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the Sterling Silver Dance Company

Sterling Silver Dance Company:

Sterling Silver is a “Clogging” dance company. For anyone only familiar with the traditional, square dancing style, Sterling Silver is out to prove to the world, that clogging has come a long way from barns and calico dresses. Clogging is America’s National Folkdance, and has evolved into a high energy modern form of dance that is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing dance forms in the country.

Sterling Silver Company started back in 1999 in a neighborhood garage. From that time, they have risen from their humble beginnings to become national champions and a highly recognized company. Over the years many of their members have toured nationally and internationally including week-long engagements in Branson, Missouri & Italy. They have also performed in shows in Taiwan, California, Florida, Nevada, Wyoming, and many venues in the state of Colorado. Recently they were featured in 2008 on NBC’s hit reality show, “America’s Got Talent.” Sterling Silver is known for their unique style, powerful footwork, amazing costumes, and cutting-edge choreography.

Michelle Meehleis & Meghan (Meehleis) Knighton: (Sterling Silver Artistic Directors)

Michelle Meehleis & Meghan (Meehleis) Knighton have been a choreography duo for the past fifteen years, and Artistic Directors of the Sterling Silver Company for the past nine years. Over that time, they have received national top awards for their choreography. Their choreography has being featured in such highly acclaimed shows as the hit NBC show, “America’s Got Talent,” and “Evening of Percussive Dance.” Michelle and Meghan are recognized for their creative choreography in their epic productions and unique dance combinations. Before the company was developed, Meghan & Michelle specialized in competition choreography. They received national overall titles for their choreography, including Grand Champion Overalls for their rendition of the highly acclaimed song, “Phantom of the Opera.” Michelle, in 2004, was inducted into the NCHC All Star Hall of Fame for her contributions to the art form of clogging. On October 8, 2008, both Meghan and Michelle were recognized before the United States House of Representatives for their contribution to the arts. Michelle Meehleis is also the Co-director of High Country Conservatory of Dance in Fort Collins.

Directors/Artistic Directors….

Rick & Michelle Meehleis: (Sterling Silver Company Directors)

Rick and Michelle Meehleis are the Sterling Silver Company Directors. They have been involved in clogging for many years. They started the Sterling Silver Company in 1999. Since that time it has received numerous national titles and awards for its excellence in clogging. Rick and Michelle were inducted into the NCHC “Hall of Fame” (a nationally recognized organization for clogging in the United States) for their contributions to the dance form of clogging in America. They were also recognized on October 28, 2003 in front of the House of Representatives in Washington D.C. for their “remarkable examples of dedication, strong family-values, and achievement.” Rick and Michelle have hosted several national clogging competitions along the Front Range and have produced numerous percussive dance productions. They continue to strive for excellence and to improve the quality of dance in Colorado.

Michelle Meehleis & Meghan (Meehleis) Knighton: (Sterling Silver Artistic Directors)

Michelle Meehleis & Meghan (Meehleis) Knighton have been a choreography duo for the past fifteen years, and Artistic Directors of the Sterling Silver Company for the past nine years. Over that time, they have received national top awards for their choreography. Their choreography has being featured in such highly acclaimed shows as the hit NBC show, “America’s Got Talent,” & and “Evening of Percussive Dance.” Michelle and Meghan are recognized for their creative choreography in their epic productions and unique dance combinations. Before the company was developed, Meghan & Michelle specialized in competition choreography. They received national overall titles for their choreography, including Grand Champion Overalls for their rendition of the highly acclaimed song, “Phantom of the Opera.” Michelle, in 2004, was inducted into the NCH

All Star Hall of Fame for her contributions to the art form of clogging. On October 8, 2008, both Meghan and Michelle were recognized before the United States House of Representatives for their contribution to the arts. Michelle Meehleis is also the Co-director of High Country Conservatory of Dance in Fort Collins.

Company Members….

Meghan (Meehleis) Knighton:

Meghan Knighton has been dancing for twenty years and teaching for eleven. Over the years she has competed and performed extensively. Although she has performed all across the country, some of her “high-light” performances have included week long engagements in Branson, Missouri, a ten day tour in Italy, and recently (2008) performing on the hit reality show, NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” Although her love is performing, she also has competed for many years. In her competition travels she has received individual awards, as well as numerous team awards. Meghan is a part of the National Overall Senior Team, Sterling Silver. She is a creative choreographer, and many of her choreographed routines have received high honors at various venues around the country! “Phantom of the Opera,” a dance she choreographed with Michelle Meehleis (Director of the High Country Conservatory of Dance) received numerous “Overall” awards. Meghan loves to teach and has coached many award winning teams. On October 28, 2003, Meghan was among a select group that was recognized for their achievements by the United States House of Representatives. On November 22, 2006, Meghan received her designation as a nationally “Certified Clogging Instructor” by The National Clogging Leaders Organization, Inc. She is currently working to complete her Bachelor’s Degree in Dance at Colorado State University.

Justin Meehleis:

Justin Meehleis, a member of the “Sterling Silver Company,” has been dancing for the past twenty years and teaching for ten of them. His love of rhythm is demonstrated fully by his clean footwork and outstanding sounds. Four out of the past five years at the NCHC (a national clogging championship competition), Justin has been the “Overall” A Capella soloist at the competitions. He also received the award for “2nd Place” A Capella champion at the Junior Olympics in 2007. Justin is the A Capella choreographer for the High Country Conservatory of Dance. He enjoys teaching and working with the teams, as well as each individual student.

Justin loves to perform! He has performed extensively around the country as well as nationally. He was asked to perform in Italy and has taught at schools in Taiwan. In 2008, Justin performed with Sterling Silver Company on the reality show “America’s Got Talent,” where he placed in the top 44 in the nation (his team was chosen as an “alternate”). On November 22, 2006, Justin was designated as a “Certified Clogging Instructor” by The National Clogging Leaders Organization, Inc. Justin is currently enrolled at Colorado State University, where he is majoring in business.

Amberley Meehleis:

Amberley Meehleis is one of the original Sterling Silver Company members. Her love for dance began at the age of four and has continued to flourish throughout the years. She is known for her clogging expertise, talent, and unbelievable sounds. Amberley held the title of National Grand Champion A Capella Soloist for 2006 and has received numerous “Grand Champion” awards at many competitions around the country. She has had the opportunity to dance throughout Italy where she represented American Dance at folk festivals in the country. She has performed across the United States and was recently (2008) seen on the hit NBC show, “America’s Got Talent.” For the past six years, Amberley has enjoyed sharing her expertise while teaching at the High Country Conservatory of Dance. Many of her students and her personal choreography have received national titles, honors, and awards. On November 22, 2006, The National Clogging Leaders Organization, Inc. designated Amberley as a nationally “Certified Clogging Instructor.” She was also recognized by the United States House of Representatives on October 28, 2003, for her achievements in this field. Currently, she is working towards an Arts Degree.

Caitlynn Meehleis:

Caitlynn has been dancing for 12 years. Throughout this span of time, she has received many national titles and awards. She received the following awards at nationally sponsored events: Junior Overall Champion A Capella Soloist (Top Ten), 2nd Overall A Capella Soloist (Junior Olympics), 1st place Overall Short Duo (Junior Olympics), and has been a member of the National Overall Senior Team, Sterling Silver. Although Caitlynn does well in competition, her number one love is performing. Recently (2008) she has been featured on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” Caitlynn has performed extensively around the United States, including (for several years) a week long engagement in Branson, Missouri. In addition to performing, she has been a leading instructor at the High Country Conservatory of Dance. She is currently working towards her national teaching certification. Caitlynn takes her teaching job very seriously; she thoroughly enjoys her students, and they have received many top “overall” awards at national competitions. Caitlynn is currently working towards her bachelor’s degree.

Ashlee Meehleis:

Ashlee Meehleis has been a Sterling Silver Company member for Seven years. During that time she has won many solo, duet, & team titles and performed extensively. For multiple years she was the Grand Champion Overall Junior Duet title holder with her partner Nick Hahn. In addition to this, she held many A Capella Solo & Short Duet titles. Ashlee was a member of the Sterling Silver Group when it achieved the title of National Grand Champion Senior Team. In 2008, Ashlee was shown on NBC’s hit reality show, America’s Got Talent. In addition to competing, she has performed extensively throughout the U.S., including week long engagements in Branson, Missouri. Ashlee is currently working to finish up her education, and teaches at High Country Conservatory of Dance in Fort Collins.

Nick Hahn:

Nick Hahn has been a Sterling Silver Company member for three years and has been dancing for ten. From the beginning, he was considered a “natural” by his instructors. Over the years he has received the titles of National Overall Junior Duet & Short Duet Champion with his partner Ashlee Meehleis, 1st Overall Freestyle Champion, A Capella Champion, and more! Nick was also a member of the Sterling Silver Company when it received the title of National Grand Champion Senior Team. He has performed extensively around the United States, including a week long performance in Branson, Missouri. Most recently (2008) Nick appeared on NBC’s America’s Got Talent.

Briar Meehleis:

At eight years old, Briar was introduced to clogging, and she was hooked! Since that time she has performed, competed, and taught on a regular basis. She has placed “Overall” at national competitions for numerous dance team routines as well as participating in the Junior Olympics (where she placed “1st Place” in Show along with her team). In 2008 she performed on national television on “America’s Got Talent.” Out of 200,000 acts trying out, she was included in the top 44 acts. She was placed, along with her team members, as an “alternate” for the show. Briar is a member of the High Country Conservatory of Dance Company, “Sterling Silver” and has taught classes for the last five years. She loves to teach and is very passionate about the dance form of clogging. Currently, Briar is working on her “Certified Clogging Instructor” certification, and is attending the University of Colorado where she is working on her BSN in nursing.