LEANNA EARLYWINE, Owner, was born and raised in northwest Indiana where she
excelled in dance, voice and theatre, and was a concert clarinetist in the Chicago area. She
also studied dance with Gus Giordano. Moving to Colorado she majored in Theatre at
Denver University where she starred in and choreographed many of the theatre department
shows, as well as the internationally recognized D.U. Swing Choir which she co-founded.
Leanna joined Picus Dance while still in college and worked under Stan and Heidi Picus and
soon performed with the Picus Dance Company. She was also featured at Country Dinner
Playhouse as one of Stan Picus' dancers. Leanna not only choreographs for the Off
Broadway Academy of Dance Company, but has also choreographed for numerous high
school productions. Leanna has taught dance for 22 years in the Denver metro area, was
director of Picus Dance Academy for five years. Her biggest joy besides being a mother and
wife is to nurture and watch students grow not only as dancers, but as overall confident,
well-rounded individuals.
excelled in dance, voice and theatre, and was a concert clarinetist in the Chicago area. She
also studied dance with Gus Giordano. Moving to Colorado she majored in Theatre at
Denver University where she starred in and choreographed many of the theatre department
shows, as well as the internationally recognized D.U. Swing Choir which she co-founded.
Leanna joined Picus Dance while still in college and worked under Stan and Heidi Picus and
soon performed with the Picus Dance Company. She was also featured at Country Dinner
Playhouse as one of Stan Picus' dancers. Leanna not only choreographs for the Off
Broadway Academy of Dance Company, but has also choreographed for numerous high
school productions. Leanna has taught dance for 22 years in the Denver metro area, was
director of Picus Dance Academy for five years. Her biggest joy besides being a mother and
wife is to nurture and watch students grow not only as dancers, but as overall confident,
well-rounded individuals.
MICHAEL PETR is a World Class Ballroom dancer currently living in Denver. He
traveled the world training with the most renowned teachers while placing in the
final of World Mambo, Salsa and Showdance Championships. He has won many
international ballroom competitions and performed for government officers of many
countries. Michael is an open dancer with respect and love for other dance forms. He
has a strong desire for stage choreography and is perpetually studying it. For several
years he has trained in Graham as well as worked and choreographed for dance
companies and studios in US and in Czech. Currently he is developing his own Latin
dance theory called "Ladder Technique".
"Devotion to the motion creates emotion"
Martha Graham
traveled the world training with the most renowned teachers while placing in the
final of World Mambo, Salsa and Showdance Championships. He has won many
international ballroom competitions and performed for government officers of many
countries. Michael is an open dancer with respect and love for other dance forms. He
has a strong desire for stage choreography and is perpetually studying it. For several
years he has trained in Graham as well as worked and choreographed for dance
companies and studios in US and in Czech. Currently he is developing his own Latin
dance theory called "Ladder Technique".
"Devotion to the motion creates emotion"
Martha Graham
Additional Faculty Members
JENNIFER GOLONKA recently moved to Denver from NYC for the beautiful
weather and picturesque surroundings. While still residing in NYC she performed
with the Jessica Lang Project, Freshblood Productions and Pick of the Crop Dance
where she performed works by David Parsons, Gail Gilbert, Colin Conner and Laura
Dean. She has also had the opportunity to perform with, Battleworks Dance
Company, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Take Dance Company and Kristopher Weinstein
Storey.
Jennifer studied at the Martha Graham School, the Limon Instituted and Peridance
Center. As a staunch activist for both the environment and politics Jennifer joined
Nimbus Dance, a company that presented multi-media dance concerts dealing with
current events. She was the resident choreographer. Since her move to Denver
Jennifer has performed with Kim Robards Dance Company, co-directed the
Threshold Project and is currently dancing with 3rd Law Dance/Theater.
Jennifer spends her summers at Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp
in Steamboat Springs where she teaches modern dance, repertory, choreography and
Pilates.
weather and picturesque surroundings. While still residing in NYC she performed
with the Jessica Lang Project, Freshblood Productions and Pick of the Crop Dance
where she performed works by David Parsons, Gail Gilbert, Colin Conner and Laura
Dean. She has also had the opportunity to perform with, Battleworks Dance
Company, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Take Dance Company and Kristopher Weinstein
Storey.
Jennifer studied at the Martha Graham School, the Limon Instituted and Peridance
Center. As a staunch activist for both the environment and politics Jennifer joined
Nimbus Dance, a company that presented multi-media dance concerts dealing with
current events. She was the resident choreographer. Since her move to Denver
Jennifer has performed with Kim Robards Dance Company, co-directed the
Threshold Project and is currently dancing with 3rd Law Dance/Theater.
Jennifer spends her summers at Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp
in Steamboat Springs where she teaches modern dance, repertory, choreography and
Pilates.
KENDRA HARMAN was born in the small town of Parker, Colorado. As a young girl
she started ice-skating with a career in mind. After learning how dance could help
her be a stronger skater, she hung up her skates for good. Therefore starting her
dance education with Picus Dance Academy. Kendra has studied with Stan and Heidi
Picus as well as Leanna Earlywine. She has competed locally as well as nationally.
Kendra has been in a number of productions, including “The Death & Life of
Sneaky Fitch”, “Chess”, and assisted in the choreography for many other
productions.
As much as she enjoys teaching and being a member of the Off Broadway Academy
of Dance family, she also enjoys snowboarding and traveling to New York to pick up
any new steps. She is happily married to Derek and they have a fabulous daughter,
Brooke.
she started ice-skating with a career in mind. After learning how dance could help
her be a stronger skater, she hung up her skates for good. Therefore starting her
dance education with Picus Dance Academy. Kendra has studied with Stan and Heidi
Picus as well as Leanna Earlywine. She has competed locally as well as nationally.
Kendra has been in a number of productions, including “The Death & Life of
Sneaky Fitch”, “Chess”, and assisted in the choreography for many other
productions.
As much as she enjoys teaching and being a member of the Off Broadway Academy
of Dance family, she also enjoys snowboarding and traveling to New York to pick up
any new steps. She is happily married to Derek and they have a fabulous daughter,
Brooke.
ELDON KARTCHNER – has been performing since age 4. After 9 years of jazz
training and 13 year of tap with Maxine Huff in Arizona, he enjoyed performing with
and choreographing for local productions, the Eastern Arizona College Choraleers
and the Tucson University of Arizona Chorale. Eldon continued his study of voice
and dance at Brigham Young University where he traveled to Africa and Asia with
the BYU Ambassadors. Before receiving his Bachelors of Science in Psychology,
Eldon began studying and teaching Hip-Hop. In addition to being the proud husband
of Heather, he has been teaching at Off Broadway for four years and will soon
receive his Masters in Counseling Psychology.
training and 13 year of tap with Maxine Huff in Arizona, he enjoyed performing with
and choreographing for local productions, the Eastern Arizona College Choraleers
and the Tucson University of Arizona Chorale. Eldon continued his study of voice
and dance at Brigham Young University where he traveled to Africa and Asia with
the BYU Ambassadors. Before receiving his Bachelors of Science in Psychology,
Eldon began studying and teaching Hip-Hop. In addition to being the proud husband
of Heather, he has been teaching at Off Broadway for four years and will soon
receive his Masters in Counseling Psychology.
ELLEN KREUTZER is a native Coloradoan and has been a part of the dance
community in Denver all her life. She danced with the Denver Civic and Colorado
Ballet companies as a teen and continued her professional career performing with
the David Taylor Dance Theatre and Hannah Kahn Dance Company. She has also
appeared with the Colorado Repertory Dance Company and with the Colorado
Ballet. Ms. Kreutzer has been a teacher of dance for the past sixteen years and has
taught both ballet and modern dance extensively to all ages and populations. She has
been a faculty member of Off Broadway Academy of Dance for several years. Ms.
Kreutzer recently completed a master’s degree in social work and she has also
worked with children and families in educational and mental health settings.
community in Denver all her life. She danced with the Denver Civic and Colorado
Ballet companies as a teen and continued her professional career performing with
the David Taylor Dance Theatre and Hannah Kahn Dance Company. She has also
appeared with the Colorado Repertory Dance Company and with the Colorado
Ballet. Ms. Kreutzer has been a teacher of dance for the past sixteen years and has
taught both ballet and modern dance extensively to all ages and populations. She has
been a faculty member of Off Broadway Academy of Dance for several years. Ms.
Kreutzer recently completed a master’s degree in social work and she has also
worked with children and families in educational and mental health settings.
KRISTEN VAN STEDUM was born and raised in Colorado. She started dancing in
elementary school with Heidi Picus. After a hiatus from dance, Kristen started
dancing again at Calvin College in Michigan. She studied dance under the direction
of Ellen Van Hoft and voice under the direction of Dr. Henry Slenk. Kristen
returned to Picus Dance after college and then she later joined Off Broadway
Academy of Dance Senior Company. Kristen continues to study dance by going to
local conventions and taking classes in New York City. She works as a bilingual
kindergarten teacher for Denver Public Schools and enjoys teaching dance at Off
Broadway Academy of Dance.
elementary school with Heidi Picus. After a hiatus from dance, Kristen started
dancing again at Calvin College in Michigan. She studied dance under the direction
of Ellen Van Hoft and voice under the direction of Dr. Henry Slenk. Kristen
returned to Picus Dance after college and then she later joined Off Broadway
Academy of Dance Senior Company. Kristen continues to study dance by going to
local conventions and taking classes in New York City. She works as a bilingual
kindergarten teacher for Denver Public Schools and enjoys teaching dance at Off
Broadway Academy of Dance.
| FACULTY |
| 4401 South Tamarac Parkway #103 & #106 Denver, Colorado 80237 303-757-TAPS (8277) 303-694-8887 (Fax) obadtaps@yahoo.com |
CANDESS GIYAN is a dancer, choreographer and teacher out of Atlanta, Ga where
she co-founded and co-directed Zoetic Dance Ensemble of Atlanta, Georgia. Ms.
Giyan has performed nationally with several professional companies, such as David
Dorfman, Denver Contemporary Dance Theater, Kris Cangelosi Dance Project and
Gathering Wild Dance Company. As Co-Director of Zoetic Dance Ensemble,
Candess has developed educational programming for children and professionals,
created repertory pieces for consorts, and commercial events. As a choreographer,
Ms. Giyan has been commissioned by Spelman College, Kennesaw State University,
Turner Broadcast System (TBS), Dad's Garage Theater, and Theatrical Outfit, and
her work has been performed at a number of dance festivals including Midtown
Music Festival, Modern Atlanta Dance Festival and the Inman Park Festival.
Most recently, Ms. Giyan received her yoga certification at Kashi Atlanta through
the National Yoga Alliance, and was the recipient of an Individual Artist Grant from
the Office of Arts Culture and Entertainment in Atlanta Ga.
Currently Candess is performing and collaborating with Control Group, sharing a
residency with her sister at the Packing House Center for the Arts, and
choreographing, teaching, and performing with Ascential Dance.
Candess is excited to be a part of the teaching staff at Off Broadway Academy of
Dance.
she co-founded and co-directed Zoetic Dance Ensemble of Atlanta, Georgia. Ms.
Giyan has performed nationally with several professional companies, such as David
Dorfman, Denver Contemporary Dance Theater, Kris Cangelosi Dance Project and
Gathering Wild Dance Company. As Co-Director of Zoetic Dance Ensemble,
Candess has developed educational programming for children and professionals,
created repertory pieces for consorts, and commercial events. As a choreographer,
Ms. Giyan has been commissioned by Spelman College, Kennesaw State University,
Turner Broadcast System (TBS), Dad's Garage Theater, and Theatrical Outfit, and
her work has been performed at a number of dance festivals including Midtown
Music Festival, Modern Atlanta Dance Festival and the Inman Park Festival.
Most recently, Ms. Giyan received her yoga certification at Kashi Atlanta through
the National Yoga Alliance, and was the recipient of an Individual Artist Grant from
the Office of Arts Culture and Entertainment in Atlanta Ga.
Currently Candess is performing and collaborating with Control Group, sharing a
residency with her sister at the Packing House Center for the Arts, and
choreographing, teaching, and performing with Ascential Dance.
Candess is excited to be a part of the teaching staff at Off Broadway Academy of
Dance.
ABBI PHILLIPS has a B. A. from Mesa State College and is currently a member of
the Kim Robards Dance Company. She has studied with countless teachers
including Melonie Buchanan Murray, Matthew Lindstrom and Tony Coppola. Her
choreography credits include works for the American College Dance Festival, The
Aspen Dance Connection and numerous pieces for Mesa State College. Abbi brings a
new energy and focus to all of her students.
the Kim Robards Dance Company. She has studied with countless teachers
including Melonie Buchanan Murray, Matthew Lindstrom and Tony Coppola. Her
choreography credits include works for the American College Dance Festival, The
Aspen Dance Connection and numerous pieces for Mesa State College. Abbi brings a
new energy and focus to all of her students.