EXPERIENCED AND PASSIONATE FACULTY

BRIELLE DIGHERO

Executive Director / Owner

Brielle is a retired 6 year Veteran and 3 year Captain with the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders.  Prior to being a DBC, she trained Pre-Professionally with International Youth Ballet in Littleton, was a part of Michelle Latimer Dance Academy’s Company, and danced with the American Ballet Theatre in New York for 3 Summers.  She has also been a backup dancer for Weird Al Yankovic and graduated from CSU with a Dance Major and Business Minor.  Since taking over ownership of Contemporary Dance Academy in 2013, it has been her goal to help inspire the next generation of dancers and she feels so grateful to be able to do what she loves every day. 

ANNALISE BODAMER

Artistic Director

Annalise grew up in Boulder and trained at the Boulder Ballet School throughout her childhood. After graduating from Goucher College with a Dance Performance Major and Mathematics Minor she went on to dance with Dayton Ballet in Ohio. Annalise performed there for nearly a decade and enjoyed earning the role of Rehearsal Assistant as well. She loves teaching all of the talented dancers at CDA and seeing each individual grow!

CASE BODAMER

Assistant Artistic Director

Case was born and raised in New York where he grew up training at American Dance Theatre of Long Island and The Ailey School in Manhattan. Professionally he danced for 10 years with Dayton Ballet, where he performed countless roles in both classical and contemporary works. He also danced with Ballet Austin, Ballet Montana, Boulder Ballet, and 3rd Law Dance/Theater. His passion and love for dance continues to grow through teaching and developing the next generation of dancers.

AMY EARNEST

Dance Instructor

Amy began dancing at the age of three in Atlanta, GA and received her training with 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 numerous principal roles and was 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 taught and coached students for the last twenty years and is also a certified Pilates instructor.

CASSIDY FAULHABER

Dance Instructor

Cassidy Faulhaber is a recent graduate from Colorado State University. There she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, extensive community outreach experience, and the opportunity to bring dance to a wide range of demographics. There she choreographed four unique and investigative pieces, one of which was featured in the Oklahoma Contemporary Dance Festival. Cassidy has over 18 years of dance training experience in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, modern, hip-hop, musical theater, and competitive dance.

EMILY BJORK

Dance Instructor

Emily has danced since she was 3 and danced at CDA since she was 5. She has performed in  13 nutcrackers and spring productions with CDA and has had roles including Cinderella, Dew Drop and Gaston. She first started assisting classes 3 years ago and this is her second year as an official teacher at CDA. Emily is currently double majoring in Dance and English Literature at Colorado State University and was awarded a dance merit scholarship. She is so excited to teach and dance with everyone!

HAILEY DEN

Dance Instructor

Hailey has been dancing in Fort Collins, CO all her life! She spent four years on the Fossil Ridge Dance Team and is currently in her second season with the Colorado State Golden Poms Dance Team. Hailey is a sophomore at Colorado State University, majoring in Early Childhood Education. She is so excited to be a part of CDA!

KAYLIE ADAMS

Dance Instructor

Kaylie is a lifelong dancer, gymnast, and teacher. Starting off her career with competitive gymnastics and then transitioning into competitive dance, Kaylie has always had a strong passion for where art meets athletics. Kaylie is an experienced dance/gymnastics instructor, having taught at studios and gyms throughout California, Ohio, and now Colorado. She’s excited to be a part of CDA, starting Fall 2024!

LEXI EVANS

Dance Instructor

Lexi Evans grew up in Pittsburgh, PA where she trained at Pittsburgh Youth Ballet. She completed her training at the School of Oregon Ballet Theater and joined the Israel Ballet in 2008. Lexi spent three seasons in Israel before returning to the states to dance with Sarasota Ballet, The Suzanne Farrell Ballet, and finally Boulder Ballet before retiring in 2019. Lexi is also a dance photographer and has loved capturing the students of CDA for the past 5 years!

MIMI WESTON

Dance Instructor

Ms. Mimi has enjoyed over 30 years of a dance and teaching career! She has inspired many and has numerous former students enjoying successful careers as performers, teachers, and choreographers. In her 6th year with CDA, her focus continues to be teaching the fundamentals to the younger dancers!

SIERRA LA RUE

Dance Instructor

Sierra has been dancing for nearly two decades and graduated with a B.F.A. in Dance from Colorado State University in 2023. Since graduation, she has prioritized community engagement, improving as a dance educator, and strengthening herself as a performer. Sierra has been teaching a variety of dance styles including tap, jazz, ballet, and pointe since 2019 and is the Head Dance Coach at Rocky Mountain High School. As an educator, Sierra prioritizes student achievement, and she strongly believes in everybody’s ability, and right, to dance.

TAYLOR AGUILERA

Dance Instructor

Taylor was born and raised in Fort Collins, Colorado. Her dance journey began at Inertia Performing Arts and continued at a local studio, where she competed in various styles. In high school, she joined Fossil Ridge High School’s dance team and continued dancing throughout college. She started my teaching career at Contemporary Dance Academy in 2019, in a variety of styles including ballet and tiny tots. Taylor danced for the Colorado Eagles Chicks from 2021-2023. Taylor has a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University and her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. After a year of teaching in Idaho at Dance It Studio, Taylor is excited to be back in Colorado coaching the dance team at Timnath High School and teaching once again at CDA.