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Teachers
Annie Bell - Art
Annie Bell is a new addition to our Arts Center family. She will be
teaching several of our art classes for all skill levels. Annie
graduated from the University of Arts in Philadelphia with her BFA in
Photography. Annie also studied Communication Arts at Virginia
Commonwealth University. She owns and operates Bell Creative doing web
design, print and virtual advertising, marketing, and public relations
for her clients. She has also been a photography instructor for
Colorado Mountain College.
Weston Brownlee - Pottery
Weston is an emerging bronze sculptor, and 2009 graduate from Colorado College, whose work will debut at the 19th annual Loveland Sculpture Invitational this August. He may have a degree in English with an emphasis in Fiction Writing, and is an aspiring author, as well as a visual artist, but like any good CC student, his wild imagination and creativity are fueled and enriched by a vast and unusual array of interests—everything from playing the pipe organ, researching ghost stories and folklore in New Mexico, to being an ice hockey goalie. Weston studied bronze as an apprentice to distinguished sculptor James G. Moore and has had a passion for art of all kinds since he was very young. Both modern and ancient metalwork influence Weston's growing body of sculpture, which focuses on merging realism with unique design elements to create pieces that truly captivate one's attention—and like any good story, hold details and secrets a casual glance might neglect. His hope is to teach aspiring sculptors the fundamental techniques and methods which will enable them to manifest the distinct qualities of their own imaginations. Weston's classes this summer will focus on using ceramic clay to explore the tea kettle and masks as sculptural mediums, emphasizing the distinct process for sculpting and finishing such pieces.Christina Brusig - Jazz, Tap & Lyrical
Christina Brusig - Jazz, Hip Hop & Lyrical
Christina Brusig is the newest addition to our dance teaching staff,
and also serves as our Assistant Program Director. During her
childhood, she danced for 19 years. 7 of those years were spent right
here, at the Center for the Arts, doing advanced training. During her
younger years, she was trained at the Academy of Dance and Gymnastics
in Rifle, Colorado. This quaint studio is her alma matter, and the
first place she began teaching dance. Her dance teaching abilities sent
her all over the state of Colorado, creating dance programs in towns
where the arts were completely missing. She has now been teaching dance
for 9 years. When dancing at the Center for the Arts, Christina was
trained by some of our best instructors ever, and carries years of
exquisite technique and experience. Christina was a large part of our
Choreography and Repetory Project between 2002- 2004. Upon Graduation
from Rifle High School, in 2004, Christina adventured across the
country to Attend the University of Maine at Fort Kent. During college,
she formed a free public dance and strech program at the University,
and participated in dance classes at "Jazz it Up" Dance studio in Fort
Kent, Maine. She graduated Cum Lade, with a Bachelor of Science in
Business Management and Marketing, however, Dance is still Christina's
ultimate passion. She loves to do dancing of all types, but is keen on
teaching Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern and Ballet. Christina instills
technique, energy, stage presence, and team work into her classes. We
can truly say that she is a pleasure to watch preform, and that
Christina Brusig is our sweet, jumping, Jazzarina! Welcome home
Christina!
Judy Davis - Pottery
Nurture your inner potter with a
Wheel
Throwing class,
Hand
Building class, or a
Coil class. Sling some mud around and learn to throw a pot, not a tantrum,
with this easy-going teacher, Judy Davis. This teacher will really get
your wheels spinning. She puts a spin on everything and gets a glazed
look on her face at the mention of fire. With her talented hands fresh
from a mud treatment, she's always ready to roll (clay that is). She is
constantly adding new masterpieces to her display in the gallery and
tourists carry her pottery to points unknown across the globe. If you
want to nurture your inner potter, Judy Davis is the instructor to
consult. Judy has been teaching for us for 6 years and kids and adults
alike love her clay classes. She gets "All Fired Up" and shows kids how
to throw pots and glaze them beautifully. She is patient, quiet, and a
joy to be around. And she can bring out the "Clay Dog" in anyone! It's
never too late to take a class in pottery. She is a great addition to
the talented staff at the Center for the Arts. She is an awesome potter
in her own right and teaches all ages and all levels of proficiency.
You will learn easily from her straightforward style.
Holly Curcio - Pottery
Holly Curcio is our talented and newest member of the Art Center Team! She recently graduated from Arizona State University, with a Master of Fine Arts in ceramics. Beyond her constant scholarly behavior, Holly has been a teacher and assistant teacher for 3-D design, ceramics and much more since 1995. Hey qualifications are outstanding, not to mention, She has been the Artist in Residence at Anderson Ranch Art Center, Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts, and the Medocino Art Center. Holly is featured in many publications. Some of which include Surface Design for Ceramics featured in Lark Books, and also Ceramics Monthly, "The MFA Factor" in September of 2008. Holly's work is organic and beautiful. She captures simplicity and beauty through pottery and ceramics. Holly is a wonderful teacher and person, and we look forward to working with her.
Sandra Ursino-Gould - Belly Dance
Sandra Ursino Gould is a daughter of the beautiful country of Argentina. She has been studying dance in various disciplines for 39 years. Her achievements include earning the prestigious “Teaching Degree of Classical Ballet” at 16 and performing in a professional dance troupe for a famous Argentine entertainer, comedian and singer in the “Carlitos Bala Show”.
Sandra’s lifelong love of dance and music has allowed her to delve into the study of a wide variety of dance forms including Spanish dance (castanets, Zapateo, and other dances from different regions of Spain), Ukrainian dance, Italian Folk dance and American jazz & tap. In addition, she happily embraces an eclectic and mixed bag of dance styles such as break dancing, hip hop, reggae, Brazilian samba, salsa and Tahitian dance.
Sandra began studying belly dance 6 years ago and has since become a recognized teacher and performer of this sublime art. Her unique and alluring style reflects an authentic and rare capacity that expresses the essence and ‘soul’ of a dance. Her dance style blends an innate talent with hard
study from the masterful instruction of reputable and renowned Middle Eastern dance instructors from around the country. She has had the fortune to study under the tutelage of Eva Cernik, Natasha, Sadie, Tribal Tique, Urban Tribal, Kassar, Jenna Woods (zills), Zuzanna Del Vecchio, and Elizabeth Ostteen and Chris Chambers of Tribe Marrakech. She has also studied with the Bellydance Superstars; Petite Jamilla (double veil), Sonia, Zoe, Cami Liddle and Jillina, Phoenix and Souhail Kaspar.
Sandra has been working with drummer Brett Gould for a year and a half and recently married him. Brett has performed professionally for 31 years playing a drum kit, and he is been enjoying the new challenge of playing a Doumbek (Middle Eastern Drum). Brett’s knowledge of various modern grooves and learning middle eastern rhythms makes his sound very unique. Brett will join Sandra for her classes class twice a month. You will learn about Middle Eastern rythms and to dance
to live and exhillerating drum beats. We are very please Sandra has chosen to become part of the Arts Center's family of talented intructors.
Jennetta M. Howell - Theater
Jennetta grew up in Glenwood Springs and started with Defiance Theater when she was 8 yrs old. Favorite roles include: Rizzo, Dorothy and multiple Step Sisters. I had the pleasure of working on J.C. Superstar with Aspen Community Theater. Studied drama with Tom Cochran and Cris Aronson at C.M.C. and Jeannie Miller for voice. This moment led her to pursue her dream. Jennetta is a graduate from American Musical & Dramatic Academy in NYC. Studied dance with “Fame” Choreographer Jamie Rodgers, stepped into the Beverly Hills Playhouse for Musical Theater and more acting training with Gary Imhoff and found time to take vocal lessons for 15 years. Thanks to all my wonderful teachers! Credits include-Off B-way : A Musical Review, Terry in Sideman, Tours: Princess Cruise Lines, Los Angeles Theater: Cabaret, The Wiz, Into the Woods, Cinderella, Saucy Jack & the Space Vixens, Dolores in The Wild Party, Run for your Wife, Aspen Credits: The Crystal Palace and Mayzie in Seussical. TV: Cut to the Chase T.B.S., Dream Date AMC, How I met your Mother NBC. Film: Oh Baby and Nice Guys. Currently teaching for Glenwood Center for the Arts & Theatre Aspen’s summer camp and after school programs including, dance, dramatic voyages, and comedy/improv classes. Previous Directing credits include Defiance Communtiy Players Disney’s High School Musical and Wonderland for GSHS.
Jessica Kidd - Silversmithing
A gem of a personality, this teacher definitely shines as a
craftsperson and artist. She has been our full time
Silversmithing instructor for fours years and we love watching her students turn out
contemporary, original pieces... even after their first semester. Her
sense of humor is a wonderful asset as she teaches people to hammer,
cut, melt, polish, and twist silver into amazing creations. Jessica's
own extensive body of work has a whimsical quality, as her jewelry
features pleated silver, winding into graceful curves and coils. Her
designs are stunning. Stop by and see instructor Jessica Kidd's work in
the Art Center's gift shop or take a class and make all your own silver
jewelry.
Alex Loter - Ballet, Tap & Jazz
Alex recently graduated from highschool, and is a member of our Senior
Dance Company. To describe Alex, is to describe grace, poise and
beauty. She is the quintessential ballerina, but also loves tap, jazz
and modern. She is teaching our intermediate ballet and tap students.
She loves to choreograph and is excited about the pieces she is putting
together for Dancers Dancing. Alex was trained at the Academy of Dance
and Gymnastics in Rifle, Colorado, from a very young age. She has
trained extensively, and became a teacher at the Academy of Dance and
Gymnastics prior to becoming a teacher at the Center for the Arts. She
currently is studying Dance at Mesa State College, and we have a
feeling that Alex will find great success in a dance career. Keep an
eye on her, she is a beautiful shining star!
Susan A. Mount - Tap & Jazz
Susan is our new Tap instructor. She is bubbly and energetic. She has a vast knowlege in all forms of dance, however tap is her passion. She has been in the Roring Fork Valley for several years studying for a license in Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Dance Therapy. She has worked with various populations using Movement to enhance, explore and express the human connection to one's own body. She descrivbes movement as our most organic form of expression. She studied dance throughout her college career and at the Graduate School at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. WE are very pleased to have her as part of our growning dance staff.
Terry Muldoon - Art
Terry heads our Art Department. She is an excellent, popular and talented teacher. Terry is also one of our "Wild Women". She loves working with
our budding and advanced students, teaching them sophisticated concepts of form and color. Terry
takes them on a creative journey, not only instructing her pupils
about the different forms of art, but also giving them glimpses into
the lives of artists who popularized the many styles of art. She is
bright, whimsical, and a joy. She has captured the hearts of her students. When she is not
creating or teaching art, Terry is a lab nurse at Glenwood Medical
Associates. Her soft touch serves her well in that profession too!
Maurine Taufer - Dance Program Director - Modern and Company
Maurine taught, directed and choreographed in a variety of dance
programs for 22 years. Maurine moved to Glenwood Springs in 1981, and
taught dance and fitness classes for 15 years at Colorado Mountain
College, where she was recognized for her teaching, and at the Glenwood
Springs Center for the Arts, working with students ages 2 to 70. She
directed and choreographed for numerous dance performances locally, and
her dance students have performed in school presentations; at the
Wheeler Opera House; at the Denver Children's Museum; at the "Dance and
the Child International Conference." Maurine was a founding board
member of the Glenwood Springs Arts Council, a board member of the
Glenwood Springs Dance Festival, and she was one of the directors who
created the annual spring production
Dancers
Dancing. Her training in children's dance is from the teacher
training program at the Children's Dance Theatre at the University of
Utah. After a few years away from teaching dance, Maurine is pleased to
again offer dance classes at the Center for the Arts. She teaches dance
for confidence, flexibility, agility and body awareness, while
experiencing the joy of dance as a means of self expression. She loves
to mix ages of performers to enhance her choreography. She brings a
fresh approach to the world of dance and choreography.
Brad Vierheller - Piano, Voice
Brad Vierheller is also a new addition to the Arts Center family and
will be teaching our vocal and piano classes. Brad graduated from Adams
State College with his B.A. of Arts with a secondary degree in Vocal
Music Education. Vocal music has always been a passion of his. Brad has
taught private voice lessons, as well as choir classes throughout
Colorado, and holds a teacher's license from the state of Colorado. He
was a member of the All-State Choir in Colorado his senior year of high
school. He has performed with the Pueblo Symphony, the Denver Symphony,
Symphony in the Valley, and the Aspen Choral Society. Brad is also an
accomplished piano player and a wonderful teacher!