About Us
We are Studio West Dance Center, independently visioned and operated since 2006.
SWDC offers an experience for all. We understand everyone’s journey is unique and offer two enriching paths for our dancers through our Performance and Pre Pro opportunities. We offer the very best in a well-rounded dance education under one roof for the beginner to advanced dancer.
Our History
It all began with the deep seed instilled in the then 40-year-old Jennifer Knostman to provide the next generation of artists with the meaningful, inspiring, creative, and passionate experiences rooted in her own dance education growing up in Kansas. As a mother of three, she felt there was a hole that needed to be filled in her community: to provide the “all-’round” dance experience.
With a family environment from its inception, Studio West Dance Center has been helping the youth of Northern Colorado to discover and pursue their dreams through the art of dance. We prepare each dancer for a successful path in life, as we believe dance skills are life skills. Our dance education is based on foundation and current industry standards in all genres and styles, cultivating lifelong relationships, helping others, and the importance of being present. Our values in technique, artistry, dance education and performance opportunities have not wavered 17+ years later.
They say it takes a village. We are so grateful to all the families, guest artists and faculty who make us who we are today and bestow on us this privilege to continue making art.
Jennifer Knostman
Owner, Artistic Director, Instructor
(Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop)
Jennifer Knostman opened Studio West Dance Center in 2006 and has been sharing her love of dance since. From her first dance class at the age of 3 to SWDC as you know it today the art of dance has fueled her passion for over 55 years and taken her from coast to coast. Nurturing and encouraging the next generation of artists and HUMAN beings has been her top priority from SWDC’s inception and continues today.
For the past 34 years Jennifer and her husband Tom have been building roots here in Fort Collins and Northern CO. Together, from the ground up they created Studio West Dance Center, and raised three “dancing” babies. Having their own children go through the program fueled and guided the model for the continued pursuit of bringing the best faculty, master teachers and intensives to Northern CO. Today, Jennifer has stayed rooted in these values and ensures that excellence in artistry, technique and education are at the forefront of SWDC’s philosophy.
You will still find Jennifer in the classroom, as well as continuing her own pursuit of dance education. Her dancer’s have graduated from Juilliard to USC and in between, you can find them on cruise ships, world tours, dance companies and beyond. She has been awarded many national awards and accolades along the way and can be seen in Dance Teacher’s May 28th 2019 Higher Ed issue, “Harrison Knostman’s Winning Path to Juilliard.”
She is devoted to keeping the art of dance alive in a fun, nurturing and kid friendly environment!
Full-Time Staff & Guest Faculty
We understand we are more than “dance instructors”. As your child’s role models and mentors, we are committed to inspiring them to be the best version of themselves on and off the dance floor.
Leah is our Office and Accounts Manager. She has been involved with SWDC for 20 years! Her oldest daughter began dancing with Miss Jennifer when she was 5, and danced all the way through her senior year (she now is teaching our First Steps Program!) During the 20 year span, both of Leah’s daughters danced, and were on the Ensemble Team. She has been working with Miss Jennifer and SWDC in one capacity or another through the years.
“I love SWDC and the family atmosphere that has always been nurtured here, as well as having the honor of watching the dancers grow. I am very proud to have been a part of this wonderful program all these years!”
Ashton is an amazing triple threat talent who has been working professionally in the entertainment world since the age of 12. Growing up in her mom’s dance studio, Ashton quickly mastered the art of performance, and with focused determination by the age of 17 had co-written and recorded two demo albums as a pop artist. She has danced on the Disney channel in a music video with Tiffany Evans for the Lion King 11 soundtrack, appeared on the CBS hit show “Dance Revolution,” plays Mariah on the current WB hit webisode “Downer’s Grove,” and has numerous performance credits as a pop artist.
Ashton has danced on the stages of Wade Robson, Tabitha & Napolean D’umo, Dave Scott, Mia Michaels, Brian Friedman, Chantal Robson, and so many more. She has received top awards in performance and scholarships from every major dance convention on the circuit. She has assisted at major dance conventions all over the country and has years of teaching experience from her mom’s studio in Colorado Springs. She also has runway and print modeling credits.
Ashton is proficient in Jazz, Funky Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Lyrical, Ballet and Technique. She is well known for her upbeat and energetic teaching style for all ages.
Kathy Vreeland was Founder and Director of the contemporary ballet company, Reformation Dance Company, from 2017-2022, which initially formed in Cheyenne, Wyoming and had relocated to Denver. She has choreographed the full length original ballets: Four Seasons/Shadows, Star Tributes, Sideshow, Bach to Rock, Witch, Go West and Summer of Love.
For 11 years prior, Kathleen proudly served as Founder, Artistic Director and Choreographer to the only professional ballet company in the state of Wyoming, Ballet Wyoming, which was originally formed as Ballet 7220 in Laramie, Wyoming.She personally choreographed over 20 original works including, Peter and the Wolf, Little Mermaid, Wizard of Oz, Cinderella, Peter Pan and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She owned Laramie Dance Center in 2005-2013 in Laramie, Wyoming with over 300 students including classes in ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, and modern. Earlier in her dance career she was a professional ballet dancer in Irving, Texas, Dallas, Las Vegas,(where she also starred in numerous and conventions) as well as companies throughout Denver and Ft Collins.
She is the 2019 Wyoming Arts Council Choreography Fellowship recipient and a National Endowment for the Arts Grants Panelist.
Nathan cultivated his passion for dance at the age of 5, training at multiple schools in Northern
VA and Washington, DC. Growing up as a competitive dancer, he was recognized in magazines
such as DanceSpirit Magazine and Dance Informa for his exceptional tap dancing. He also made
an appearance on Lifetime’s reality television series Dance Moms as a guest artist. In High
School, Nathan was selected as a National Young Arts Foundation Finalist, granting him the
opportunity to train with famous artists such as Josh Groban, Nikki Minaj, and more.
His career started at a young age when he was cast as Billy in the national tour of “Brothers’ of
the Knight”, directed by Debbie Allen. Soon after, Nathan joined the team of Dein Perry’s
“Tapdogs”, an award-winning Australian tap dance show, where he traveled the world
performing in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. Other performing credits include
Rhythmic Circus and Busch Garden’s “Celtic Fyre”. As a member of the professional company
The JaM Project, Nathan toured the United States performing; “Good Times, Bad Times” at the
Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, Break the Floor Production’s “25 Live” in Los Angeles,
CA, and the Capezio ACE awards in NYC. The JaM Project has also made multiple appearances
on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”, and “World of Dance” Season 2.
Additionally, Nathan is an active dance instructor and traveling choreographer, teaching
workshops and intensives across the U.S. He has been involved in events such as the DC Tapfest,
Riff, JaM Camp, KAR, and more. Nathan continues to share his passion for dance to all ages
around the country, in hopes of inspiring the next generation of artists to “Keep on Dancin’.”
Layne has danced for the past 17+ years, 15 of which she was a competitive dancer from the Denver Area.
She is currently a student at CSU studying Clinical Psychology as well as dancing professionally for the Colorado Eagles as an Eagles Chick!
Layne brings experience, positivity and an ability to work with all levels and ages of dance.
Rhiannan grew up dancing right here at SWDC with Jennifer Knostman at the age of 6! She started competing at the age
of 10, all the way through high school. Out of high school she went to college with an interest in the medical field. She completed college in 2020 with a variety of medical certificates including CNA, EMT, and Phlebotomy. With her love for dance she continued to dance in her free time doing country swing and line dancing.
Rhiannan now has a two year old daughter who comes and takes mommy and me class with her! She loves dance just as much as her mama and also enjoys learning first steps moves at home (tap is her favorite!)
Rhiannan is very excited to be back in her dance home, and since 2023 has been working the front desk and teaching all the littles (Mommy & Me, First Steps) watching them form a love for dance like she did at their age!
Adriana Reidle is from Thornton Colorado, currently attending Colorado State University while working and teaching for SWDC! She has been dancing since the age of 3 and competitively since the age of 5. Adriana works both at the front desk and in our classrooms teaching a variety of dance classes to our young dancer’s.
" I love that I am still able to share my love and knowledge of dance, and help out behind the front desk!"
Faith is a graduate of the Colorado State University Dance Program. She brings her love of dance, knowledge, experience, passion and positivity to the classroom, teaching dancers of all ages and styles!
Madelin is currently a senior at Colorado State University studying International business and marketing.
She has been dancing for over 14 years and competed for seven. She spent her last four years as a teen at Studio West Dance Center, training and competing in all dance styles.
She is honored to continue teaching and sharing her love of dance.
Kendall is a high school senior, and a member of our Ensemble Company. She brings a lifelong love of dance to both our Company members, as well as in the classroom teaching tap to our Performance age 6+ dancers!
Ernan has been teaching Boyz Hip Hop with us since early 2024. He is a part of the local dance group FoCo Flava. Ernan is also the recruiter for Colorado State University's Dance Program, and is well versed in all styles of dance. He brings lots of positive energy and amazing dance moves to the classroom!
Dance Instructor & Choreographer
Dance and movement have been at the heart of Samantha "Sam" Baker's life from an early age. After moving to Colorado in high school, she immersed herself in the vibrant dance community of the Denver metro area, training at numerous studios in a wide range of styles. Sam's passion for dance led her to Los Angeles, where she trained under some of the industry's most respected choreographers.
Upon returning to Denver, Sam continued her education and attended Metropolitan State University. In 2012 her entrepreneurial spirit led her to co-found Rogue Co., a professional dance company made up of some of Denver’s top dance talent. Creating and leading a professional company has been a profound influence on her career, pushing her to explore new creative boundaries while remaining deeply connected to her roots in the Denver dance scene.
For the past 13 years, Sam has been a dedicated instructor and choreographer at DanceSpace, she also directs the Performance Company. Under her guidance, the company has flourished, and her students have earned numerous overall titles, outstanding choreography awards, and national recognition for their performances. As a guest teacher and choreographer for various studios across Colorado, Sam has had the privilege of sharing her expertise with a wide range of students, from beginners to professionals.
In addition to her dance expertise, Sam is a certified yoga and barre instructor, utilizing her extensive knowledge of the body to enhance her teaching and support her students' strength, flexibility, and overall well-being. Her holistic approach to movement, combined with her dynamic choreography, inspires her students to push their limits while fostering a love and respect for the art form.
Sam is thrilled to continue sharing her passion, energy, and love of dance with her students and beyond, helping them grow as dancers and individuals.
Brady grew up as a competitive dancer for many years. He has participated in many conventions where he has won scholarship money, apprenticeship opportunities, as well as the prestigious $60,000 AMDA College scholarship. He has toured as an assistant with the dance convention Titans of Dance. Out of high school, Brady started choreographing in Ohio and in his 4 years of creating, he has won numerous choreography awards including 2 World Choreography award nominations with Star Dance Alliance. Brady currently is an apprentice with LA-based contemporary dance company MusEffect where he performed in three PSA dance videos entitled "Where Is The Love?" , "I'm Tired", and “Unstoppable.” Brady was a dancer in the Dancer Against Cancer PSA dance video choreographed by Jessica Starr and performed at the Industry Dance Awards 2022. He currently travels and choreographs at various dance studios all across the country independently and with MusEffect and assists many choreographers such as Katie Hazard, and Matthew Fata. He works as a competition judge for ID Dance Competition and AMP Dance Competition, and is a faculty member at Activate Your Artistry Dance Convention. Most recently he performed at Los Angeles’s Choreographers Carnival in Jessica Starr’s piece this past month. He as also recently been accepted as a principal dancer for Katie Hazard’s dance company, Vitality.
Katie Hazard, an Ohio Native started dancing when she was 13 years old. Before her dancing days, she started as a competitive gymnast where she ended as a level 9. Katie moved to Los Angeles to pursue her career in 2011. She immediately started working for the touring company MusEffect. Where she has been a principal dancer in the past 8 shows of “The Divine Direction.” She also had the opportunity to travel with Hollywood Vibe Dance Convention where she assisted top tier professionals for 10 plus years.
She has had the opportunity to be a part of Michele Obamas "Let's Move" campaign, The Academy of Country Music Awards, World Choreography Dance Awards, Reebok, and VANS. You can catch her on screen with Little Big Town and in Tyler Hilton and Spencer Ludwig music videos, to name a few. Not only does Katie like to perform she also has a strong passion for educating. She has had the chance to travel nationally & internationally to teach and choreograph for several studios from Australia to Costa Rica. Katie is a currently on faculty for Intrigue Dance Convention where she acts as Show Director & full time faculty. She has also had the chance to choreograph for So You Think You Can Dance Jr, and VANS US Surf Open.
Katie also acts as the Director for the new upcoming Colorado based professional company, Vitality [the company].
Emily Carpenter (she/her) is an international triple threat performer with over 15 years of dance training. Most recently, her career has taken her sailing as Dance Captain on Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas performing in some of their most iconic shows, Boogie Wonderland and Broadway Rhythm and Rhyme. She has also performed the works of renowned choreographers such as Aszure Barton, Martha Nichols, Amy Hall Garner, Robert Priore, Sarah Brinson, Kiesha Lalama, and Cat Cogliandro. Emily received her B.F.A. in Dance with a Minor in Musical Theater from Point Park University in 2022. While pursuing her degree she performed in over 10 shows from musicals to concert pieces and everything in between. As a teacher, she loves connecting with students from all over the world, encouraging young dancers’ versatility, and bringing the fun back to learning!
Sithumi Sinley is a Studio West Dance Center alumni who graduated in 2022 and is currently studying commercial dance at PACE University in New York City. Alongside perusing her education in dance, she still continues to coach both recreational and competitive dancers in various styles.