Palm Arts Dance: “Ms. Shirley” Artistic Director + Recital

11 Dec Palm Arts Dance: “Ms. Shirley” Artistic Director + Recital

Palm Arts Dance  winter recital, Sparkle, takes place on Sunday, December 15, 2 p.m.

Now in its third year of operation, the Palm Arts Dance Program has named Shirley Fortenberry to the position of artistic director. In that capacity, Ms. Fortenberry will be responsible for conceiving, developing, and implementing the artistic vision and focus of the dance program. She will oversee class composition and instruction.

“Ms. Shirley,” as she is called by all of her dancers, has been involved in dance in Telluride for the past 20 years.

Shirley began her dance training in the UK with the Royal Academy of Dance. When she was eight years old, she emigrated to Australia and continued her studies at the Royal Academy of Dance, receiving its highest award, the Solo Seal, at age 16. She then joined the Australian Ballet Company and danced in the corps de ballet before moving to London to join the London Festival Ballet. A gig with the London City Ballet, where Shirley was one of the founding members, followed. She continued to dance soloist and principal roles with that company for eight years.

After retiring from performance, Shirley moved to Telluride in the early 1990s and started the Telluride Dance Academy. She retired from full-time teaching to raise her two children, although she continued teaching many classes intermittently over the last decade. Shirley is certified in both R.A.D and ABT dance techniques.

“We are thrilled to have Shirley at the helm of our successful and growing program,” states Kathy Jepson, administrative director of the Palm Arts Dance program. “Shirley brings a wealth of experience, a contagious love of dance and a dedication to her students and dance education in general to the Palm Arts Dance program. We are committed to providing excellence in dance education and Shirley’s guidance will prove invaluable as we continue to expand our class offerings and performance opportunities.”

Housed in the Telluride High School and Palm Theatre spaces, Palm Arts Dance offers a full range of dance classes, including ballet, hip hop, jazz, modern and tap, for students ages 3+. With easy access to the Palm Theatre stage, there are great opportunities for dancers to gain stage experience at a young age through student demonstrations and recitals.

Palm Arts Dance program’s upcoming winter recital, Sparkle, takes place Sunday, December 15 at 2 p.m. The program will showcase the talent of over 115 local dancers, who perform 18 distinct pieces. The dedication and vision of choreographers – “Miss Shirley,” Keri Sutton, Jessica Galbo, and Lyndia Peralta – will be evident in this holiday prelude.

Students have been busy preparing for the last 12 weeks, and are ready to take the stage donned in full holiday costuming. Not only have they learned their steps, but built into the study of dance and the recital process, students gain stage etiquette, confidence, and decorum with each performance. As Ms. Shirley tells her students:

“When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the stage. It is to enjoy each step along the way!”