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Artistic Staff
Theresa Kahl
Executive Director
No stranger to the dance community on the Western Slope, Theresa has been instructing, choreographing, and educating all aspects of dance through local dance studios and schools for over 30 years. She has trained extensively in all styles of dance and has worked and continues to work with some of the nation's leading master instructors and choreographers. In addition to being highly active working with all levels, ages and styles of classes at the school of Absolute Dance, Theresa is a regular guest with Colorado Mesa University. Her commitments to dance in the Grand Valley are endless for why she sought out Colorado West Performing Arts Company to be formed. Former students who have trained with her have gone on to receive scholarships to prestigious universities and dance programs across the states including Edge Performing Arts Center, Orlando Ballet, Boston Ballet, Alonzo Lines, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet and have started to develop careers of their own in dance, dancing for companies such as Shen Wei, Orlando Ballet, Nashville Ballet, State Street Ballet and various contemporary companies and other commercial work. She strongly believes there is a place for everyone in dance and looks for diversity amongst dancers.
Dina Duckworth
Artistic and Rehearsal Director
Dina Duckworth is a graduate of North Carolina School of the Arts in dance. She began classical ballet at the age of six. She has studied dance with the School of American Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Jillana, and at the Nathalie LeVine Academy of Ballet in St. Louis. She has danced with the Aspen Ballet Company, the St. Louis Ballet Company, and the Metropolitan Ballet of St. Louis. Dina is certified in American Ballet Theatre's National Training Curriculum, Pre-Primary - Level 5 and a certified Polestar Pilates instructor. She has done stage and production management for HBO, USCAF, Aspen Dance Festival, Wheeler Opera House, Aspen Community Theatre, and Danse Arts Theatre Company. Dina has taught intermediate/advanced ballet and pointe classes most recently at the Glenwood Dance Academy as well as Crystal River Ballet.
Kety Vandervelde
Rehearsal and Artistic Director
Kety has been dancing since the age of 5. She grew up dancing Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, and Modern at “Bat Dor” School of Dance in Beer Sheva, Israel. Through which she received her certifications with The R.A.D (Royal Academy of Dance, London UK) between 2006-2009. After 3 years of military service in the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces); Kety moved to Jackson, Mississippi in 2014 to train with Ballet Magnificat. At Ballet Magnificat she trained in Vaganova technique, taught, danced, and performed before moving to Grand Junction with her husband in 2019. She is excited to be here on the Western Slope and training dancers for Absolute Dance Company.
Maeva Ward
Artistic and Rehearsal Director
Maeva’s dance training started at a very young age at the Conservatoire Municipale de Suresnes in Paris, France. There, she studied both ballet and modern dance from principal dancers from the Paris Opera. At the age of 14, her family moved to the United States where she continued her dance training at a local studio in Burlington, Vermont. After high school, Maeva studied dance at the Univerisity of Utah as a ballet major. She also studied at Utah Valley University where she graduated with a degree in Modern Dance (BS). Following her secondary education, Maeva has taught modern dance and ballet at multiple studios domestically and internationally as well as at taught modern dance at Utah Valley University. Maeva has choreographed many dances for studios, high school dance teams, college dance companies, and pre professional dance companies, some of which have won best choreography awards. She has been a guest judge at several dance competitions across Utah. Maeva is a certified 200hr vinyasa yoga instructor, and has a certification in Progressive Ballet Technique. As a teacher, Maeva strives to teach her love for dance to her students while focusing on strong fundamental technique, strength, flexibility, as well as musicality and artistry.
In her free time Maeva likes to run, cook, be outdoors, travel and visit new places, and spend time with her husband and 5 children.
Nicole Wilkinson
Artistic and Rehearsal Director
A Grand Junction Native, Nikki began her dance training at the age of 4 where she studied Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Contemporary. During her adolescent years she spent summers studying at St. Louis Ballet, Tucson Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Broadway Dance Centre, and The Edge. During this time she had the opportunity to perform with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, High Desert Opera, Monument Dance Theater, and David Taylor Dance Theater.
After Graduating high school Nikki joined David Taylor Dance Theater before moving to Atlanta, Georgia to pursue opportunities with Georgia Ballet Theater and later David Norwood. In 2015 she transferred her love of performing into teaching. Nikki has taught Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, and Tap to all ages. She is certified in Progressive Ballet Technique and uses this to help her students strengthen their technique in a safe low impact way. She has choreographed several full length Ballets including but not limited to The Nutcracker and Alice in Wonderland.