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FACULTY

The Most Passionate Teachers!

We are very blessed to have such vibrant, skilled and invested teachers. We come from many different backgrounds, but all our instructors share a common thing... joy for dance!
Some of our teachers are former students that found a love for instruction and wanted to continue to share their lives with other dancers at the studio. Other teachers have owned studios of their own and found a new home with us at Loveland & Conservatory Dance. We all have so much we want share!

Read our stories and meet our staff. Come in and visit us too!

TEACHER SPOTLIGHT

MEET THE TEACHERS

Miss Kirsten Arispe


Miss Kirsten (Loveland & Greeley Instructor and PDT Choreographer) started dancing at the age of 5 here at Loveland Dance Academy and The Conservatory Dance Studio. Kirsten learned all styles of dance and was a student here for 13 years. She was a member of the Performance Dance Team and a member of her high school cheer team. Kirsten graduated from Colorado Mesa University in 2016, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts’ Degrees in Counseling Psychology and Criminal Justice. Kirsten continued to take ballet and hip-hop classes at the collegiate level and choreographed state cheer routines, while obtaining her degrees. Kirsten became a Licensed Massage Therapist in 2021, which has helped her become more knowledgeable of self-care, rehabilitation, stretching, relaxation, and injury prevention. Miss Kirsten has been an instructor here since 2017 and a choreographer for the Performance Dance Team since 2018. She has fallen in love with teaching, and you will see her teaching a variety of classes.


 

Miss Lydia Borton


Miss Lydia, from Glen Carbon, IL, began dancing when she was three years old. She studied ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and hip-hop. Under the direction of Rena Storm, she studied the Cecchetti method of ballet and passed her grade VII professional exam. In 2016, she graduated from Friends University with a BFA in ballet. Following graduation, Miss Lydia began teaching a variety of styles of dance and working in public schools in her hometown before training with Fort Wayne Ballet in 2018. She moved to Michigan in 2019, where she continued teaching for both competitive and recreational dance classes, choreographing for large groups, small groups, and soloists, and teaching private lessons. She moved to Colorado from Michigan with her husband in 2022 and is excited to be teaching ballet at The Conservatory this year!


 

Miss Connie Comer


 

Miss Connie began dancing at the age of two with her mother, a former professional dancer and musician, as her instructor. While growing up she traveled extensively to all the major US cities to enhance her dance education, training with renowned instructors and choreographers. She attended Colorado University and studied Kinesiology and Early Childhood Development, while studying ballet with Larry Boyette, CU's dance master and director of the Denver Civic Ballet and Colorado Ballet Company. After becoming a professional, she was a member of the National Association of Dance and Affiliated Artists (NADAA) and served on the board for Dance Masters of America. Her repertoire includes tap, ballet and jazz techniques, gymnastic coaching and choreographing for numerous dance concerts and ballets. Having owned three dance schools for 27 years, she trained many dancers to become instructors and performers, including her daughter who danced professionally with a New York City based company touring the US and Europe for 15 years. While living in Arizona, 1987-2003, Miss Connie was owner and director of a pre-school, and taught master classes for various schools in Phoenix. Miss Connie has been teaching for Loveland Dance Academy since 2005. Over the years at LDA, she has taught preschool classes, adult classes and tumbling in addition to teaching tap.


 

Miss Emily Griffith-Schluter

Miss Emily has been connected with The Conservatory since its construction in 1993. She has also studied with Northern Colorado Academy of Dance Arts, Colorado Dance Collective, Colorado Dance Theatre and Movin' for the Lord Dance Company. She obtained a Dance Minor from The University of Northern Colorado and professionally performed with 8th Street Contemporary Dance Company (housed at The Conservatory). Growing up, she dedicated her summers to intensive programs such as Ballet Magnificat and the University of Wyoming. Throughout this time, she has learned a variety of techniques and styles of dance, however, her passion remains in the world of Ballet. She has experience with the Italian and French schools but instructs within the Russian curriculum. She currently instructs Ballet 4, Ballet 5, and all Pointe classes. She adores the opportunity to give back to the studio that helped raise her into the person she is today by instructing the next great generation of dancers passing through its doors.

Miss Jenna Haller

Miss Jenna has been dancing since the age of 5. She was trained in ballet, tap, jazz, and modern as well as in gymnastics which she trained in for 11 years and competed in for 7 years. In 2009 she came to study at the University of Northern Colorado and received her B.S. in Sport and Exercise Science and minor in Dance. While at UNC, she was the recipient of the Dance Talent Scholarship for two years, performed in many showcases, and was an officer with the dance club where she was responsible for organizing dance shows and classes. She attended the American Collegiate Dance Association Conference twice and was asked to perform in the adjudication concert in 2011. In addition, she has trained with teachers from Colorado Ballet, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Broadway Dance Center, Ballet Magnificat, the University of Wyoming, the University of Utah, Kim Robards Dance, and many others. She has taught dance and gymnastics classes to all ages for over ten years and loves sharing her passion and passing on her immense appreciation of this art to her students.

Miss Kristin Hicks


 

 

 

Miss Kristin began dancing at the age of 3 and by age 9, she found Loveland Dance Academy during it's inaugural season. She trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Hip-Hop in addition to performing with the competitive team. After high school, she went on to study under Dr. Karen Genoff-Campbell and Monte Black at the University of Northern Colorado. At UNC she was the President of the UNC Dance Alliance for 3 years and was involved in all shows in various roles. After Miss Kristin graduated in 2011 with her BA in English Literature and Dance, she moved to Vienna, Austria, to be an Au Pair. She was hired by the University of Vienna to teach English immersion jazz and modern classes, while also taking yoga and Pilates at the University. Upon returning to the United States, Miss Kristin was offered a job choreographing the Opera at the University of Northern Colorado. Miss Kristin has been off and on teaching at Loveland and Conservatory Dance since 2012. 

Miss Bianca Jolly


 

Miss Bianca began dancing at the age of 3. In 2010, she continued her training at Loveland Dance Academy where she studied Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Tap, Hip-Hop, and Pointe. She was also a member of the Performance Dance Team. In 2019, Bianca joined the teaching faculty at Loveland Dance Academy and the Conservatory Dance Studio. Additionally, she began working with the administration team and production team for many shows and events. Bianca began choreographing for the Performance Dance Team in 2021. In 2022, Bianca received her Bachelor of Arts in History and Social Studies Education from Colorado State University. She loves having the opportunity to combine her love of dance and education at her home studio!


 

Miss Nessa Kerr


Miss Nessa began studying ballet at the age of two and continued her dance training in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Lyrical at Loveland Dance Academy from the time it opened until she graduated high school in 2006. Nessa began teaching Ballet at LDA in 2003. She performed in many ballets including The Nutcracker, Paquita and Sleeping Beauty with Colorado Dance Theater, and The Nutcracker and Pinocchio with Longmont Dance Theatre. During her time at the University of South Carolina, Nessa studied various styles of dance including Ballet, Jazz, West African, and Contemporary with faculty from the dance department while completing her B.A. in Art History and German. After graduating she taught English in Dessau, Germany for a year and was able to teach jazz while abroad. In 2011, Nessa returned to teaching at LDA while completing her M.A. in Art History. She currently works in Art Collections Management at the Denver Art Museum in addition to teaching Ballet, Pointe, and Conditioning at Loveland Dance Academy. She is also the Assistant Director for Loveland Dance Academy's yearly production of The Nutcracker and the Artistic Director for the ballet summer production.

Nessa is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT®Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT®National Training Curriculum. She is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA, holds a Graduate Certificate in Strength and Conditioning and Fitness Coaching from the University of Denver and is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT). Nessa is passionate about sharing the art of ballet with the next generation of dancers, while working with them to achieve correct technique and strength to support their artistry throughout their dance career. She believes in empowering dancers to understand how their bodies work and how to protect and strengthen them for longevity in their dance careers and beyond.

Miss Sydney Leinweber


Miss Sydney began dancing at age 3 with Miss Connie Comer at Loveland Dance Academy. She is trained in Tap, Modern, Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet and Pointe. Miss Sydney spent 13 years on the Performance Dance Team. Starting in 2019, she helped assist tap classes at the Loveland Studio. Miss Sydney also attended a trip to New York with the dance team where she attended classes at Broadway Dance Center, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Peridance and Steps on Broadway. She also took Modern Technique classes at Colorado University in 2021 & 2022, which focuses on Feldenkrais' technique "Awareness Through Movement" with Anya Cloud. Miss Sydney is currently pursuing a degree in Studio Art and a minor in Korean Language and Culture at Colorado University in Boulder. She teaches for the Performance Dance Team and assists with costuming.

Miss Maddie Martinek


Miss Maddie began studying dance with Loveland Dance Academy at the age of 5. Throughout her time at Loveland Dance Academy, she was a member of the Performance Dance Team for eight years. Maddie has trained with the Colorado Ballet and American Ballet Theatre as well as many of the current instructors at Loveland Dance Academy and the Conservatory. Maddie graduated from Colorado State University with her Bachelor of Arts in Dance in December 2018. Following graduation, she danced professionally with the Hannah Kahn Dance Company, a modern-based performing dance company in Denver, Colorado. In 2022, Miss Maddie became a Licensed Massage Therapist where she helps dancers with injury rehabilitation, recovery, and longevity in dance. Since 2018, Miss Maddie has been an instructor, choreographer, and manager for the Performance Dance Team.

Miss Morgan Packard


Miss Morgan Packard began dancing since the age of 5. She was trained in Tap, Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, and Hip-Hop. She competed and performed extensively with the performance team at Evergreen Dance Center for 6 years. In high school, Miss Morgan began student teaching and helped choreograph dance numbers for local productions and musicals. In 2022, Miss Morgan joined the teaching faculty at The Conservatory where she teaches a full spectrum of tap levels. In addition to teaching, she is an apprentice for the tap intensive, Tap Into The Network, which has allowed her to travel and assist tap classes throughout the country. Miss Morgan prides herself on creating a safe and positive atmosphere in her classes where students not only improve their technique, but grow their love of dance. She is so excited to continue her dance journey with The Conservatory!

Miss Taylor Roberts


Miss Taylor Roberts began dancing at the age of 3 and later joined Loveland Dance Academy in 2009. She is diversely trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Contemporary and Pointe. Miss Taylor was a member of the Performance Dance Team. The summer of 2019, she extended her training during a trip to New York where she trained at legendary studios such as Broadway Dance Center, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Peridance Capezio Center and Steps on Broadway. During Miss Taylor's junior year of high school, she began to assist classes and rehearsals, forming her love for teaching. Miss Taylor is actively working on her degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Northern Colorado. She currently teaches for both Conservatory Dance and Loveland Dance where she joined the teaching faculty in 2021. In 2022 she became a choreographer for the Performance Dance Team and an important member of the administrative team.

Miss Baylee Watts


 

Miss Baylee began dancing at the age of 3 with Loveland Dance Academy. She also spent time training at The Conservatory Dance Studio. During her time at Loveland Dance and the Conservatory, she was also a member of the Performance Dance Team. Baylee then went on to receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre and Dance from the University of Wyoming. While studying at the University of Wyoming, Baylee had the opportunity to work with many prestigious choreographers and artists such as Pablo Francisco Ruvalcaba, Virginia Johnson, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Jarek Cemerek, Jesse Obremski, and Daniel Charon. In addition to her many performance opportunities, Baylee also studied Dance Kinesiology, pedagogy, dance history, and composition. Baylee has also attended several American College Dance association festivals including the National College Dance Association Festival in Washington D.C where she was privileged to perform at the world-renowned Kennedy Center. Baylee also studied the Gaga movement language in New York City where she was able to learn from the creator of Gaga himself, Ohad Naharin. In 2019, Miss Baylee reunited with Loveland Dance Academy and The Conservatory Dance Studio  and joined the teaching faculty. In 2022, she became the Office Manager in addition to teaching and choreographing for the Performance Dance Team.

Miss Linda Wray


Miss Linda has taught dance for over 15 years, focusing on tap over the last several of those years. She has experience teaching all ages, from the very young to the very mature. Linda enjoys incorporating a variety of tap styles in her instruction and choreography, including broadway, classical, hoofing and even a little stomp.

Linda grew up taking piano lessons and acting in school plays. Her fondest memories include a 4thgrade school performance playing "Alley Cat" on the piano while some of her classmates danced to her choreography around brand spanking new trash cans!

Linda loves sharing her passion and excitement for dance with her students. She brings a level of high energy to the classroom; and always has an encouraging word and congratulatory remarks for her students as they start with beginning tap steps and grow into intermediate and more advanced technique.

Miss Shelly Wright


Miss Shelly has over twenty years teaching experience as she has moved around the country over her adult life. She has lived and taught in California, Missouri, Utah, Colorado; including directing her own studio for 7 years in Utah. She moved to Northern Colorado in 2006 and began teaching at Loveland Dance Academy and The Conservatory Dance Studio. Her technical training comes from Utah Regional Ballet where she was a company member during their grass roots years. She has also trained in Jazz, Tap and Modern dance. Shelly studied at Brigham Young University (Utah), receiving her degree in Philosophy. She also attended and danced at Cal State - Northridge and the University of Missouri, Columbia. Additional training and performances included Center Stage Performing Arts (Utah) and Termaine competitions/workshops. Teaching is the perfect way for her to share her love for dance and art, especially with young children.

MEET THE ADMIN TEAM

Lynda Davis (Financial Operations)


Miss Lynda Davis began working for Loveland Dance Academy in 2009. She retired from Hewlett Packard after 28 years of various management positions in Finance, Planning, and Project Management. After a year of retirement and golfing with Miss Connie, Lynda was persuaded to assist the needs of Dance Dream 3 Studios where she then abruptly switched into the dance arts industry. Her strong financial background makes her a perfect match to assist with the long term financial planning of the studios.


Baylee Watts (Office Manager)


Miss Baylee Watts began dancing at the age of 3 with Loveland Dance Academy in addition to training at The Conservatory Dance Studio where she was a member of the Performance Dance Team. Miss Baylee then went on to receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre and Dance from the University of Wyoming. She has studied Dance Kinesiology, pedagogy, dance history, and composition. In 2019, Miss Baylee reunited with Loveland Dance Academy and The Conservatory Dance Studio and joined the teaching faculty. In 2022, she became the Office Manager in addition to teaching and choreographing for the Performance Dance Team.


Jen Tow (Costume Mistress)


COMING SOON!


Caela Ickes (Greeley Administrator)


Miss Caela started dancing at the age of 3 and enrolled at the Conservatory Dance Studio from age 7-16. She was a valued member of the Conservatory's Ballet Company where she studied and performed classical and contemporary works under the direction of resident teacher, Miss Margaret Wagner. Additionally, Miss Caela trained in Tap, Jazz and Hip-Hop but remained focused with Ballet and Pointe. In 2021, Miss Caela became an important member of the administrative team for the Greeley studio. Dancing and music has always been a consistent element for Miss Caela.


Taylor Roberts (Loveland & Greeley Administrator)


Miss Taylor Roberts began dancing at the age of 3 and later joined Loveland Dance Academy in 2009. Miss Taylor is actively working on her degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Northern Colorado. She currently teaches for both Conservatory Dance and Loveland Dance where she joined the teaching faculty in 2021. In 2022 she became a choreographer for the Performance Dance Team and an important member of the administrative team.

MEET THE OWNERS

MEET THE OWNERS

Miss Jenni Leinweber

Miss Jenni (Artistic Director) is co-owner, Instructor and Artistic Director for the Loveland Dance Academy (Loveland) and the Conservatory Dance Studio (Greeley). In the winter of 2011, Miss Jenni produced, directed and staged the studio's first full length ballet production of "The Nutcracker" (Loveland). In 2018, Jenni became an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT®Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT®National Training Curriculum. Additionally, she has attended ballet curriculum and teacher workshops with instructors from the Kirov Ballet and Boston Ballet. Outside of teaching at her two studios, Miss Jenni created a program called "Music and Movement" which she taught at Garfield Elementary, Arts Magnet Program for four seasons and she currently travels to Children's Workshop (Loveland and Greeley) to teach daycare dance programs.

Miss Jenni has been dancing since age 3 and at 11 she began studying Ballet with Christina Noel at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities (Arvada). Miss Jenni is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado and holds an Interdisciplinary Fine Arts Degree with minors in Music and Business Administration. Additionally she serves as the Costume Director for the studios where she designs, fits and details costumes for all performances.

Miss Jenni has a fun teaching style that brings joy and exploration into her classes.

Miss Katie McSwain

Miss Katie McSwain (Studio Director) is co-owner, Instructor and Studio Director for The Conservatory Dance Studio (Greeley) and Loveland Dance Academy (Loveland). In 1998 she created an elite youth competitive group which has received superior recognition for awards in both technique and choreography.

Miss Katie began dancing at age 3, and her chief dance training includes Shelly True Dance Academy (Greeley/Denver), The Conservatory Dance Studio (Greeley), Starstruck Academy of Dance (Denver), and the EDGE Performing Arts Center (Los Angeles). After returning to Colorado from Los Angeles in 2002, Miss Katie became a dance studio owner and full time Instructor. Her students have been accepted into the prestigious scholarship program at The EDGE Performing Arts Center in Hollywood, CA, while other students have gone on to dance for Disney, Nike, iPod, cruise lines, Las Vegas shows, college dance programs and professional dance companies. In 2006, she founded the professional dance company, 8th Street Contemporary, which performed for four seasons throughout Northern Colorado. In 2007, she began guest choreographing for the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) with the concert series "Miranda's Nightmare" as well as their Spring Showcase and later working as an adjunct professor within the Dance department. Additionally, Miss Katie worked with Greeley Central High School's Arts Magnet Program teaching dance from 2009-2017.

Miss Katie is a passionate and high energy teacher with a true love for all ages and abilities of dancers. Creating excitement and discovery in class is her driving force for teaching.

Miss Linda McSwain

Miss Linda McSwain (Founding Owner) was the founding co-owner and Administrative Director of The Conservatory Dance Studio (Greeley) in 1993. In 1998 she co-founded Loveland Dance Academy (Loveland) and Tutu Cute Dance Boutique. Linda was the founding President of Colorado Dance Theatre (Greeley) and an active member of the Downtown Development Authority (Greeley). She has been an involved community leader who is enthusiastic and optimistic regarding the revitalization of Downtown Greeley as well as the quality of life in Greeley. Linda attended the University of Northern Colorado (Greeley) and graduated from the University of Miami with a B.S. in Nursing. She has since found herself involved in many small businesses including real estate investments, wellness health products with Nikken, Inc. and she is a certified instructor of YogAlign. In addition, Linda was a Board Member and Director of Development for the non-profit arts organization, 8th Street Company Inc. 2007-2009.

In 2012, Linda helped merge The Conservatory Dance Studio (Greeley), Loveland Dance Academy (Loveland) and the retail store, Tutu Cute Dance Boutique, into a new successful parent company called Dance Dream 3 Studios, LLC. Her business and real-estate expertise has encouraged the remodel of the Greeley studio's main level and the purchase of a new building for the Loveland studio.

Linda is not a dancer, but she loves watching and supporting her two business partners, Katie and Jenni as they pass along their passion for teaching and dancing.

More About Us

Loveland Dance Academy

440 N Lincoln Avenue
Loveland, CO 80537

(970) 667-2091 | info@dancedreamstudios.com

Mon-Thurs: 3:00PM - 8:00PM
Fri-Sun: Closed

Conservatory Dance Studio

813 8th Street
Greeley, CO 80631

(970) 356-7104 | info@dancedreamstudios.com

Mon-Thurs: 4:00PM - 7:00PM
Fri-Sun: Closed

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