Colorado Ballet Academy Choreographic Workshop in Aspen 2026
Workshop Takes Place July 14-July 23, 2026, and Culminates in a Public Performance at the District Theatre
DENVER, CO (June 2, 2026) – Colorado Ballet Academy’s (CBA) 2026 Choreographic Workshop will offer students a mountain retreat experience in Aspen, CO. Held July 14-July 23, 2026, the workshop culminates in a public performance on July 21 at the District Theatre (235 High School Rd, Aspen, CO 8161).
An immersive experience, the Choreographic Workshop is designed to simulate the life of a professional dancer. A total of 40 students will attend. The public performance will consist of two levels of students each premiering one classical and one contemporary-based piece.
“At Colorado Ballet Academy, we believe that true artistic and technical growth happens on stage,” said Academy Director Erica Fischbach. “Live performance gives students the invaluable opportunity to apply their training in a dynamic, professional setting. During the Choreographic Workshop, both new works and classical repertoire are thoughtfully choreographed and tailored to each student’s abilities, while also challenging them to push beyond their boundaries. This experience not only strengthens their technique but also fosters the artistry and confidence they need as emerging dancers.”
About The Choreographic Workshop
Set in the stunning mountain town of Aspen, the 2026 Choreographic Workshop offers aspiring professional dancers the opportunity to train and perform in a company-style environment, surrounded by the awe-inspiring beauty that only Colorado can offer.
After training rigorously during the Academy’s Summer Intensive, students participating in the Choreographic Workshop will learn several new works culminating in a premiere performance at the District Theatre in Aspen, Colorado.
While in Aspen, students will go out on excursions to Maroon Bells, Aspen Music Festival, and in Downtown Aspen. They also will take part in fireside chats with our CBA Teaching Staff and Guest Instructors.
All students in the Choreographic Workshop will have the opportunity to take a master class with Colorado Ballet Artistic Director Gil Boggs, who will assess students for possible Trainee and Colorado Ballet Studio Company positions.
Colorado Ballet is thrilled to partner with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, whose support in providing studio space helps make the Choreographic Workshop possible.
About the Choreographers
Maria A. Konrad
Maria A. Konrad received “Outstanding Choreographer” recognition for her body of work at the YAGP 2022 International Finals. She has been a guest teacher for institutions such as The Joffrey Ballet, Nashville Ballet, and Youth America Grand Prix. She also hosts the series Barre Talk for So’Danca on YouTube, where she chats with the biggest names in dance.
Whitney Popp
Whitney Popp spent five years as a principal dancer with Sacramento Ballet performing lead roles such as Odette/Odile in Swan Lake. She was discovered by Twyla Tharp and joined Twyla Tharp Dance, becoming one of Twyla’s leading principals. Whitney also joined the 1st Nat’l Broadway tour of Movin’ Out. She is a co-founder of Lightwire Theater, which finished in the semifinals of “America's Got Talent.”
Robert Sher-Machherndl
Robert Sher-Machherndl is an internationally renowned choreographer, master teacher, and Director of Lemon Spongecake Contemporary Ballet. As Principal Dancer with Dutch National Ballet and Bavarian State Ballet, he mastered repertoire from George Balanchine and John Cranko. He was awarded Dance Person of the Year by The Denver Post and is a four-time winner of the New York Ballet Builders Choreography Award.
Performance Information
Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased at coloradoballet.org or call Patron Services at (303) 339-1637 to purchase tickets.
The public performance for Colorado Ballet Academy’s Choreographic Workshop will take place on July 21, 2026, at 4 p.m. at the District Theatre (199 High School Rd, Aspen, CO 81611).
About Colorado Ballet Academy
Founded in 1951 by Lillian Covillo and Freidann Parker, Colorado Ballet Academy (CBA) is the official school of Colorado Ballet. Under the leadership of Colorado Ballet Artistic Director Gil Boggs and Academy Director Erica Fischbach, the Raydean Acevedo Colorado Ballet Academy (CBA), is the region’s premier source for ballet training and currently serves over 1,200 students from toddlers to seniors each year. CBA’s unique relationship with the professional company and artistic staff of Colorado Ballet provides superior faculty who are dedicated to developing and inspiring each child to reach their full potential. Aspiring pre-professional students along with those who simply enjoy dance and wish to gain the benefits of studying this classical art form receive the highest caliber ballet instruction in an environment that fosters excellence, individuality, and creativity. CBA’s curriculum is grounded in formal classical ballet technique and follows the traditional classical sequence of training intended to increase each student’s technical skill, stamina, and artistry. Elements of the Russian, French and Italian schools are taught according to age and physical development, resulting in finished dancers with clean and virtuosic technique, brilliant artistry, stylistic versatility, and the prowess to thrive in the diverse choreographic demands of today. Colorado Ballet Academy also offered focused training for male dancers starting at age 6, with specialized technique and conditioning designed to support the physicality and athleticism necessary to succeed in the professional field of ballet.
About Colorado Ballet
Presenting exceptional classical ballet and innovative contemporary dance through performances, training, education and community engagement, Colorado Ballet continues to inspire and grow an increasingly diverse audience base in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1961 by Lillian Covillo and Freidann Parker, Colorado Ballet is a non-profit organization celebrating 65 years of excellence. As a world-class professional company serving more than 100,000 national and international patrons, Colorado Ballet presents 58 performances annually to sold-out audiences in the 2,000-seat Ellie Caulkins Opera House. The Company’s 40 professional dancers and 20 studio company dancers come from all over the world. Colorado Ballet’s The Armstrong Center for Dance, a 35,000-square-foot building, boasts eight state-of-the-art professional dance studios and amenities for the professional Company.
Under the direction of Artistic Director Gil Boggs, Colorado Ballet performs classical ballet masterpieces, full-length story ballets and its critically acclaimed repertory production MasterWorks, featuring varied works from neoclassical ballets to world premieres. The Raydean Acevedo Colorado Ballet Academy serves more than 1,200 students from toddlers to seniors each year. Colorado Ballet’s Education & Community Engagement offers programs to students and community members, making more than 40,000 contacts and reaching over 200 schools and organizations annually. Participants come from a variety of backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses including youth, families, teachers, and people with and without disabilities. For more information, please visit coloradoballet.org.
