Faculty

Amy Earnest

is the Owner and Co-Artistic Director of Avant-Garde School of Dance, she began dancing at the age of three in Atlanta, GA. Ms. Earnest received her training at the School of Atlanta Ballet; under the direction of Tom Pazik, School of American Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School. As a professional dancer she performed with Hartford Ballet, North Carolina Dance Theatre, Tulsa Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. She performed principal roles in George Balanchine’s; Four Temperaments, Prodigal Son, Apollo, Western Symphony, and Who Cares; William Forsythe’s In The Middle Somewhat Elevated; Alonzo King’s Map and Dreamer; Nacho Duato's Arenal; Kirk Peterson’s Amazed in Burning Dreams, Firebird, Nutcracker; and Paul Taylor's Esplanade. She also was a finalist in the prestigious New York Ballet Competition of 1996 and was a member of the Chautauqua Ballet from 1998 to 2000. Ms. Earnest has been teaching and coaching students for the last thirteen years. Ms. Earnest is also a certified Pilates instructor who trained clients at the Athletic Club at Denver Place. Her certification is through D.K. Body Balancing accredited by the University of Nevada Las Vegas and approved by the Nevada and Arizona State Boards of Physical Therapists. Ms. Earnest has also been choreographing both locally and nationally for The Denver Independent Choreographer's Project and Springfield Ballet Company. This year she will be enjoying her second season as company teacher with David Taylor Dance Theatre, along with a variety of requests as guest artist including the role of the "Firebird" for the Grand Junction Symphony, in Grand Junction, CO.
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Lance Hardin

Co-Artistic Director of Avant-Garde School of Dance, is a native of Chicago, IL. Mr. Hardin received his training at the Ruth Page Foundation School of Dance where he studied with Larry Long and at the Academy of Houston Ballet. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ballet from Indiana University, where he studied under the direction of Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, Patricia McBride, Jacques Cesbron, and Violette Verdy. As a professional dancer, Mr. Hardin has danced with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, North Carolina Dance Theatre, Chautauqua Ballet, and Milwaukee Ballet. He has performed principal roles from world renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine (Allegro Brilliante, Four Temperaments, Western Symphony, Who Cares), Paul Taylor (Esplanade and Company B), Dwight Rhoden (Verge), Nacho Duato (Jardi Tancat), William Forsythe (In the Middle Somewhat Elevated) Michael Pink (Romeo and Juliet), and Alonzo King (Map). Since relocating in the Denver area Mr. Hardin has enjoyed invitations as a guest artist with Ballet Nouveau Colorado, Kim Robards Dance, Springfield Ballet Company, and the Yoko Kasai Ballet Studio located in Japan. Presently, Lance is enjoying many requests as guest artist, teacher, and choreographer. Mr. Hardin has taught dance for the past 15 years and holds numerous choreographic credits including The Denver Independent Choreographer's Project, Springfield Ballet Company, and Boulder Ballet. Most recently Lance choreographed "Versus" for Boulder Ballet and was reviewed as "Hardin's ballet was the ultimate example of a clean, contemporary ballet"- Denver Dance Examiner.
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Co-Artistic Directors, Amy Earnest and Lance Hardin, are available for coaching, master classes, choreography for individuals or groups, and as guest artists. Please contact us at (303)288-3101 or info@avant-gardeschoolofdance.com

 

 

Amy Earnest and Lance Hardin in "Versus", choreography by Lance Hardin (2009).