Professional Dancers

 

MARIA BARRY

Maria has been dancing since the age of four. She danced professionally in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, California, and Aruba. She also preformed professionally in musical theater in Denver and Vail, Colorado. Maria has trained and taught West Coast Swing and Ballroom in the Vail Valley for the past 5 years. She has taught dance and choreographed for musical theater for the last fourteen years. Maria now teaches at the Vail Valley Academy dance and is the assistant resident choreographer for the Vail Performing Arts Academy.

This is Maria's second year performing for the Star Dancing Gala.

 

COLIN MEIRING

Artistic Director, Choreographer and Professional Dancer
Colin Meiring started his Performing Arts career at the age of six, competing in Ballroom dancing and won every National title in South Africa. Colin represented his Country in Blackpool and the World Championships for 10 years. He diversified into musical theatre, television & film and performed in National tours of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Grease, Camelot, A Chorus Line, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Smokey Joes Café. Colin has performed on Broadway and in the national tour of Fosse and choreographed for Walter Painter Productions in LA and was assistant choreographer in the 2002 Grammy awards.

Colin gained International experience performing with Ertha Kit, Ben Vereen, Gloria Estefan, Mary Wilson and Tony Danza while Entertaining for Royal Caribbean and Silversea Cruises. Colin is now the Director for the Vail Performing Arts Academy, instilling confidence, creativity and co-operation into the local youth of Vail and he also teaches dance at the Vail Valley Academy Dance in Edwards, the Avon Recreation Centre and the Colorado Mountain College. Colin also teaches cotillion and drama at the Eagle County Charter School.

This is Colin's second year performing for the Star Dancing Gala.

 

MARK PENNINGTON

Mark Pennington, from northern Illinois, began his dancing career at the tender age of 32. During a time when Mark was looking for a change of pace in his life, he began taking group exercise classes that quickly exposed Mark’s full body rhythm and foot speed. From there his dancing career began when he accepted a part time position in a restaurant which required line dancing and singing. After only a few short months of practice and working as a restaurant performer, Mark was hooked. Since then he has taught line dancing and patterned partner dances at a local community center, and has attended nationally sanctioned conventions for learning and competing in a variety of dance genres. Fourteen years later, Mark is still having fun! He uses dancing as an excuse to take weekend trips to any where with a good honky-tonk: Nashville, Atlanta, Dallas, San Antonio, Sarasota, Denver and the list goes on. Mark brings a great attitude, a passion for dance, and an enthusiasm to help children in our community gain a love for dance, as Mark himself has!

This is Mark's second year performing for the Star Dancing Gala.

 

AMY WENTWORTH

Amy started dance and gymnastics at the age of four. She spent 8 years as a competitive ballroom and latin dancer based out of studios in New York and New Jersey. Amy now enjoys performing for local events in the Vail Valley and dancing for the pure love of it. She has a 2 year old son who now occupies most of her spare time, however she still enjoys the outdoors, reading and spending time with family and friends.

This is Amy's second year performing for the Star Dancing Gala.

 

GREGOR

Gregor is a practiced Argentine Tango dancer.  His mastery of the musicality and subtle nuances of the dance are difficult to find in a gentleman so young.  His passion for the dance and ability to share his knowledge benefit the tango community on a continuing  basis.  in addition to dancing beautifully, Gregor speaks three languages and has numerous degrees.  He brings joy to everything and everyone in his life.

Gregor is from Glenwood Springs and will be dancing with Lissa Tyler who has been training under Lesly Adams, a professional dance instructor from Glenwood Springs who has also choreographed this dance number.

JOHN WITHEE

John Withee is a recent arrival in Colorado. He has been dancing for over 25 years beginning in Maine where he started dancing at the age of 15 with his Mom and her friends at the local community center. He started building his extensive instructional video collection and practiced using the advice and teachings of professionals. John’s teaching began a year later with Line Dancing, Two Step, East Coast Swing, Waltz, Cha-Cha and all other ballroom dances.

After a move to the Southeast US he taught group and private lessons in Line Dancing, Two Step and Country Couples Dances in Sommerville, South Carolina and Chattanooga, Tennessee. After a move to Atlanta, he competed in the Country Circuit at the Orange Blossom and Dixie events while continuing to teach private lessons.

John learned West Coast Swing in 2002 with professional training and videos, was involved in community dance events for fund raising and makeover competitions, and danced in the Peach State Competition. Upon his arrival in Grand Junction with his Australian Cattle Dog, Asher, he began teaching in the Grand Valley and Aspen. He is competing in the Swing Circuit in Denver and is actively involved with charity event fundraisers.

John is a professional carpenter by trade in home building, remodeling and new construction. Other interests include: coaching youth sports, fitness instructor and trainer, Sunday school teacher, horseback riding, hiking, and travel.

LESLY ADAMS

details coming soon...