THE SCHOOL OF ASPEN SANTA FE BALLET ASPEN FACULTY
Melanie Doskocil, School Director
Melanie directs the School of the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet and teaches the Advanced Divisions from Level 1A through Level 5. She brings over 20 years of professional dance and teaching experience to the students of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. Ms Doskocil danced professionally with ballet companies such as the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, the Oakland Ballet Company, Ballet Arizona and Nevada Ballet Theatre. She continued her career transitioning into contemporary and modern dance with Odyssey, in Utah, A. Ludwig Dance Theatre in Arizona and the internationally acclaimed Mia Micheal's R.A.W. Ms. Doskocil began teaching in 1995, for the City Ballet of San Diego, under the direction of Steven and Elizabeth Wistrich. She continued her professional dance career while teaching at the nationally recognized Center Stage Performing Arts Studios in Utah, where she created a pre-professional ballet program that she directed. Melanie is thrilled to now call Aspen her home and cherishes every moment she spends teaching the students of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet.
Charlotte Bowlby, Children's Ballet
Charlotte Bowlby has taught dance in the Roaring Fork Valley since 1979 and has a natural rapport with young children. She loves working with very young dance students, and she takes great pride in the progress they make not only in dance but in their ability to participate in a group and follow directions. Her dance training spans over 25 years with extensive study in the Royal Academy Syllabus, including four years in a teacher's apprenticeship program. She is also trained in the National Dance Institute Syllabus created by Jacque d'Amboise. Ms. Bowlby has been teaching with the School of the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet since its inception.
Adrianna Thompson, Modern
Adrianna Thompson danced professionally in New York City and toured internationally for 13 years. She has worked with Bella Lewitsky, Milton Myers, Jonathan Wolken, and numerous dance companies including 8 years with Battery Dance Co. Adrianna has taught Master Classes around the world and has been a guest teacher with Lincoln Center for NYC Public Schools, the Harvard Summer Dance Project, and many others. She is a GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Master Instructor and conducts teacher trainings internationally. She is Co-founder of Aspen Gyrotonic and teaches Gyrotonic at The Art of Fitness in Aspen. She is the founder of Meftas Dance Theatre and her choreography has been presented throughout NYC (including Joyce SoHo), at the Wheeler Opera House and in 2005 she choreographed Smokey Joe’s Café for Theatre Aspen.
Eric Chase, Jazz
Eric has spent the last 12 years as a professional dancer working with Milwaukee Ballet II, Hubbard Street 2, and Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. Throughout his career he has had the opportunity to work with influential choreographers, directors, and artists. He has taught dance with each of these companies and multiple dance schools across the country. Eric has also choreographed for the Aspen Community Theatre, Dancers Responding to Aids (DRA) and Aspen Santa Fe Ballet School.
Brooke Klinger, Ballet
Brooke Klinger was a founding member of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet and danced with the company for 12 years. Born in Hawaii and raised in North Idaho, Brooke trained with Ceci Klein before attending University of Utah on scholarship and training with Bene Arnold and Sharee Lane. She won a National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts award and holds a B.A. in Humanities. In addition to teaching dance, Brooke is currently pursuing a career in Nursing.