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 ten 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.
top
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 and Springfield Ballet
Company. This summer, Mr. Hardin is excited about returning to Springfield, IL to choreograph for the "Rock Ballet", as well as teach for the Boulder Jazz Dance Workshop.
top
Andi Lewis
Jazz and Zumba Instructor
Andi Lewis began dancing at the age of four where she received her early training in the Colorado Springs area. At the age of 14, she was accepted into the Colorado College Summer Ballet Intensive on scholarship where she trained with many notable teachers. She performed with the Colorado Ballet in their productions of Hans Christian Anderson and A Midsummer Night's Dream, and in 1996, she was selcted as the understudy for the lead role in Debbie Allen's Pepito's Story. In 2001, she was accepted into the prestigious Alvin Ailey School where she attended their 2001 Summer Intensive Program in New York City. In 2004-05, she danced as a principal with The Peak Ballet Theatre where she performed lead roles in various contemporary pieces. She has worked closely with many renowned and international artists including Xavier Hicks, Marcia Flores Cantillana, Rosangala Silverstre, Stephen Smith, Hinton Battle, and many others. In 2004, she graduated with honors at the top of her class from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs with a B.S. in Health Sciences with an emphasis on Sports Health nd Wellness. She currently teaches jazz and ballet at AGSD and is a certified Zumba and Health Fitness Instructor.
top
Robert Neues
From my duet with my mother at five years old in the concert hall of our kitchen to 9,000 people at Red rocks, dance has been a part of my life. I have been training and performing for the past six years all over the country. My dance is based off funk styles of poppin' and lockin'. Although these styles are the basis I try to push the boundaries and produce a one of a kind freestyle that is always unique and intriguing.
top
Ben Shultze
Modern Instructor
Ben Schultz, from Denver Colorado, attended Indiana University and studied Ballet. Training under Violette Verdy, Ben performed in The Nutcracker, “Guys and Dolls” and Don Quixote. Since leaving Indiana, Ben has performed and toured with the Tony Award winning show Blast as well as performed and toured with the Cleo Parker Dance Ensemble. In addition, Ben serves as a resident choreographer for the Arvada Center as well as teaching Modern, Jazz and Ballet techniques to both beginning and advanced students. In 2007 Ben joined Hannah Kahn Dance Ensemble.
top