These are the well-trained teachers for all our public dance classes: current company dancers, plus our Rehearsal Director/Edcuation Coordinator Liberty Harris. Each of them not only is in the DK rehearsal studio during the weekdays and teaches DK public classes in the evenings and on weekends, but they also teach at other dance schools in the Indianapolis area.
Aleksa Coffey (company dancer) originally from Novi, Michigan began her serious dance training at Geiger Classical Ballet Academy. She continued her studies at Butler University where she graduated in 2011 with honors and a BFA in Dance Performance. Aleksa’s training also includes summer intensives such as Hubbard Street and a two month study abroad trip to Lithuania. She also has a passion for teaching and loves educating the next generation of dancers through DK Kids. Aleksa would like to thank her family and her husband for their love and support, and she would also like to thank David for the wonderful opportunity he has given her. Our 2020-21 season is Aleksa’s 10th with the company.
Jillian Godwin began dance training in Indianapolis at Dance Magic Performing Arts Center and graduated from Broad Ripple High School, Center for the Performing and Visual Arts. She has also trained at Chautauqua Institution School of Dance in Chautauqua, New York, and American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive in Detroit. Jillian attended River North Chicago Dance Company’s summer intensive in 2010 and 2012, where she was accepted on scholarship. She trained with Frank Chavez, Sara Bibik, and Laura Wade. Most recently, she was named one of Indy’s top ten most intriguing artists in 2012. She also had the honor of sharing the stage with Michael Feinstein, Liza Minnelli, and Rita Moreno at the 2013 Encore Awards Celebration held at the Palladium. She has also spent time at the Graham School in NYC in 2015 and 2016 on scholarship during their winter intensives. Jillian’s mother Donna, even in spirit, continues to feed her drive and passion for art, as well as her father Gregory, the DK family and David H. Jillian retired from being a company member in October, 2020 after 17 years with DK.
Liberty Harris (Rehearsal Director/Education Coordinator) was a DK dancer for fifteen years. In that time she realized her passion and gift for teaching DK repertory, and for leading DK education programs. In her current position, she is in the Dance Kaleidoscope Studios at CCIC with the company each day teaching and coaching the dancers as they rehearse. Liberty also helps shape and run DK’s education outreach programs, and the DK Kids public dance classes. Liberty is thankful for this position to help take DK to new heights and to share her passion for dance with younger generations.
Paige Robinson (company dancer) grew up dancing in the Chicago area, studying primarily at Dance Center Evanston, Chicago Ballet Arts, and Giordano Dance Center. She was a scholarship dancer at Lou Conte Dance Studio under Claire Bataille in 2013. Following high school, Paige spent two years in Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s Graduate Program. She then performed and toured with Eugene Ballet Company under Toni Pimble’s direction. While living in Oregon she also danced with Polaris Dance Theatre in Portland, OR and participated in Northwest Dance Project’s LAUNCH: 10 project, working under Sarah Slipper and Lucas Crandall. Other training includes Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet, and The Martha Graham School. Our 2020-21 season is Paige’s 6th year with DK.
Missy Thompson (company dancer) began her training at age three with gymnastics, continuing for thirteen years as a competitive gymnast. She also studied modern dance, ballet, and jazz at Rhythm Nations Studio in Euless, TX. Missy is a graduate of the Indiana University Modern Dance program and has attended the Martha Graham summer Dance intensive in New York. Through colorguard, she has performed with top organizations such as the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps and Zydeco Color Guard. Missy has also choreographed movement and dance for the marching field for many programs in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Indiana, and a Junior Corps in Quiberon, France. She is proud to be a teacher for The DK kids program. Our 2020-21 season is Missy’s 8th with the company.
Manuel Valdes (company dancer) began gymnastics training at the age of five in Dallas, TX and continued as a competitive gymnast for 12 years. He began dancing at Dallas Black Dance Theater and went on to receive his BFA of Modern Dance Performance from the University of Oklahoma under the direction of Austin Hartel and Roxanne Lyst. While performing with Contemporary Dance Oklahoma, he not only had the pleasure of performing works by his professors, but also Ilya Kozadayev, Sonia Dawkins, Raimondo Rebeck, Jose Limón, and Alvin Ailey. Manuel has attended intensives with Paul Taylor American Dance Theater, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, BODYTRAFFIC and SALT. He is forever grateful for all the love and support from friends and family. Our 2020-21 season is Manuel’s 4th year with DK.
