The Movement Dance Co. - Our Ensemble

Ensemble

Julia (Photo by Wendy Turner Photography ©The Movement Dance Co.)
Julia Welch

Julia Welch comes to us with a joy for dance and a joy for the Lord. Julia has been a trained dancer from the age of four. She was a Golden Girl at the University of Missouri-Columbia, a Kansas City Chief’s Cheerleader, and danced for the Colorado Mammoth Lacrosse team. She has also received several dance-achievement awards over her 20+ year career.

Julia embraces the mission of The Movement Dance Co. and knows her family and friends do too. Julia currently teaches Montessori education to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade students in Denver, CO. She is also finishing her Master’s in Nonprofit Management at Regis University.

Michelle (Photo by Wendy Turner Photography ©The Movement Dance Co.)
Michelle Ballard

Michelle Ballard has been dancing since she was five years old, realizing at an early age that she had a true passion for dance. She has been trained in ballet, lyrical, jazz, modern, hip-hop, and poms. She has been teaching for Aurora Dance Arts for eight years, with student ages from four to about eighteen. In 1999, Michelle danced professionally with the Blue Moon Dance Company in Boulder, CO. This is her second year dancing with The Movement Dance Co.

Michelle is a single mother of a handsome, rambunctious, two-and-a-half year old little boy named James Daniel, JD for short. She teaches dance in the evenings, and works at the front desk of a recreation center during the day. The Movement to Michelle means moving forward in life, and always trying to stay positive. "I always trust in the lord and put him first, and then things seem to fall in place." Dance has always been a way for Michelle to express her emotions, and she is so grateful to have the opportunity to work with this wonderful dance company.

Susanne (Photo by Wendy Turner Photography ©The Movement Dance Co.)
Susanne Keiler

From a young age Susanne has had a passion for dance. She was trained in ballet at various schools in Denver and Colorado Springs. She has been privileged to teach ballet to teens and adults, and loves to spread her enthusiasm for dancing to others. Recently introduced to the style of lyrical dance, she enjoys the freedom of movement and expression that it extends. Susanne encourages others to experience the empowering, soul-nurturing benefits of dance. She wants to show others that nothing can hold you back from living your passion when God is behind you.

Susanne resides in Castle Rock with her husband Mike and their three lovely daughters Naomi, Eliza and Tabitha.

Jamie (Photo by Wendy Turner Photography ©The Movement Dance Co.)
Jamie G. Smith

Jamie G. Smith began dancing at the age of four, and has over 20 years experience in jazz, ballet, hip hop, and modern. She majored in dance at the University of Idaho and was apart of their cheer and dance squad. She is currently an aerobics instructor and enjoys presenting at fitness workshops and conferences.

Jamie lives in Castle Rock with her husband, Jamey and 3 children Jackson, Brooklynn and Cole. By becoming apart of The Movement Dance Company Jamie is following her lifelong dream and passion to dance. Her desire is to radiate the splendor of Jesus Christ through all she does with dance and in life and to help other women find the radiance and fullness that they were created for.

Tiffany (Photo by Wendy Turner Photography ©The Movement Dance Co.) Tiffany Grams

Tiffany Grams began dancing at the age of three in Arvada, CO. She has been trained in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical and poms as she danced through high school. Tiffany has had the opportunity to teach tap, choreograph and participate in a high school musical and be part of a worship dance team in Fort Collins, CO.

Tiffany currently lives in Castle Rock. Being a part of The Movement Dance Co. is the beginning of a full circle in her life. Her desire is to let the beauty of the Lord shine through her dancing and to help women know how precious and valuable they are.

Jill Abbotts

Jill has been dancing for over twenty years. The value of the qualities that dance instilled in her as a child motivated her desire to teach dance and musical theatre for the past ten years. She started her training here in Colorado, and continued to pursue her training at The University of the Arts in Pennsylvania, focusing on musical theatre and dance education. She traveled around the world performing and studying with many companies and choreographers. Jill returned to Colorado to start a family and to be close to hers. Now, with a four year old daughter, Jill is so excited to have the opportunity to teach and perform with a goal of instilling in others grace, inner beauty, confidence in their creativity, and self discipline. Being a part of the Movement Dance Co. has truly been an answer to prayer and a blessing.

Apprentices

Jordan Harper has been dancing for only two years, but has fallen in love with every element of dancing. Jordan began dancing when she was on Varsity Poms her sophomore year of High School. Since then, she has been dancing at Joanne's and has helped choreograph two school plays. She hopes that her dancing will keep expanding and open up new doors in the Dance world. Jordan is currently a Junior at Castle View High School and lives in Castle Rock with her awesome family!

Jordan is proud to be an apprentice for The Movement Dance Co. She is very glad to be a part of such a strong bond of women, sharing in their passion for Dance! Jordan hopes to continue her career with The Movement Dance Co., and to fulfill her aspiration of becoming an Ensemble Dancer.

Lauren began dancing at age four in California. After moving to Littleton, CO and taking a long break from dancing, Lauren rediscovered her passion for dance two years ago. She began taking tap, ballet and jazz. She has performed in several shows and has competed with an award winning tap ensemble. While tap is her passion she has discovered a desire to learn a variety of styles of dance. Through the passion of the ladies in the Company she hopes to expand her knowledge of dance.

Lauren lives in Littleton with her family, and enjoys volunteering for a non-profit cycling club as well several other organizations. After graduating from the University of Northern Colorado with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and earning her EMT certificate, she is anxiously awaiting her acceptance letter to Physician Assistant School to earn her Master’s degree and practice medicine.