The Heartbeat Ballet
The Heartbeat Ballet falls under FRCBA’s Non-profit organization, Dance Arts Network and Continuing Education.
Mission Statement
The role of the arts in society is to elucidate and deepen our understanding of humanity and life on Earth and to build connection with others through this deeper understanding. The mission of the Heartbeat Ballet is to connect with audiences through dance performances that integrate the abilities of highly-trained ballet dancers with innovative movements and choreographic endeavors that speak to the human experience. The Heartbeat Ballet is a small group of classically trained dancers seeking to blend contemporary movements with the precision of classical technique in order to express and reach a deeper side of humanity. In addition to producing theatre performances, the Heartbeat Ballet works to bring these experiences into small intimate venues where it can reach audience members who do not have the opportunity to get out to a theatre production. Future goals are to connect with under-served and at-risk populations by providing expressive dance workshops for them in coordination with other non-profit groups.
View photos and read about our past performances here.
Upcoming Performance: Convergence 2024
The Heartbeat Ballet will be performing at Convergence 2024 in Northglenn at the Parsons Theatre on Saturday October 12th at 4pm and 7:30 pm. We will be performing, “Comfort From Another” choreographed by Karissa Fidler, which premiered last Spring at our show Raising the Sparks. Find tickets here.
Schedule an Outreach Performance
Heartbeat Ballet performs in many non-traditional spaces. If you have a school, community center, nursing home, coffee shop, or other venue and are interested in scheduling a performance with us, please reach out to frcballet@gmail.com for more information.
Sponsor Our Company
There are many expenses that come with providing performances for our community. If you would like to sponsor our company, please review the sponsorship options before clicking the donate button.
The Heartbeat Ballet at Convergence in Denver CO, Fall of 2023.
Audition for Heartbeat Ballet
When: There are no upcoming auditions at this time. Contact Ixchel to audition in class! 970.980.8425
Where: Front Range Classical Ballet Academy
3501 S. Mason St. Unit #1
Fort Collins, CO
What to Expect:
Ballet technique and pointe (optional for men)
followed by several phrases of contemporary and an
opportunity to present solo work if desired
Attire:
dark, solid color leotard; pink or skin tone tights;
pink or skin tone ballet slippers; hair pulled up and
away from the face, bun if possible
- OR -
white T-shirt; black tights; black or white ballet
slippers; hair away from the face
Commitment:
- Heartbeat Ballet is seeking both new company members and apprentices for the 2023-2024 season, ages 17+
- Dancers are expected to attend a minimum of three classes a week, including company class. At least two of these classes must be ballet and offered at FRCBA
- Rehearsals will be Tuesday afternoons and possibly an additional 1-2 times per week beginning in September
- Choreographic opportunities for full company members
- Annual performances typically include one or two pieces for Convergence in Denver, a full length theatre production, and smaller performances as opportunities arise.
- Heartbeat Ballet is a semi-professional company. Full company members will be paid for performances and apprentices paid for performance where income allows.
company members
IXCHEL LEVENDOSKY
Artistic Director of The Heartbeat Ballet, Choreographer and Company Member
Ixchel has been teaching, choreographing and performing in the northern Colorado region since 1990. Hailing from Wyoming, schooled at the University of Utah, UC Boulder and CSU, and having danced professionally in Oklahoma, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Colorado, Ixchel has studied classical ballet and modern dance with many master teachers. Over the past 25+ years, she has shared her love and knowledge of dance with countless students throughout northern Colorado. Her passion thrives through the direction of her studio, the Front Range Classical Ballet Academy and associated company, the The Heartbeat Ballet.
Ixchel’s ventures outside the dance world have earned her a masters degree in botany and years of doing contract and seasonal work for the US Forest Service. Her poetry has occasionally appeared in publication. She has been a volunteer for the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, and Partners Mentoring Youth. With all these joyful life pursuits, Ixchel still considers her son Orion to be greatest joy of her life.
DENEICE J. DYER
Company Member
I have been an instructor for over 30 years, and a dancer since the age of 5. I continue performing to this day.
I began progressive studio-quality dance programs in Evans, Greeley, Fort Collins, and Windsor through their Recreation Centers. All but one, Evans, are still active. Presently, my youth program joins into Front Range Classical Ballet Academy.
My ballet curriculum for young dancers considers age, ability, and appropriateness for physical development. I personally train my instructors in this curriculum so that, regardless of who is teaching, all follow my specific guidelines. My dancers progress from pre-ballet through pre-pointe and beginner pointe work.
I write original stories and use creative license on well-known stories to create all facets of children’s productions. My students provide inspiration and have input in what shows we do, often helping create these shows.
In addition to ballet, I also teach tap, jazz, and tumbling and have performed in various ballet, tap and modern companies in Colorado and Texas. Currently, I am directing a performing tap troupe of senior citizens in Greeley that began in 2003 and now includes 80 year olds!
I earned a BA in Dance and Drama from Texas Women’s University, and am currently licensed in Massage Therapy and practice in my own office in Windsor. I also have a current certification in first aid and CPR for adults and youth.
Ixchel Levendosky’s love of dance and teaching aligns with mine and I am very happy to be a part of her ballet academy, truly bringing ART into our Northern Colorado dance community for young dancers and adults. At Front Range Classical Ballet Academy, every dancer counts and no one is overlooked, which is unusual to see in most adult classes and one of my main reasons for joining this school.
Grace Cooper
Company Member
Grace Cooper began dancing at the age of four at American Ballet Academy in Salem Oregon, the studio where she undertook most of her training. Grace performed in various productions with American Ballet Academy and Eugene Ballet Company, studying ballet, pointe, and modern. Additionally, Grace choreographed and performed in many of her high school’s theater productions.
Grace graduated from Colorado State University in 2023 with a bachelor’s in Dance and English. At CSU, Grace discovered her passion for choreography and dramaturgy. She has choreographed for CSU Dance Concerts, as well as other productions in the School of Music, Theater, and Dance. She has worked as a dramaturg for IMPACT Dance Company, and for various projects within the CSU Dance Department.
When she’s not dancing, Grace loves to read and write poetry, spend time outside, and drink coffee. Grace is thrilled to be joining The Heartbeat Ballet for her first season as a Company Member!
Karissa Fidler
Company Member
Karissa grew up in Loveland, Colorado and discovered her love for dance at the age of 7. She began her Ballet journey with Berthoud Dance Company and has since spread her wings into to FRCBA. While classical ballet is her primary passion, Karissa also loves contemporary movement. She has enjoyed many roles in ballets such as Coppelia, and the Nutcracker in addition to some original ballets with FRCBA. This will be Karissa's first year performing with The Heartbeat Ballet, as she hopes to continue for many years to come.
Hannah Parker
Company Member
In 2017, Hannah started beginning ballet under Ixchel Levendosky at age 21. In the crash course that followed, she has enjoyed multiple dance intensives and performance opportunities.
Her training has included ballet, modern, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and Latin dance. Her most rewarding dance experience has been the past 5+ years at Front Range Classical Ballet Academy, and most recently a company member with The Heartbeat Ballet.
Hannah abides on a farm in the periphery of Fort Collins. When not dancing, she indulges her wild side with social work, church, and literature.
Chloe Shutters
Company Member
Chloe started dance at the age of 3, training in many styles with a primary focus on ballet for the majority of her dance career. She has trained at the Dance Factory, Henry Academy of Dance, and Colorado Ballet Academy while spending many summers participating in Summer Intensives at Colorado Ballet and one with American Ballet Theatre. She has recently graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a major in English and minors in both Dance and Writing. She is very excited to be joining the company this year!
Olivia Bird
Company Apprentice
Olivia grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado and originally started off with gymnastics before finding her love of dance at 13. She started dancing at Contemporary Dance Academy with ballet and hip hop before finding a more permanent home with FRCBA. Classical ballet is her main focus but Olivia also has a love for Dunham and more ‘classic’ contemporary. She will continue her dancing as an apprentice with The Heartbeat Ballet.
While dance is one of Olivia’s loves, she is also pursuing a degree in Equine Science at Colorado State University.