Kelly Walker
School Director
Kelly Sneddon Walker, originally from Baltimore, MD, began her dance training under the guidance of her mother, Susan Joines. She continued her studies at the North Carolina School of the Arts, where she trained with Brenda Daniels under Dean Ethan Stiefel, and performed in Elizabeth Parkinson’s excerpt of West Side Story. She later attended Towson University, studying under Runqiao Du and Catherine Horta-Hayden. Kelly went on to train year-round at The Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, where she performed with the Joffrey Ballet School Touring Company, danced in Gelsey Kirkland’s The Nutcracker, and studied with Brian McSween, Era Jouravlev, Davis Robertson, and Nicole Duffy. Her early talent was recognized with honors such as Maryland Distinguished Scholar for Dance and Ballet Finalist by the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts.
Kelly danced professionally for many years with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, working closely with Dwight Rhoden, Desmond Richardson, and Jae Man Joo. With Complexions, she performed in numerous world premieres and toured internationally throughout Europe and Asia. She later joined Cirque du Soleil’s The Beatles LOVE as a soloist, stationed in Las Vegas. Early in her professional career, Kelly was named a Capezio Athlete and has graced the pages of esteemed publications, including The New York Times, Dance Magazine, and Dance Informa Magazine. She has performed at prestigious events including the Dance Open International Ballet Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia, the Fire Island Dance Festival, the USA International Ballet Competition Gala, the Laguna Dance Festival, the Chautauqua Institution Gala, and CityDance DREAMscape Gala.
Currently, Kelly holds the position of School Director of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, where she works closely with Executive Director Jean-Philippe Malaty and Artistic Director Tom Mossbrucker. In this role, she is responsible for maintaining and developing the school’s curriculum, managing faculty, guiding student progression, mentoring pre-professional dancers, and leading the staging of both the annual production of The Nutcracker and the spring performance. A committed educator and mentor, she serves as an adjudicator for national dance competitions, teaches as a guest artist across the United States, and has been recognized for her choreography at national dance competitions. She continues her affiliation with Complexions as a member of the company’s Academy Guest Faculty.
Beyond her dance career, Kelly is a certified Integrative Health Coach and holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Maryland, Global Campus. She brings a wellness-focused approach to both her teaching and creative work, blending her passion for movement with a commitment to holistic well-being.
Melanie Doskocil
Faculty
Melanie 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.
Laurel Dye
Faculty
Born in the Roaring Fork Valley, Laurel grew up studying dance with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. Now, as a faculty member, she shares her passion for dance with her students. An avid lover of dance and musical theater, Laurel has choreographed and performed in over 30 productions.
Candace Sipsey
Faculty
Candace is originally from Barre, Vermont where she began dancing at age 3. She earned her B.A. in dance from Dean College in 2007. Candace moved to Aspen in 2008 where she lives with her husband and young daughter. She finds great joy in continuing her own dance education and is thrilled to work with students to develop strong dance technique. Outside of dancing Candace enjoys spending time outdoors with her family.