Instuctors
Kelly Monahon
Director, Instructor: Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, Pointe, & Alpine Vibes. Kelly grew up in Westchester, New York and trained for fifteen years at the Country Academy of Dance under the caring tutelage of Linda Duci, where she had the fortunate opportunity to study under such ballet giants as Bart Cooke and Maria Calegari from the New York City Ballet. During her youth Kelly was a member of the Linda Duci Dance Ensemble and completed additional training at Broadway Dance Center, The Alvin Ailey School and Steps on Broadway. Kelly graduated from Boston University in 2004 with degrees in Classical Civilization, Advertising and Statistics and while studying at Boston University Kelly taught Ballet and Jazz Funk as a member of the Boston University Dance Faculty. In addition to performing in University and Boston Area Companies, Kelly was also a member of "Fusion," a cultural outreach company that traveled around Boston performing and instructing underprivileged youth in Jazz and Hip Hop. Kelly taught dance for over 10 years at various Studios, Summer Arts Programs, Theatres and Universities in the New York and Boston Areas. Since moving to Colorado in 2004, Kelly has taught at Eagle Dance Academy in Eagle, Vail & Gypsum, The Art of Dance in Breckenridge and Rocky Mountain Dance Academy in Frisco. She founded The Summit Dance Fund in 2008 to help provide scholarships for Summit County students to further their dance education and regularly chaperones students to programs in Denver and New York City. In 2009 Kelly opened Alpine Dance Academy in Frisco, and founded the Alpine Vibes Competitive Dance Company. Throughout her tenure in Summit County, Kelly has also choreographed numerous shows for the Backstage Theatre including The Fantasticks and The Music Man.
Sara Skinner
Instructor: Jazz, Tap, Acro, & Alpine Vibes. Sara grew up in Weatherly, PA where she began her dance career training and competing with Faberge Follies Dance and Tumble. She has been dancing for 20 years, and teaching for 8 and loves every moment spent dancing. Sara is a recent graduate from the University of Idaho where she received a BS in Recreation. While at the University, Sara performed with UI’s dance ensemble, and was a member of UI faculty teaching tap and many community events and workshops. She performed with Walt Disney Entertainment in Orlando, FL in 2009. Sara is well versed in tap, jazz, ballet, acrobatics, and Polynesian dance.
Abbey Austin
Instructor: Musical Theater, Tap, Jazz, Voice, & ACT Director. Abbey Austin is a Tennessee native who relocated to Summit County from New York City, where she was living as an actress/ singer/ dancer. Abbey grew up in a dance studio. Her family owns one of the largest in the state of Tennessee and feels more at home in the studio then anywhere else! When Abbey entered into high school, she was given the opportunity to dance in her first musical and she fell in love. Abbey is a recent graduate of Shenandoah Conservatory with a BFA in Musical Theatre with and emphasis in dance. Some of her past favorite roles include Legally Blonde the Musical (Elle), Anything Goes (Charity), Curtains (Nikki Harris), Grease (Sandy), and The Boyfriend (Maisie). She has also started choreographing at the Breckenridge Backstage Theatre, most recently she choreographed Spamalot. Abbey loves teaching and hopes to spread a love and understanding of dance. She hopes that all of her students take away enjoyment, excitement, and discipline from dance into their daily and future lives. Visit Abbey's website at www.abbeyaustin.com to find out more!
Annie Flaherty
Instructor: Modern, Ballet, Pointe, & Hip Hop. Annie Flaherty, a native of Buffalo Grove, Illinois, began dancing at age 11 with the Bonnie Lindholm School of Dance and continued at the Lincolnshire Academy of Dance. As a graduate of Stevenson High School, Annie was very active in the SHS dance department, performing with the Melange and Concert dance companies, as well as frequently choreographing work for the semi-annual concerts. Through SHS dance, she worked with many guest choreographers such as Frank Chavez, Ken Gash, Eddy Ocampo, Randy Duncan, and Nick Pupillo. Her training continued at the University of Illinois where she graduated with a BFA in dance. While at U of I, Annie was one of the youngest members of the Mark Morris Shadow Program, a program that gives students the opportunity to train and rehearse with members of the prestigious company. She performed in works by Trisha Brown and T Lang as well as various faculty members and graduate students. Annie is beyond excited to be a part of ADA and share her passion for dance with the students.
Denise Moser
Instructor: Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, & Modern. Denise is a native of Easton, PA who earned a BA in dance from De Sales University, Center Valley, PA and studied and performed at the University of the Arts, in Philadelphia, PA. She was certified to teach through Dance Masters of America in NYC. Continued studies at Broadway Dance Center, NYC Dance Alliance, NUVO Conventions, and numerous master classes have given her a unique style. Her most inspiring teachers have been E. Laura Hausmann, LaVaughn Robinson, a true “Tap Master”, and the late Alexi Ramov who she studied with as a company dancer with the Lehigh Valley Ballet Guild, in Bethlehem, PA. Denise has been Ballet Instructor and also Choreographer for the theater program at Lafayette College in Easton, PA, and taught and choreographed jazz and modern for the Lehigh University dance group, Bethlehem PA. For 18 years Denise was the Founder/Director of "Art of Dance" first located in Bethlehem, PA, then in Breckenridge, CO, and later in Wilmington, NC. She has choreographed several shows for The Breckenridge Backstage Theatre, and worked with various Summit County studios. Most recently Denise taught at the Art Underground in Louisville, CO, where she formed the "Art of Dance Performance Company." Denise is thrilled to join the talented staff at ADA!
Kayla Rose Eikenberry
Instructor: Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, & Modern. Kayla started dancing at age 3 in Charlotte, NC with Charlotte School of Ballet. As dance got more serious for Kayla she would attend Ballet Met summer intensives studying under Susan Dromisky and Amber Emory-Maier. Kayla was also apart of her middle school and high school dance team. In her senior year of high school she was chosen to be Dance Captain of the team while also being elected most talented by the entire school. Since Kayla was a little girl she knew dance was going to be her life. After gradating high school she moved to Los Angeles, CA to pursue her career in dance. While living in LA she studied at American Musical Dramatic Academy under some of the top choreographers and dancers in LA. Donyelle Jones from SYTYCD, Marina Benedict from TV series Flesh and Bone, and Genevieve Carson the Artistic Director of LA Contemporary Dance Company were just 3 of her mentors. In 2014 Kayla graduated from AMDA with her BFA in Dance Theater while also signing with Bloc Talent Agency in Los Angeles. She has performed in many gigs and music videos all over LA. Kayla then booked a job dancing professionally for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. After traveling to many different countries Kayla is now craving her own home. She is overwhelmed with excitement to share her love and passion for dance with all of you in this beautiful mountain town.
Desk Managers
Sindell Perez-Fuentes
Sindell was born in Glendale, California and moved to Colorado when she was 5 years old. She has been dancing ever since! Sindell has been a member of the Alpine Vibes competative dance team for 4 years, and studies all disciplines of dance. Sindell is bilingual, speaking both Spanish and Enligsh and would like to pursue a career in Criminology. Sindell is excited to join the ADA staff this year and is looking forward to helping both parents and students as the Desk Manager.
Heidi Roy
Heidi has been a "dance mom" for many years. Her daughters, Kaelin and Olivia, both began dancing at age 3. Heidi's Irish family roots spurred Kaelin and Olivia's love of Irish Step Dancing and both girls earned dresses with the Celtic Steps Dance Academy before joining the Alpine Vibes competative dance company. Heidi worked for 26 years as the general manager of Retco Inc. ans is excited to join the ADA staff this year! We are thrilled to have a mom on hand!
Assistants
Meaghan Flannagan
Meaghan is a Junior at Summit High School and has been dancing since she was 5 years old. Dance runs in Meaghan's family, her mom was a dancer and Meaghan feels she has been raised with dance in her blood. She was born in Colorado Springs and moved to Summit when she was 6 years old.