Balance means training hard without burning out. It means celebrating progress without pressure. It means making space for both dedication and downtime, for both structure and creativity.
In a world that often pushes young people to do more, be more, and move faster, we choose a different path—one that honors the whole dancer, not just the performer.
At MDM, we’ve created a place where dance fits into life—not the other way around. And in doing so, we help our dancers find their rhythm—not just in choreography, but in everything they do.
The greatest artistry doesn’t come from overwork—it comes from balance. And when dancers learn to move from a place of balance, they don’t just grow—they thrive.
Because here, we know the most powerful performance of all is one that comes from a dancer who feels grounded, supported, and free to be themselves.
Why Balance Matters
Helen Estrella
Owner | Artistic director CONTEMPORARY | ACRO
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Rohnert Park, California
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Drop Dead Fred
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“Normality is a paved road: It’s comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow on it.”
• Vincent van Gogh
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Helen's journey began in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she fell in love with movement amidst the disciplined world of competitive artistic and rhythmic gymnastics. Transitioning into young adulthood, she ventured to Los Angeles to dance with esteemed contemporary companies, making her mark in both print and commercial realms.
Returning to her roots in Northern California in 2002, she founded nationally ranked Estrella Dance Company and The Dance Room. Her artistic journey led her to Colorado, where she assumed the role of Executive Director at the non-profit professional company: Boulder Jazz Dance Collective, Boulder Jazz Dance Workshop, Beyond Motion Dance Convention and Motion Dance Movement. In addition, Helen is currently a faculty member of Artists in Training, Theater Arts Preparatory School, The Branch Dance Experience, Talent on Parade Dance Directive Convention, and Camp ME.
She graces stages as a performer, guest artist, master teacher and choreographer for various professional, student and competition companies around the nation. She has built multiple studios from the ground up, run non-profit professional dance companies, and consulted in both the artistic and administrative fields of the dance industry. Helen is committed to nurturing and inspiring the next generation of dancers and dance educators through individual mentorship and dedication to cultivating their artistic growth and potential.
Talia Markowski
CONTEMPORARY | JAZZ | MODERN | HIP HOP
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Colorado Springs, Colorado
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The Iron Giant
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“Whatever you are, be a good one.”
• Abraham Lincoln
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After establishing career paths in Dallas, Texas, Talia has recently returned to her hometown of Colorado Springs, Colorado continuing to pursue both dance and corporate careers. In May of 2023 Talia graduated with a B.F.A. in Dance Performance and a B.S. in Operations Research Engineering Management from Southern Methodist University. She then continued her education at SMU where she completed her M.S. in Systems Engineering in December 2023. She has performed works by Joy Bollinger, Mark Burrell, Brandi Coleman, Joe Goode, Michelle Gibson, Pascal Rioult, and Pat Taylor, among others. Talia has performed around the US in showcases such as HYPE and Collin College Dance Ensemble in Dallas, Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island, The Women in Dance Conference in Los Angeles,CA, and more while still teaching and choreographing in Colorado to stay connected to her dance roots. She is excited to be back and explore art with the amazing dancers of the Denver area!
Jamie Carr
Ballet
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Denver, Colorado
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Some Like It Hot
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“Be yourself, everyone else is already taken”
• Oscar Wilde
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Jamie Carr is a performer, choreographer, teacher, and action photographer. With a strong background in classical ballet, Jamie graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from California State University Long Beach (CSULB), an Associate’s degree in Photography, and is a nationally certified teacher from the American Ballet Theatre. Jamie has been selected to train and perform nationally and internationally with several high-profile artists during her time at CSULB. Since graduation, Jamie has performed with local Colorado-based company T2 Dance Company and has managed and performed with several Los Angeles contemporary dance companies. She currently is performing with Wild Heart Dance Company and Industrial Dance Alliance, as well as, a teaching artist for Colorado Dance Arts. Additionally, she has established a performance-based contemporary company Authentic: Grooves; with the mission of eliminating preconceived notions about dance and bringing dance to unique spaces and communities. Utilizing the various movement styles and theories discovered in school, Jamie’s choreography is a kinesthetic translation of her imagination. She believes in a holistic, somatic-based approach to movement which feeds her investigation of movement.
Carlos Silva
Hip Hop
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Lima, Peru
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City of God
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“Finding humor in struggles is like finding Wi-Fi in the wilderness—rare, but oh so rewarding!”
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Raised in LIma Peru, where He fell in love with dance, and started learning traditional dances until moving to the US at age 15.
His love for dance reignited in the late 2000s in the University of Colorado with salsa socials, and latin dance workshops and teams.In his mid 20s he discovered a local street dance studio, which started his love for different street dance styles including breaking, popping, house and others.
Have trained,performed, and competed on both urban choreography as well as urban freestyle locally as well as out of state in Arizona. As a teacher He likes to impart freestyle technique and personal movement, as well as fluidity and teamwork seen in choreography teams.
More Faculty Bios to Come...
aDRIENNE SMYTh
Tap
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Parker, Colorado
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Stardust
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“The road to success is always under construction.”
• Lily Tomlin
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Adrienne has been dancing since she was three years old. She has extensive training in many styles, including jazz, contemporary, pom, and tap. She grew up at a small studio in Denver. At around 13 years old, Adrienne began studying tap under Claire Sheek. In addition to developing her technique, she learned extensively about the history and cultural significance of tap as an American artform. In high school, She danced competitively for her school’s dance team while continuing to perform and compete with her local studio. During this time, she also shadowed and assisted other teachers before teaching on her own.
Adrienne currently dances professionally with Rocky Mountain Rhythm, which she joined in 2021. As a member of the company, she’s had opportunities to work with many notable tap dancers, including Barbara Duffy, Donavan Helma, and Anthony LoCasio.
JESSICA PITTMAN
LYRICAL | MODERN | TURNS & LEAPS
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Cedar Springs, Michigan
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The Greatest Showman
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“Love all, trust few, do wrong to none.”
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Jessica Pittman was born October of 1991 in Grand Rapids, MI. Her first eleven years of dance were spent training at a competitive dance studio to be versatile in many styles including jazz, tap, contemporary, modern, hip-hop, lyrical, and ballet. She began teaching in 2007 at her home studio in Michigan where she quickly recognized her passion for encouraging and teaching kids to strive for their fullest potential. She expanded both her technical and performance training by receiving a BA in Dance and a BFA in Painting in 2014 from Grand Valley State University and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Along with dancing for Colorado Opera’s presentation of Aida, she has performed with Denver companies Louder than Words, Davis Contemporary, Maureen Breeze Dance Theater, and Boulder companies 3rd Law Dance Theater, The Schiff Dance Collective and One Big Yes Productions. She is a co-founder and Director of professional dance company, Industrial Dance Alliance.