Dancers
Abigail Barnes-Scheduling Coordinator
Hailing from Columbia, Missouri, has been a part of the Denver dance community for over five years. She joined Apex Dance in 2011 and has enjoyed growing as an artist with the Apex family throughout the past three years. Prior to working with Apex, Abby was a company member of Kim Robards Dance and Caroline Calouche and Company. She has taught for the KRD School, The Academy of Colorado Ballet, and Denver Ballet Theater, and is currently an instructor at Dual Star Dance. During her time at these schools, Abby taught ballet, jazz, modern and contemporary for young children and adults. Before attending college, Abby was a part of Cedar Lake II where she was able to work with Karen Mareck-Grundy, Lauri Stallings and Swan Benoit-Pouffer, among others. Abby attended Winthrop University where she majored in Biology with minors in Chemistry, Spanish and Dance Performance. While there, Abby was able to study abroad in Spain and Costa Rica. In Spain, Abby studied the Spanish culture and language as well as attended a premiere Flamenco school. Abby wishes to thank her family and friends for their support and love, without which this journey would not be possible.
Kimberly Chmielewski
A native of Chicago, Illinois, graduated magnum cum laude from The University of Iowa, receiving her BFA and Honors in Dance and Sociology. She began her training under Judith Svalander, Greg Begley, and Altin Naska. During past summers, Kimberly has trained with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, American Ballet Theatre, and the Joffrey Ballet School on scholarships. Kimberly teaches dance and loves the creative intuition and inspiration that her students constantly supply to her passion for this incredible art form. In addition to dancing with Apex Dance, Kimberly also dances with Hannah Kahn Dance Company and Moraporvida Contemporary Dance.
Rebecca Dean- Rehearsal Director
is a founding company member with Apex Dance. Rebecca graduated from University of Utah with an honors BFA in Ballet Performance and Teaching and a minor in business. Rebecca currently dances as a soloist with Ballet Ariel and has also danced professionally with David Taylor Dance Theatre, 7Dancers, Kim Robards Dance, and Ballet Magnificat. Rebecca’s dance training includes: North Carolina School of the Arts, Milwaukee Ballet School, Ballet West, New Tampa Dance Theatre, Firethorn School of Dance, and Blake High School of Performing Arts. Rebecca is the Ballet Director of Colorado School of Dance and Artistic Director of the Colorado Youth Ballet Company, where she directs the annual “Nutcracker of Parker.” She has directed “Don Quixote,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Alice in Wonderland,” and other full length ballets for Colorado School of Dance. Rebecca would like to thank her husband and beautiful little girl, Annabelle, for their love and support.
Melissa May
originally from Darien, Illinois, began dancing at age 4, and relocated to Denver in 2010. Melissa has been dancing with Apex Dance since the fall of 2013. Ms. May also dances under the direction of Jayne Persch in BRIAH Danse ,and Zikr Dance Ensemble, directed by David Taylor. Some of her favorite works with Zikr Dance Ensemble include “Sanctuary,” “Field of Fire,” and “In Your Eyes.” While in Denver, she also performed with Dawson|Wallace Dance Project for three seasons, appearing in works such as “Eclipsing Venus,” “Nascent,” “Continuum,” and “Murmuration.” Ms. May previously danced with Kim Robards Dance in 2010. Currently a ballet instructor at Denver Ballet Theatre, Melissa also taught for Inspirations Dance Company and The Academy of Colorado Ballet South. Melissa graduated with a BFA in Ballet Performance from The University of Oklahoma in 2009. As a scholarship recipient, she performed with Oklahoma Festival Ballet under the direction of Mary Margaret Holt. She then danced as a trainee with Ballet Austin for their 2009-10 Season. Melissa received her pre-professional training at Midwest Ballet Academy in Downers Grove, IL, under Mim Eichmann, and at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts in Chicago, under Larry Long and Greg Begley. She attended summer intensives at Boston Ballet School, Ballet Austin, and studied with Maurya Kerr, Yannis Adoniou, and Enrico Labayen at LINES Ballet Summer Program. Melissa is so grateful to have the opportunity to work with so many talented artists!
Heidi Nichter
Is currently the Programs Director at Dual Star Academy of Dance, as well as a master teacher throughout the Denver community. Ms. Nichter graduated cum laude from Point Park University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. In addition to this, she has trained with the Metropolitan Ballet Center, American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive, and as a scholarship student with Steps on Broadway. Heidi has worked with such notable choreographers as Kevin Ward, Debbie Blunden-Diggs, Terrence Greene, Cynthia Harvey, Susan Stowe, and Jay E. Kirk. In 2007, Heidi co-founded Apex Contemporary Dance Theatre. Her other professional experience includes Xpressions Contemporary Dance Company, The Pittsburgh Playhouse, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company II, and Kim Robards Dance Company. Heidi feels incredibly blessed to have been given such great opportunities and two amazing little boys, Liam and Logan.
