Staff
Our staff and teachers are the lifeblood of our program, bringing years of education, experience, and heart to our program.
Shelly Clements
Executive Director
Shelly Clements
Shelly Chapple Clements is a professional dancer and master instructor who settled into her forever home in Gunnison in December 2018. Shelly grew up in Amish country in rural Pennsylvania. She was accepted into the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School at age 9, attended the National Academy of Arts in Champaign-Urbana, IL, under the direction of Petrus Bosman at age 14, and graduated from the Pittsburgh High School for Creative and Performing Arts. As Shelly Chapple, she enjoyed a 12-year career as a professional dancer and instructor in the San Francisco Bay Area. She trained at Lines Contemporary Ballet under Alonzo King and ODC SF, the first modern dance company in America to build its facility under Brenda Way. Shelly performed with choreographers including Joan Lazarus, Liss Fain, Patricia Jiron, Reggie Savage, Joe Landini, Margret Jenkins, and more, co-directing and dancing principal roles with John Butterfield’s New Urban Dance Company. In 1995 Shelly returned to Pittsburgh to work with The Dance Alloy (now Attack Theatre), Kevin Maloney, Tome Cousin, Doug Bentz, and more. Famous? No. Was she dancing like crazy and loving life? Yes!
In 2003 Shelly relocated to Colorado Springs, Colorado, and met her husband the first day she arrived; in 2007, she became Shelly Clements. Ms. Clements graduated from Colorado Mesa University with degrees in Spanish Translation and Interpretation, Hispanic Literature, and Dance. She spent 2011 and 2012 in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico, where she taught English and Ballet. Upon returning to Colorado, in the Denver Metro area, Shelly worked with various competitive dance studios and loved her time on the competitive dance circuit. She attended CU Denver and the School of Education and Human Development master’s program focusing on cultural diversity in classrooms. Before relocating to Gunnison, Ms. Clements worked for Arts Immersion/Summit Education Group (now AIM Global) as an online teacher and curriculum developer; she is currently a high school Spanish teacher in the Gunnison Watershed School District.
Eve Smith
Program Director & Instructor
Eve Smith
Eve Smith is a lifetime artist with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of Art, University of Arkansas. While an undergraduate, she studied abroad in Rome, Italy falling in love with figurative work. After graduation, she was accepted as an artist in residence through the Arkansas Arts Council and taught multidisciplined art in seven elementary schools in NWA. Eve became the Director of Exhibitions and Public Programs at the Arts Center of the Ozarks in 2010, where she curated multiple exhibitions working with major art museums such as Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and Exhibits USA. She championed all art mediums with site-specific programs in the area and administered one of the largest mid-central professional development programs in the south, Artist INC. Her programming career focused on social practice and inclusion in Springdale, AR, working with national award-winning organizations like the Latin Arts Organization of Arkansas in their Folkloric Ballet and the Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese, which is now working with major Art Museums.
Eve is a master teacher with over 15 years of experience as a multi-disciplined educator in organizations and the public & private education sectors. She taught high school art in Richmond, VA, from 2019 to 2021, with studies in visual arts, film and media, and even yoga and mindfulness practices. She is a practicing artist whose mediums include oil, watercolor, and mixed media, emphasizing the figure as a narrative form, having exhibited in mid-central and east coast regions. She now lives, works, and plays in Gunnison, Crested Butte area, and continues to be an arts leader, artist, cultural producer, and activist.
Alexandria Rodriguez
Program Coordinator & Instructor
Alexandria Rodriguez
Alexandria started dancing at age five and instantly fell in love with performing. Even though she did take a break from dancing in her teen years to play club soccer, she could not stay away for long. Alex returned to the stage in High school, where she was a part of the Central Chargers Lightning Dance team in Keller, Texas. During her four years, she was Sophomore VP and Senior Lieutenant. The dance team won nationals all four years, and Alex competed in solos that received a division 1 award her sophomore, junior, and senior year. In her senior year, she placed in the top 10 at Crowd Pleasers and received a choreography award for her solo and Officer line novelty. Alex was also active at her studio, Pat Riddle School of Dance, in Colleyville, Texas. She took multiple technique classes and was a part of the Hip hop company team.
After high school, Alex continued to dance in college. She attended Tarrant County College for two years and was part of Movers Unlimited Dance Company. When she received her associate's degree, Alex continued on to attend the University of North Texas in Denton. While there, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance with an emphasis in Choreography. During her time at UNT, she performed in and also had a piece shown in the New Choreographers Concert. Alex was invited to attend the American College Dance Festival at Sam Houston State University and the Texas Dance Improvisation Festival in San Marcos. Alex was also selected to attend the Millennium Dance Complex Summer intensive in California 2 years in a row. Alex graduated in 2013 and started teaching dance at Sheena's Dance Academy in Frisco, Texas.
Not only did Alex start teaching dance, but she also discovered her love for aerial arts. Alex started her aerial training at Vertical Fitness Dallas and Lonestar Circus School in 2013. While she has training in Lyra, Sling, Corde lisse, Spanish Web, and Pole. Alex's one true love is silks. Some names she has trained under are Rain Anya from Paper Doll Militia, Jennifer Kovacks, and Anna–Marie Pittman. Her aerial and dance background allowed her to perform with Pie in the Sky Dance Works and Eclipse Entertainment. Some of the events she has been a part of include the Lights All Night New Year's Eve Festival, Dallas Mavericks Charity Ball, and Bud light's Whatever the USA. (Fun Fact: Whatever USA was her first visit to Crested Butte!)
On top of all her dance and aerial training, Alex is a level 4 Pure Barre teacher, a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach, and was a lead teacher for Cyclebar Flower Mound, and she coaches the Dance Team at Western Colorado University. Alex moved to Gunnison in 2017. During her time in the Valley, she has choreographed for Move the Butte 4 years in a row. (2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.) She loves how much art and dance are celebrated here in the community. You might not know that Alexhe did percussion in middle school and was on drumline during her freshman year of high school! She can still bang out a beat and read music. When Alex has free time, you can find her adventuring with her 4-year-old husky/shepherd and best friend, Mogli.
KT Folz
Program Coordinator & Instructor
Alexandria Rodriguez
Alexandria started dancing at age five and instantly fell in love with performing. Even though she did take a break from dancing in her teen years to play club soccer, she could not stay away for long. Alex returned to the stage in High school, where she was a part of the Central Chargers Lightning Dance team in Keller, Texas. During her four years, she was Sophomore VP and Senior Lieutenant. The dance team won nationals all four years, and Alex competed in solos that received a division 1 award her sophomore, junior, and senior year. In her senior year, she placed in the top 10 at Crowd Pleasers and received a choreography award for her solo and Officer line novelty. Alex was also active at her studio, Pat Riddle School of Dance, in Colleyville, Texas. She took multiple technique classes and was a part of the Hip hop company team.
After high school, Alex continued to dance in college. She attended Tarrant County College for two years and was part of Movers Unlimited Dance Company. When she received her associate's degree, Alex continued on to attend the University of North Texas in Denton. While there, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance with an emphasis in Choreography. During her time at UNT, she performed in and also had a piece shown in the New Choreographers Concert. Alex was invited to attend the American College Dance Festival at Sam Houston State University and the Texas Dance Improvisation Festival in San Marcos. Alex was also selected to attend the Millennium Dance Complex Summer intensive in California 2 years in a row. Alex graduated in 2013 and started teaching dance at Sheena's Dance Academy in Frisco, Texas.
Not only did Alex start teaching dance, but she also discovered her love for aerial arts. Alex started her aerial training at Vertical Fitness Dallas and Lonestar Circus School in 2013. While she has training in Lyra, Sling, Corde lisse, Spanish Web, and Pole. Alex's one true love is silks. Some names she has trained under are Rain Anya from Paper Doll Militia, Jennifer Kovacks, and Anna–Marie Pittman. Her aerial and dance background allowed her to perform with Pie in the Sky Dance Works and Eclipse Entertainment. Some of the events she has been a part of include the Lights All Night New Year's Eve Festival, Dallas Mavericks Charity Ball, and Bud light's Whatever the USA. (Fun Fact: Whatever USA was her first visit to Crested Butte!)
On top of all her dance and aerial training, Alex is a level 4 Pure Barre teacher, a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach, and was a lead teacher for Cyclebar Flower Mound, and she coaches the Dance Team at Western Colorado University. Alex moved to Gunnison in 2017. During her time in the Valley, she has choreographed for Move the Butte 4 years in a row. (2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.) She loves how much art and dance are celebrated here in the community. You might not know that Alexhe did percussion in middle school and was on drumline during her freshman year of high school! She can still bang out a beat and read music. When Alex has free time, you can find her adventuring with her 4-year-old husky/shepherd and best friend, Mogli.
Alice Jennison
Instructor
Alice Jennison
Alice grew up in Denver, where she studied ballet, modern, and jazz with the Colorado Ballet from age 6 to 18. During high school, she was an apprentice with the company and performed many roles in professional productions of the Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, and Les Patineurs. She also attended summer workshops with Ballet West, Boston Ballet, and Milwaukee Ballet. She then went on to dance, choreograph and perform with student-run companies during four years of college, exploring many different dance styles and helping to organize shows.
After college, Alice took a long break from dance while working, attending graduate school, and raising her family. Upon moving to Crested Butte in 2013, she discovered a vibrant dance community and began to take dance classes again. She enjoys participating in Move the Butte and other CB Dance Collective productions as a dancer and choreographer. She is thrilled to be an instructor with the CB School of Dance and share her love of ballet with dancers of all ages. Alice lives in Crested Butte with her husband, daughter, son, and dog.
Amber St. Vincent
Instructor
Amber St. Vincent
Amber put on her first pair of tap shoes at age three and unknowingly began her obsession with tap. Growing up in a small town in Upper Michigan, she studied tap, jazz, ballet, and pointe through high school, then expanded her training to include contemporary, lyrical, and aerial while attending Michigan State University. She moved to Crested Butte in December 2011 to only stay through the ski season but fell in love with the town, the mountain, and the community. Her first experience dancing in the valley was Move the Butte in 2013, and shortly afterward, she began teaching with the Crested Butte School of Dance. She has been dancing and teaching with the School of Dance and the Crested Butte Dance Collective ever since. Her favorite part of dancing and teaching is the final show week's thrill, excitement, and chaos!
Corinne McKeever
Instructor
Corinne McKeever
Corinne attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia for two years majoring in Dance, and ultimately completed her BFA in Dance Performance from The Ohio State University. She trained at the Laban Center in London for a summer semester while completing her Pilates Mat Certification from The Kane School in New York. Upon graduating, Corinne moved back to New York, where she is originally from, and performed locally with Diane McCarthy, Carol Nolte Dance Collective, and Dance Visions. She taught children’s creative Dance, modern, ballet, and tap at notable studios in NYC, including Peridance Center and Mulberry Street Theater, as well as the Berest Dance Center on Long Island. Corinne and her family moved from Brooklyn to Crested Butte about six years ago. She has four young children and loves being a part of this beautiful artistic community nestled in the Rockies. Her contemporary classes here focus on clean technique and fostering an environment for dancers to find their unique artistic expression. Corinne attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia for two years majoring in Dance, and ultimately completed her BFA in Dance Performance from The Ohio State University. She trained at the Laban Center in London for a summer semester and completed her Pilates Mat Certification from The Kane School in New York. Upon graduating, Corinne moved back to New York, where she is originally from, and performed locally with Diane McCarthy, Carol Nolte Dance Collective, and Dance Visions. She taught children’s creative Dance, modern, ballet, and tap at notable studios in NYC, including Peridance Center and Mulberry Street Theater, as well as the Berest Dance Center on Long Island. Corinne and her family moved from Brooklyn to Crested Butte about six years ago. She has four young children and loves being a part of this beautiful artistic community nestled in the Rockies. Her contemporary classes here focus on clean technique and fostering an environment for dancers to find their unique artistic expression.Corinne attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia for two years majoring in Dance, and ultimately completed her BFA in Dance Performance from The Ohio State University. She trained at the Laban Center in London for a summer semester while completing her Pilates Mat Certification from The Kane School in New York. Upon graduating, Corinne moved back to New York, where she is originally from, and performed locally with Diane McCarthy, Carol Nolte Dance Collective, and Dance Visions. She taught children’s creative Dance, modern, ballet, and tap at notable studios in NYC, including Peridance Center and Mulberry Street Theater, as well as the Berest Dance Center on Long Island. Corinne and her family moved from Brooklyn to Crested Butte about six years ago. She has four young children and loves being a part of this beautiful artistic community nestled in the Rockies. Her contemporary classes here focus on clean technique and fostering an environment for dancers to find their unique artistic expression. Corinne attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia for two years majoring in Dance, and ultimately completed her BFA in Dance Performance from The Ohio State University. She trained at the Laban Center in London for a summer semester and completed her Pilates Mat Certification from The Kane School in New York. Upon graduating, Corinne moved back to New York, where she is originally from, and performed locally with Diane McCarthy, Carol Nolte Dance Collective, and Dance Visions. She taught children’s creative Dance, modern, ballet, and tap at notable studios in NYC, including Peridance Center and Mulberry Street Theater, as well as the Berest Dance Center on Long Island. Corinne and her family moved from Brooklyn to Crested Butte about six years ago. She has four young children and loves being a part of this beautiful artistic community nestled in the Rockies. Her contemporary classes here focus on clean technique and fostering an environment for dancers to find their unique artistic expression.
Jodi Payne
Instructor
Jodi Payne
Jodi began dancing in musical theatre at 6 in her hometown’s humble dance studio. She grew up in the small town of North Branch, Michigan, where Jodi studied ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and modern dance throughout her childhood. She attended Northern Michigan University, minored in Dance Studies, and danced professionally with Tamama Dance Company. Additionally, Jodi loves folk and African dance and is excited to bring that passion to the School of Dance. Jodi moved to Gunnison in June 2020 and fell in love with the valley! When she is not teaching dance, you can find her working at the Food Pantry, walking her dogs, or listening to podcasts.
Katie Schutt
Instructor
Katie Schutt
Katie’s love of classical ballet began at a young age after experiencing the magic of Christmas and the dance that is the Nutcracker. This experience led her to pursue training with Esther Geoffrey at Colorado College and then Mark Carlson and German Zamuel at the International Ballet School in Colorado Springs. Katie spent summers dancing with pre-professional programs, including American Ballet Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet, the Kirov Academy, and Harid Conservatory. Katie was accepted and trained with the Harid Conservatory as a year-round student before attending college at the University of Denver. She has performed with Colorado Ballet and the Vail International Dance Festival. During her graduate studies at Texas Tech University, she co-founded Flatlands Dance Theatre, where she served as Executive Director and was able to choreograph and perform with the company. Katie and her family have been spending time in Crested Butte for the last twenty years and are thrilled to now call it home. Katie, her husband Chris, daughter Carter, and black lab Lily love hiking, skiing, and enjoying all the nature and beauty of the valley.
Sakara (Saki) Sullivan
Instructor
Sakara (Saki) Sullivan
Saki, grew up performing and touring in a Grammy-winning children’s hip hop band in Asheville, North Carolina. She moved to a smaller town in Northern California for her middle and high school years, where she fell in love with dance, eventually joining a dance team that gave her amazing opportunities all over California. She attended dance conventions and masterclasses with some of Los Angeles’ best teachers and choreographers, as well as regular classes in San Francisco. She is currently attending Western Colorado University with a major in politics and government with a minor in philosophy. Still, her true passion is empowering women and girls, and she believes that dance is one of the best ways to do this.
Moriah Ernst
Instructor
Moriah grew up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and started dancing at age 3. She grew up dancing at Miss Jeanne’s School of Dance and the Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Moriah trained in ballet, jazz, musical theater, lyrical and modern. Moriah began competition dance at age ten and competed through high school. Moriah was involved in several competition teams. In 2006 Moriah had the unique opportunity to train at the North Carolina School of the Arts during Summer Intensive with a concentration in modern. Once Moriah graduated high school, she decided to pursue her dream of collegiate skiing, which brought her to Western State, but she continued to dance recreationally. In 2015 she graduated with a B.A. in psychology and a minor in sports psychology. Stemming from Moriah’s background in Dance, she concentrated her studies on eating disorders and injury in athletes. Moriah loves sharing her passion and knowledge of Dance with the community of Crested Butte.
Alice Jennison
Instructor
Alice grew up in Denver, where she studied ballet, modern, and jazz, with the Colorado Ballet from age 6 to 18. During high school, she was an apprentice with the company and performed many roles in professional productions of the Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, and Les Patineurs. She also attended summer workshops with Ballet West, Boston Ballet, and Milwaukee Ballet. She then went on to dance, choreograph and perform with student-run companies during four years of college, exploring many different dance styles and helping to organize shows. After college, Alice took a long break from dance while working, attending graduate school, and raising her family. Upon moving to Crested Butte in 2013, she discovered a vibrant dance community and began to take dance classes again. She enjoys participating in Move the Butte and other CB Dance Collective productions as a dancer and choreographer. She is thrilled to be an instructor with the CB School of Dance and share her love of ballet with dancers of all ages. Alice lives in Crested Butte with her husband, daughter, son, and dog.
