Meet the Board
Our Board of Directors is composed of community members with a strong commitment to promoting dance in Steamboat Springs and surrounding areas.
Staff
Kristen Jespersen
Executive Director
Board Member since 2012
Kristen became the Executive Director in 2018 and was previously the Board President of Steamboat Dance Theatre (SDT) since the Summer 2011, first as a board member and now as the President. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area Kristen loved dance at a young age. However she didn’t start seriously taking dance classes until high school. Since that time she has danced Jazz, Modern and African among other forms. Kristen learned about SDT through the annual concert, which she first attended when she moved to Steamboat Springs in 2010. Since then Kristen has performed in two SDT concerts and loves to dance with the African Troupe here in Steamboat. She is excited to serve as the President of SDT and use her professional experience in grant-writing, planning, and non-profit management to help further the mission of the organization. Kristen is married and has a dog.
Board
Elisabeth Salzgeber
President
Board Member since 2016
Elisabeth was born and raised in Steamboat Springs, and while never professionally trained in the art of dance, has always had a strong passion for it. After moving back from college in 2008 she became involved with Steamboat Dance Theatre as a dancer, and eventually as a board member. In 2012, she moved to Portland, OR to pursue a Master’s in Conflict Resolution. Now finished with graduate school, Elisabeth is excited to be back in Steamboat and to apply her new skills toward the continued growth of Steamboat Dance Theatre.
Jess LeBlanc
Vice-President
Board Member since 2020
Jessica grew up near Atlanta and began dancing at a young age. Ballet was her passion until high school when her focus shifted to team sports. After the completion of her Masters in Education in 2006, she traveled to India where she rekindled her love of dance. As part of her graduate work, she developed circle dances and various types of movement with children. Jessica continues to dance with children in her Montessori classroom. She also teaches Bitty Ballet at Elevation Dance Studio.
She started dancing in the Steamboat Dance Theater Annual Concert in 2016. Jessica was also a company dancer in the first year of the forty106 Dance Project. She looks forward to bringing these experiences, combined with her own love of dance to help bring more dance and movement to our community in the years to come.
Kelsey Harkins
Treasurer
Board Member since 2017
Kelsey has lived in Steamboat Springs since 2009, and it was only a year after moving here that she found Steamboat Dance Theatre. Throughout the last 10 years, Kelsey has been a member of Steamboat Dance Theatre as a dancer, a board member, and is currently serving as the Treasurer for the organization. SDT has been such an amazing way to stay connected to the local dance community for Kelsey, and over the years, she’s made wonderful friendships and connections within the program. Professionally, Kelsey is the Director of Marketing for Steamboat Sotheby’s International Realty. When she’s not hard at work, she enjoys spending plenty of time with friends, skiing, hiking, fishing, and camping with her husband, Chad, and their two dogs.
Stephanie Juneau
Secretary, Board Member Since 2020
Stephanie moved to Steamboat Springs in 2017 and became a member of the Steamboat Dance Theater in 2019. After performing in the SDT Annual Concert in 2020, she was inspired to join the Board of Directors. She loves the community created and cultivated by dance, and is proud to be a part of this thriving organization of talented individuals. With a degree in Economics from DePauw University, Stephanie is the Finance Controller for the City of Steamboat Springs.
Krista Colby
Board Member, Since 2011, Former Vice President 2012-2015
Krista grew up as an Air Force dependent and moved around quite a bit while she was growing up, including 2 years in Iceland and 8 months in Spain. She is originally from Lake Placid, NY but now considers Steamboat Springs her home. She has a Bachelor of Science from the University of West Florida in Sports Science. She has lived in Steamboat Springs now for 20 years, and loves everything this town has to offer. She is a Litigation Specialist/Paralegal at Eddington Law Firm, LLC. She is a member of Jasmir Bellydance Troupe and loves dancing, snowmobiling, hiking, skiing, camping, biking and traveling.
She loves being a member of the Steamboat Dance Theater and has have met some of the most intelligent, fun and creative people through this organization. Her closest friends were formed as a result of joining the dance community in Steamboat Springs. She did not grow up dancing, but got started by taking classes at Elevation Dance Studio and through Dance Works. She loves learning from the exceptionally talented teachers in this community and looks forward to the annual dance show every year as an opportunity to meet new people, from all facets of life, during the rehearsal process. She feels it is a privilege each Winter to be a part of something where you get to see the results of the many talented choreographers’ creativity and hard work come to life on stage!!
Jessica Whalen
Board Member since 2021
Coming from Central Pennsylvania in her early twenties, Jessica landed in Steamboat in 2013 after graduating from South Hills School of Business & Technology, a small school just off of Penn State’s campus. Steamboat Dance Theatre came into Jessica’s life in 2015 where she quickly met a diverse, energetic group of people that became lifelong friends. In addition to SDT, she is committed to her professional career with The Paoli Group at Colorado Group Realty where marketing and graphic design are her strong suits. In her free time, Jessica enjoys a good happy hour with friends & colleagues, volleyball, wake surfing & snowboarding.
Alisha Repollo
Board Member since 2022
Alisha moved to Steamboat Springs in 2000 with her family from the Hawaiian Islands. Growing up here she danced in the High School Dance Showcase, where her love for dance started. She found herself country dancing with friends and local peers at the Steamboat Stomp every Tuesday night.
Currently, you will find her working at Rumor Design a local interior design firm. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from Colorado Mountain College. After dancing in the production off and on for 10 years and choreographing a country piece in the 2016 show, she is excited to be a part of the board!
Irene Alicot
Board Member since 2022
Irene Alicot was born and raised in Miami, Florida, to Cuban parents. As most people who know her are aware, she is VERY proud of her Cuban heritage. She grew up dancing salsa, merengue, bachata, and a variety of other Latin dances informally at family gatherings. She dabbled in jazz and tap during her younger years before settling on cheerleading for the majority of her middle and high school career. Irene moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, in 2004 to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. There she experimented with tango and became a part of the thriving dance community that exists there. She then moved to Steamboat in 2007 and started a job as a Spanish teacher at Steamboat Springs High School, where she has taught thousands of “eager” students ever since. She also met her husband, Garrett Branson, there, and the two of them comprise half of the Spanish department at the school. Irene and Garrett have two children who attend Strawberry Park Elementary, and yes, the kids DO speak Spanish. Irene has thoroughly enjoyed being a part of Steamboat Dance Theatre and is grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Board.