records.
She has spent the last couple of years working with many cheerleading
and pom squads in the Denver Metro area choreographing state routines,
and musical theater for high school productions. She specializes
in children’s dance and is excited to bring the highest
quality of dance to the Castle Rock community.
Email Denise
Laura Hinton
Instructor
Laura began her dancing career at the age of six. At the age
of eleven she went to dance for The Colorado Ballet where she
performed in their annual production of the Nutcracker. Throughout
high school, she danced on Senior Company at Michelle Latimer
Dance Academy where she worked with famous choreographers such
as Dee Caspary, Terry Beeman, Ray Leeper, and Tina Caspary-Cyphert.
Laura was the lead roll of Wendy in "Peter Pan" spring
of 2003 for Michelle Latimer Dance Academy. Laura has attended
many dance conventions including New York Dance Alliance, L.A.
Underground, and West Coast Dance Explosion. In 2004 Laura's jazz
and lyrical choreography was award winning with platinum and gold
first places at many dance competitions, including Dance Rave
and StarPower where her pieces received first, third, and tenth
over all top scores. She is very proud to be a part of the excellent
teaching staff at Danza Dance Academy.
Email Laura
Terrell Davis
Instructor
Terrell Davis was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He has
a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in dance from Western
Illinois University (WIU). His dance training began at Lincoln
Park High school in Chicago with Cheryl McWortor. He was a full
scholarship student at the Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theatre.
At JHCDT he trained with Rodni Williams who introduced him to
the Horton Technique. Mr. Davis was also a full scholarship student
at the American Dance Festival, for two consecutive summers. At
WIU he trained with Candice Winters-March, Heidi Clemmons, and
Denise Breakfield. He also co-directed the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural
Center Dance Troupe with Keesha Jackson and was a member of the
University Dance Theatre.
He got his professional start with the Dayton Contemporary Dance
Company where he was mentored by Terrence Greene, and worked with
the legendary artist Sherri "Sparkle" Williams. His
journey then brought him to Denver, where he danced with the Cleo
Parker-Robinson Dance Ensemble for six years. He was a principle
dancer and also served as Assistant Rehearsal Director for the
company. While at CPRD he danced many lead roles and also worked
and trained with many great teachers and choreographers such as
Milton Myers, Donald Mckayle, Christopher Huggins, Marceline Freeman,
and Randy Brooks, just to name a few. He also danced with Moraporvida
Contemporary Dance Company, founded and directed by Jacob Mora.
Mr. Davis’s teaching experience in Denver has been at the
Cleo Parker-Robinson Dance School, the Academy of Classical Ballet,
and many other dance schools in Denver. He currently teaches at
the Academy of Colorado Ballet, Dance Kaleidoscope, Hannah Kahn’s
Open Studio, and at Manuel High School. He is thrilled to be a
part of the Danza Dance Academy staff.
Email Terrell
Amber Shipps
Instructor
Amber is honored to join the talented teaching staff at Danza
Dance Academy. Through middle school and high school she
was a member of the Competitive Dance Team at Michelle Latimer
Dance Academy, and was a scholarship student there during High
School. Amber has completed several Master’s Classes
at many prestigious studios including Debbie Allen Dance Academy
and Edge Performing Arts Center. She has studied under a
diverse range of instructors including Mia Michaels, Dee Casbery,
Terry Beeman, and Wes Veldink.
Email Amber
Autumn Hillner
Instructor
Autumn grew up in southern California and began dance training at the age of three.
She trained for seven years in Simi Valley, where she was also a competitive ice skater,
winning many 1st place trophies for her technique, creativity & performing abilities.
After moving to Arizona, she continued her ballet and Pointe training at Jeannes School
of Dance for four more years. There, she danced with Ballet Etudes, a pre-professional dance
company, and performed in The Nutcracker, Cinderella, and Toy Shop as well as community
outreach programs.
When her family moved to Colorado, she joined Belliston Academy of Ballet,
training for a year, then moved to Danza Dance Academy as a Senior dancer. Autumn’s
apprenticeship at Danza, studying under Denise, has provided her with a practical yet
dynamic knowledge & crucial hands-on experience in the art of teaching the youngest dancers
as well as teaching classical ballet technique to the middle-aged child.
Autumn is looking forward to many years of teaching & training young dancers.
Christina Martin
Instructor
Christina took her first dance lessons at age 3, and wanted to be a ballerina ever since.
Born in Stuart, FL,she began her serious training at Florida Arts & Dance Co. in areas of ballet and jazz.
She studied primarily with Tatiana Djouloukhadze-Kopp under the Vagonova Method of Ballet.
Upon graduating from high school in 2002,she was accepted to North Carolina School of the Arts,
with teachers including Melissa Hayden (one of Balanchine's original dancers) and Fanchon Cordell.
In 2005, Christina received a scholarship to Orlando Ballet's summer program where she was chosen
by former Artistic Director Fernando Bujones to be a trainee in the school. While in the school,
she enjoyed roles including the Wicked Queen in Peter Stark's Snow White, and a Vivaldi pas de deux
(personally set to her by Chris Fleming), presented both at the Gaylord Palms Resort's annual Grande
Masque New Year's Gala and for Orlando Ballet School's 30th Anniversary in 2005.
After 2 years of training,
she was then offered a contract with the company with new Artistic Director, Bruce Marks.
There she performed many ballets including La Fille mal Gardee, Raymonda, Nutcracker, full-length
Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty, Lila York's Celts, Fernando's Spartacus, and Twyla Tharp's Waterbaby
Baguetelles, Nine Sinatra Songs, and In the Upper Room to name a few.
Christina has now come to
CO in hopes of contiuing her career as a dancer and teacher, and is very happy to join the Danza Studio!
Email Christina
Amanda Heffernan
Instructor
Amanda Heffernan was born in Pueblo, CO where she studied at
The Pueblo Ballet and was one of the first company members of
The Sangre de Christo Ballet Theatre. She graduated from the Interlochen
Arts Academy in Interlochen, MI as a dance major and was part
of their regional performing dance troupe. After graduating she
studied as a trainee with The Joffrey Ballet School in New York
City. Upon returning to the Colorado area, she studied at the
Colorado Ballet and has performed with many regional dance companies
including the David Taylor Dance Theater and Kim Robards Repertory
Dance Company as well as having danced as a freelance artist throughout
the region. Some of her favorite roles to perform include, Snow
Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy from the “Nutcracker”,
Swanhilda in “Coppelia”, and solos from “Paquita”.
Amanda has been teaching dance in the Colorado area for the last
ten years. She has been fundamental in forming and directing youth
dance companies, dance and theater camps, and syllabus based dance
programs in Denver area studios. She teaches a wide variety of
dance for all ages including ballet, tap, jazz, ballroom, musical
theater, and creative movement. She loves working with children
and has extensive experience with ages 2-18. Some of her accomplishments
include choreographing and setting full scale ballet productions
such as “The Nutcracker”, “Coppelia”,
and “Peter and the Wolf” as well as choreographing
for children’s musical theater productions and many dance
recitals. She has most recently directed and performed in “The
Nutcracker of Parker” in Parker, CO.
Her goals for the future are to continue bringing an appreciation
for the art of dance to many more students and give them an opportunity
to build strong minds and bodies in the process. “Dance
gives students the opportunity to develop motor skills and be
exposed to such concepts as use of space, timing, rhythm, and
the idea that movement can be used as a mode of expression. The
disciplines of a dance class help children build character and
physical strength in an enjoyable manner” says Heffernan.
Email Amanda
Kelly Frazer
Instructor
Kelly recently moved to Colorado from Florida where she grew up.
She holds a B.S in Finance from the University of Central Florida.
Kelly's dance training began at the age of four in Clearwater,
Florida with Alice Quessy. As Kelly got older she began training
at five different studios throughout Pinellas County to gain a broad
variety of skills and techniques.
After graduating high school, Kelly began touring with the traveling
show Best of Burlesque for two full seasons. At the age of twenty,
Kelly moved to Orlando, Florida and began dancing at the Walt Disney
World Resort's Magic Kingdom. Kelly danced in numerous roles while
at the Magic Kingdom.
Kelly has studied dance and taken master classes with many talented
teachers and choreographers including Savion Glover, Gregory Hines
and Anne Reinking.
Kelly absolutely loves to dance and is honored and excited to be
a part of the Danza Dance Staff.
Email Kelly
Mindy Blank
Instructor
Mindy recently moved to Colorado from Southern California.
She began dancing at the age of two and has studied at numerous dance schools
including Edge Performing Arts Center, Millennium Dance Complex, and Debbie Reynolds Studio.
She has participated in countless dance competitions and conventions including K.A.R,
Showstoppers, and Tremaine Dance Convention; attending twice per year.
Mindy has trained under many notables including Laurie Johnson, Nichelle Bane,
Doug Caldwell and Desiree Robbins. She has also choreographed numerous award winning
numbers in various styles such as Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop and Lyrical.
Mindy is very excited to be a part of the amazing staff at Danza Dance Academy and
looks forward to sharing her passion for dance with all of the students at DDA.
Email Mindy
Dena Blank
Instructor
Dena recently relocated to Castle Rock from California.
The dance industry has been her home for many years.
Not only has Dena been an instructor for many years but she's also had experience being
the artistic director of a studio in California.
The love and devotion from her students has been heartfelt.
Dena enjoys teaching all styles of dance. Tap, ballet, jazz and musical theater are a few of her favorite talents.
Her philosophy is to develop self esteem and a passion for dance in all her students.
Dena is pleased to be a part of the Danza Dance Academy family.
Email Dena
Kevin O'Keefe
Instructor
Kevin has an extensive background in hip hop, break dance and house.
He received training from industry pioneers Clyde Evans, Eric Finn and Quickstep.
Kevin has begun to spread a fire about the history of hip hop and a vision for where
it will go. He has brought this unique flavor to many studios in Colorado,
including CU Boulder and CSU Ft. Collins. He’s been a guest artist at The Arena
in Switzerland, The San Francisco Hip Hop Festival, The Colorado College Dance Festival
and The Breaking Pointe in Montana. Kevin is a former member of Motion Underground’s
hip hop company EOM and one of the top 5 finalists at Colorado’s Best Dance Crew Competition in 2008.
Currently, he is the artistic director of True II Form Dance Group in Boulder.
Established in 2002, it has been moving Colorado audiences to the beat of hip hop culture.
In an effort to educate the public about the unity, freedom of self expression and
foundation elements that are hip hop; True II Form performs and teaches throughout Colorado.
In 2005-2007 the group produced two full length hip hop dance productions. Having a successful
run in Loveland and Denver, "The Art Gallery" used dance, visual, art and slam poetry to
demonstrate the journey hip hop has had in our society. In "Uprooted Funk" True II Form
collaborated with local musicians and a beat boxer to create a funky fusion of live music
and hip hop dance, while paying homage to the influence of funk music on today’s hip hop
culture. "Uprooted Funk" played to packed audiences in Loveland and Boulder. True II Form
provides their community with a positive inclusive view of hip hop. In doing so they are a
favorite at local B-Boy jams, colleges and festivals.
Email Kevin
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