Laurel Cardenas, Instructor

Laurel grew up in Boulder and began her dance journey at the age of three. Her early passion for movement quickly grew into a serious commitment when she joined two competitive dance companies during middle school. These opportunities allowed her to train extensively in a wide range of styles, including ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary, and modern. It was during this time that Laurel also discovered a passion for teaching. While assisting classes for younger dancers, she found joy in helping others grow and express themselves through dance. Laurel continued her training at college in Iowa, where she studied under artist-in-residence Alvon Reed. During her time there, she performed in and choreographed for several productions, honing her creative voice. She also began teaching at a local studio, where she contributed original choreography to their annual Nutcracker production, parades, and recitals. Since returning to Colorado, Laurel has gained her master's in Early Childhood Special Education. She has continued to teach at a few Denver-area studios and is now proud to be in her second year at LCDC. She hopes to use her special education and dance backgrounds to create a studio environment based on inclusivity and joy of movement.