The Movement Experience

Over the past year, Steamboat Dance Theatre has developed this program in response to increasing mental health challenges within our community. We believe that expanding one’s movement repertoire can boost confidence and equip individuals with tools to navigate life’s obstacles.

Our Movement Guides have undergone 14 hours of specialized training with Hillary Sinn, a licensed professional counselor in Colorado and a registered dance/movement therapist with American Dance Therapy Association. She’s also a founding member of the Colorado Resiliency Arts Lab (C.O.R.A.L) at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus studying the impact of creative arts on psychological distress. Hillary has played a pivotal role in developing dance/movement therapy interventions, bringing a wealth of experience to this program.

Please note that our Movement Experience is not a substitute for traditional therapy nor is it “Dance Therapy.”

What is The Movement Experience?

Steamboat Dance Theatre is proud to introduce Dance Vitality: The Movement Experience, a program designed to support mental health through guided movement. Recognizing the rising mental health concerns in our community, we’ve developed this initiative to offer an additional resource for well-being.

Dance Vitality: The Movement Experience is a series of community classes and personalized one-on-one sessions led by our trained Movement Guides. These sessions utilize therapeutic movement techniques to help individuals reconnect with their bodies, express emotions, and build resilience.

Why Movement Matters

Engaging in movement offers numerous mental health benefits:

  • Reduces Stress and Anxiety: Physical activity can lower cortisol levels and release endorphins, promoting relaxation.
    en.wikipedia.org
  • Enhances Emotional Expression: Movement provides a non-verbal outlet to express and process emotions, especially when words are insufficient.
  • Improves Mood and Self-Esteem: Regular physical activity has been linked to elevated mood and increased self-confidence.
    EatingWell
  • Supports Mindfulness and Presence: Engaging in movement encourages a deeper connection between mind and body, fostering mindfulness.

By participating in Dance Vitality: The Movement Experience, individuals can explore these benefits in a supportive and creative environment.

Guide Biographies

Brooke loves movement of all kinds! She started her dance journey here in her hometown of Steamboat Springs at the wee age of 3. As she danced her way through childhood she explored all types of movement from ballet to jazz, African, hip hop, and modern. She loved dance so much she went on to study it at the University of Oregon. After school her studies and interest in big city life took her to San Francisco. During her time in the Bay Area she had the pleasure of dancing with Bandaloop, a world renowned aerial dance company. She traveled on and off with them dancing off buildings and other site specific spaces, pushing her adrenaline and her ability to defy gravity.

After a long hiatus away from the dance world, Brooke is getting her dance body moving again. She’s grateful for the opportunity to dance with Meg and the Forty106 Dance Project as well as Steamboat Dance Theater. Her dance fire has been reignited and she’s loving the warmth!

I’m a fitness and dance instructor with a background in education and a focus on kinesiology. I’m passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals through fun and engaging classes. My teaching style is informed by my education background, which allows me to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment. My kinesiology studies have given me a deep understanding of the human body and how it moves, which I use to design safe and effective workouts.

Kailee Davis started dancing at the age of three in her hometown of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and has been dancing ever since. From age eleven through the end of high school she danced with Elevation Dance Studio where she studied many classic, contemporary, and commercial dance forms. She danced competitively throughout high school and performed in annual recitals and other community concerts. She also performed in Elevation Dance Studio’s productions of The Nutcracker where she was able to dance the roles of Militaire Doll and Sugar Plum Fairy under the tutelage of Solange Guenier-Chambers.

In 2016 Kailee attended Perry Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp’s six-week pre-professional dance intensive as a scholarship student where she studied under Erica Pujic, Antonio Brown, and Christopher Compton among others. While at Perry Mansfield she attend daily technique classes and choreography workshops, performed weekly at the Perry Under The Stars mini showcase event, and performed in the final end of the summer performance. Kailee enjoyed her time at Perry Mansfield so much that she returned for their professional dance intensive in 2019 where she got to experience life in a professional company setting while working alongside Shannon Gillen’s dance company Vim Vigor. Kailee finished her time with Perry Mansfield in 2019 by working as a camp counselor. She hopes to return and work with the performing arts camp again someday.

In 2018, Kailee was accepted into CSU’s dance program with a scholarship where she has studied various technique forms along with choreography, pedagogy, dance history, and other dance related courses. During her time at CSU dance, she has trained with many renowned faculty members and guest artists such as Pilobolus, Koresh Urban Bush Woman, Dwight Rhoden, and others. She has performed in more than five dance concerts during her time at CSU in pieces choreographed by faculty, student choreographers, and guest artists. She also choreographed a piece for the 2019 Fall Dance Concert. This past summer, Kailee interned with CSU dance faculty’s Professor Lisa Morgan through the Education in Motion program.

Traci grew up in California, where she had very little formal dance training in her early years, although she was always happiest when she was dancing. In high school Traci joined the dance team when she became a lead choreographer and team captain. She also joined the dance program at her high school where she received her first formal dance training, focused mainly on jazz and hip hop. After a hiatus from dance in college and her early adult years, Traci moved to Steamboat Springs in 2003 and discovered Steamboat Dance Theatre in 2005, reigniting her passion for dance. She has participated with Steamboat Dance Theatre in many capacities, including performing in 18 years of the annual concert performance, co-producing the performance for two years, serving as President of the SDT Board for seven years, and instructing the World Dance in Schools program. Traci taught Bitty Ballet at Elevation Dance Studio for 10 years, and teaches fitness classes including dance fitness. She has also volunteered as a choreographer for Steamboat’s Dancing with the Stars program to benefit Northwest Rocky Mountain CASA for several years. Traci’s connection to the dance community has literally been a lifeline for her in her own mental health journey.

As someone who struggles with anxiety and who has had multiple life experiences with loved ones related to mental health challenges, Traci is extremely passionate about mental health and wants to help others find ways to support their own mental wellness. Traci volunteers as a member of the Community Crisis Response Team for Routt County Crisis Support and the Loss Response Team for REPS (Reaching Everyone Preventing Suicide).

Alexa, originally from Indiana, is trained in many genres, from ballet to contemporary to musical theatre and everything in between. Her extensive training started with Expressenz Dance Center in Carmel, IN, followed by Purdue University’s Dance Team. She has spent the last 7 years as a studio dance instructor and High School competition coach. Alexa founded the Steamboat Springs High School Dance Team, which competes in the CHSAA Spirit competitions. Alexa choreographs for several local dance organizations, including Steamboat Dance Theatre and Northwest Rocky Mountain CASA’s Dancing with the Stars. This is Alexa’s 4th year teaching with Bella Movement.

Being a dancer allows Alexa to escape from reality into uncontainable bliss and joy, filling her soul in a way nothing else can. She finds so much fulfillment in sharing this gift with others—whether they are discovering their love for dance or have been immersed in it for years. She is grateful to be given so many opportunities to continue moving and performing in the Valley, all thanks to Forty106 Dance Project, Dance Theatre, and Dancing with the Stars.

Lora Labaree’s passion for dance began at the young age of three in Northern California. She trained extensively in various dance styles, specializing in ballet with the Greentree Children’s Ballet Company for over 14 years. In high school, she expanded her experience by teaching dance to children ages 3–14, where her love for working with youth first took root.

She went on to major in Dance and Education at the University of California, Irvine. During college and for six years after, she performed professionally, including a decade-long career with Disney as a dancer, face character, and special events entertainer. She also performed internationally with the Oriental Land Company at DisneySea in Japan on two separate contracts.

With over 25 years of experience teaching dance, Lora has also dedicated 15 years to teaching Pilates, seven years to Aerial Dance, and three years to Bungee. She has been an active member of Steamboat Dance Theatre since 2010 as both a dancer and choreographer. Her passion for working with youth has led her to teach Performing Arts to K–5th graders at Steamboat Montessori for the past three years, as well as at Strawberry Park Elementary.

Beyond performance and instruction, Lora has a deep commitment to mental health and the power of movement as a tool for healing and self-expression. Her journey in this field began in high school as a trained peer counselor and continued in college, where she studied Dance Therapy. She has long aspired to further her mission to support others through the transformative power of movement.

Elvira danced professionally in Europe and Colorado with Bejart Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Boulder Ballet, Ballet Ariel and as a guest artist with David Taylor Dance Theater (DTDT). She co-founded Delusions of Grandeur Productions, a multidisciplinary performing arts company. Her choreography has been featured with various companies. Now a Steamboat resident, Elvira works in software design, live event production, and is the owner of EVS Images, a photography company, whose work is used for the Local Dance Collective. Elvira guest teaches ballet throughout Colorado and is a certified yoga instructor working towards her advanced certification.

Upcoming community session schedule:
5/14 5:30-6:30pm 18+ at Perry Mansfield

*Bring a mat & water, wear comfortable clothing.  Questions: 970-846-5833

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