Reliable Kris, a member of the Colorado Ballet company, saw the necessity of offering ballet to adults who had never trained and to those interested in having fun in the class. She adopted the adult program, which was about to close due to financial challenges. Kris changed the program's structure and made it accessible. Kris started by teaching the evening class after a full day of rehearsal with only two students. Through Kris's commitment, the program grew through two studio moves and 20 years. Kris started offering several classes to adult students in 1998 when she retired from performing. The program covers all experience levels, from beginner to professional/former professional. The adult program's Executive Director suggested in 2002 that Kris run the adult program as a separate entity, still in the Colorado Ballet space. In the summer of 2009, Kris was given a position to move and open her growing adult program into its home as the Denver Dance Center. The center space also allows other professionals and teachers to rent to create and teach. All this time, Kris's experience in teaching is more extensive than just the Colorado Ballet adult programs. She has been a company teacher with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, David Taylor Dance Theater, and a staff teacher at the Denver School of the Arts. She has most recently invited to be a guest instructor for Opus Ballet Camaro Santiago Chile for Aspen Santa Fe Ballet and the Vail International Dance Festival.
Denver Dance Center boasts incredible ballet classes, led by Kris Kehl. Students say that every class is focused, energetic, and engaging, encouraging smoother and improved techniques. Drop-in ballet lessons are fantastic for all levels, and the environment is really welcoming and friendly. The studio is stunning and maintained at a high standard, and safeguarding precautions are taken seriously. Customer support for adult dancers is unmatched. Patrons can find a studio that wants a safe and non-judgmental dance environment, and dancers note the supportive inclusion and sense of belonging there. A student in college said that because of money, she couldn't attend the classes as much as she wanted to. Still, she appreciated that she felt welcome and at ease there, and she only had good stuff to say about the studio. Every comment is good but the experience was finally reviewed positively.
