(HCCD Directors) Rick and Michelle Meehleis are the Directors of High Country Conservatory of Dance (formerly High Country Cloggers). They started the High Country Conservatory of Dance in 1999 in order to develop a professional studio where dancers could progress to the highest levels in dance. Since that time HCCD has received numerous national titles and awards for its excellence in dance. 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 dance 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 competitions along the Front Range and have produced numerous dance productions. They continue to strive for excellence and to improve the quality of dance in Colorado.
Instructors….
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.
Jacey Sisneros:
Jacey Sisneros has been dancing since the age of nine. She is a highly recognized dancer, competitor and performer. In 2007, she was the recipient of the “Joel Ferrel, Outstanding Performance Memorial Award” at the Junior Olympics. In addition to this, she has received numerous national titles in A Capella and Freestyle, including 1st and 2nd place “Overalls” at multiple competitions and national events. Jacey was a member of the Sterling Silver Company when they achieved the title of “Overall National Senior Team” and were recognized by the United States House of Representatives for their expertise in the field of clogging. Jacey’s number one love is to perform. She recently (2008) appeared on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” In addition to performing and competing, she loves sharing her talents with others. Jacey has been teaching since the age of fifteen, and she is currently working towards her National Teacher Certification. Jacey has been a member of the Sterling Silver Company for many years.
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.” 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.
Mallory Buffer:
Mallory started dancing at the age of four with the Boulder Dance Department. She is Russian-classically trained in the Vagonova method of ballet, and exclusively trained for thirteen years. Mallory has also trained in New York under Illia Gaft who danced with the Bolchei Ballet. Her professional performances include: Sleeping Beauty with Boulder Ballet, The Four Little Swans, the Sleeping Beauty fairies, and Paquita. The past eight years she has continued her training in ballet as well as jazz, hip-hop, tap, and modern dance through Grace Studios, the Boulder Expressions Dance Company and Colorado State University. She has taken part in many dance workshops and competitions such as Dance Caravan, Starlight, Co. Dance, West Coast Dance Explosion and Encore. Mallory is currently a senior in the Dance Program at Colorado State University, and she has had the privilege of working with companies and choreographers such as Kim Neal Nofsinger, Hannah Kahn, Hubbard Street 2, the Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet Theatre, and the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Company. She looks forward to continuing her dance education and performance opportunities as well as continuing to educate others through the art of teaching dance.
Diane Haviland:
Diane Haviland is a highly sought after Tap and Jazz choreographer and instructor, with over 25 years of performance and instruction experience on the stage, screen, and in the classroom. Ms. Haviland earned her B.A. in Dance from Western Michigan University, where she was the Principal Dancer for the Western Michigan Ballet Company. After college, she began her choreography and instruction career. She went on to appear in numerous television commercials, and had the honor of tapping with the late Gregory Hines for the promotional tour of “TAP”. She was also a founding member of the Reebok Performance team for the NBA Minnesota Timberwolves. For a number of years, Ms. Haviland served as Professor of Dance at Minnesota Stage University, where she choreographed several musical productions for the stage, including West Side Story and Godspell. Ms. Haviland currently teaches workshops for Dance Masters throughout the U.S. and serves as a judge for National Dance Competitions. IN addition to her traditional dance career, Ms Haviland is also a certified aerobics and Pilates instructor.
Mackenzie Buffer:
Mackenzie Buffer is from Louisville, Colorado where she began dancing at three years of age with the Boulder Parks and Recreation Center. She trained in jazz, and ballet until she began high school and started to dance with Grace Studios School of Dance in Broomfield, Colorado. There she was exposed to jazz, tap, ballet, modern, and hip hop, and placed at multiple competitions around the state. Her love of dance impelled her to start teaching classes her junior year of high school. She has taught ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop to young students at Grace Studios School of Dance, A Dance Place, Dance Dynamics, and recently at High Country Conservatory of Dance. Ms. Buffer is currently a double major in Dance and Speech Communication at Colorado State University, and will graduate in the Spring of 2010.
She has worked with Colorado State University faculty members such as Chung-Fu Chang, Melissa Corr, Lynda White and Carol Roderick, as well as guest artists Katie Elliot, Kim Neal Nofsinger, Gabriel Mason, and Mary Whol Haan. Her choreography has been chosen to perform on the main stage at Colorado State Universities Fall Dance Concert 2007, and the Spring Dance Concert 2008. This is currently her first year on the CSU Tour Dance Company, and has received the opportunity to travel to schools around Colorado and been privileged to collaboratively choreograph with fellow members.
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.
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 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.
Jacey Sisneros has been dancing since the age of nine. She is a highly recognized dancer, competitor and performer. In 2007, she was the recipient of the “Joel Ferrel, Outstanding Performance Memorial Award” at the Junior Olympics. In addition to this, she has received numerous national titles in A Capella and Freestyle, including 1st and 2nd place “Overalls” at multiple competitions and national events. Jacey was a member of the Sterling Silver Company when they achieved the title of “Overall National Senior Team” and were recognized by the United States House of Representatives for their expertise in the field of clogging. Jacey’s number one love is to perform. She recently (2008) appeared on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” In addition to performing and competing, she loves sharing her talents with others. Jacey has been teaching since the age of fifteen, and she is currently working towards her National Teacher Certification. Jacey has been a member of the Sterling Silver Company for many years.
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.” 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.
Mallory started dancing at the age of four with the Boulder Dance Department. She is Russian-classically trained in the Vagonova method of ballet, and exclusively trained for thirteen years. Mallory has also trained in New York under Illia Gaft who danced with the Bolchei Ballet. Her professional performances include: Sleeping Beauty with Boulder Ballet, The Four Little Swans, the Sleeping Beauty fairies, and Paquita. The past eight years she has continued her training in ballet as well as jazz, hip-hop, tap, and modern dance through Grace Studios, the Boulder Expressions Dance Company and Colorado State University. She has taken part in many dance workshops and competitions such as Dance Caravan, Starlight, Co. Dance, West Coast Dance Explosion and Encore. Mallory is currently a senior in the Dance Program at Colorado State University, and she has had the privilege of working with companies and choreographers such as Kim Neal Nofsinger, Hannah Kahn, Hubbard Street 2, the Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet Theatre, and the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Company. She looks forward to continuing her dance education and performance opportunities as well as continuing to educate others through the art of teaching dance.
Mackenzie Buffer is from Louisville, Colorado where she began dancing at three years of age with the Boulder Parks and Recreation Center. She trained in jazz, and ballet until she began high school and started to dance with Grace Studios School of Dance in Broomfield, Colorado. There she was exposed to jazz, tap, ballet, modern, and hip hop, and placed at multiple competitions around the state. Her love of dance impelled her to start teaching classes her junior year of high school. She has taught ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop to young students at Grace Studios School of Dance, A Dance Place, Dance Dynamics, and recently at High Country Conservatory of Dance. Ms. Buffer is currently a double major in Dance and Speech Communication at Colorado State University, and will graduate in the Spring of 2010.
