meet the staff
Jen Jarnot
Owner & Artistic Director
Jennifer Jarnot is the owner and Artistic Director of Artistic Fusion Dance Academy and has been sharing her passion and knowledge of dance for over 34 years. Her early training took her from New York to Los Angeles to study with top educators and choreographers.
For the past 24 years, Artistic Fusion has been her heart and soul and she has trained dancers to go on to successful careers in the dance industry, Broadway, The Juilliard School, Universities, and beyond.
She is still a student herself in yoga, and Pilates is an active volunteer in her community, and still teaches every day in her studio, as her heart is in the classroom with the kids. She is dedicated to excellence in the studio and is proud of the amazing dancers her studio trains.She is also the founder of The Mindjuice Podcast, a podcast for dancers that offers motivation, inspiration, and perspective to dancers, teachers, and studio owners.
Office Staff
Angie Reddy - Office Manager
A dance mom of two former Artistic Fusion dancers, Brittany and Brooklyn, Angie has a big heart and infectious smile. Angie and her husband, Bob, can be found frequently in the stands at CU Buffs football games and shouting "SKOBUFFS".
Hannah Orff - Office Support and Instructor
Hannah has over 20 years of dance experience, including receiving a minor in dance from Louisiana State University. She grew up dancing in Houston, where she served as president of her dance studio’s company, developing leadership skills alongside her passion for movement. Beyond the studio, Hannah is a dedicated advocate for youth social and emotional learning, working in education at a local nonprofit to empower and support young learners. She is excited to bring her love for dance and mentorship to the studio, helping students grow both as dancers and individuals. Hannah believes that the lessons learned in the studio extend far beyond dance, shaping confidence, discipline, and leadership that dancers will carry with them throughout their lives.
Staff
Bailey Mutschler - PrePRO Director
Originally from Colorado, Bailey’s infectious smile and love for movement follow her wherever she goes. Bailey graduated from Artistic Fusion Dance Academy, as well as Denver School of the Arts in 2015. She then went on to receive her BFA in dance from the Conservatory of Dance at SUNY Purchase College in New York and has danced worldwide including in Berlin, Italy, and at the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts.
Since graduating, Bailey has danced with New Dialect, a renowned contemporary company in Nashville, TN. as well as worked closely with artists such as Alex Ketley, Rosie Herrera, Bobbi Jene Smith, Shannon Gillen, Maxine Doyle, and many more. Bailey is proficient in Cunningham technique, Graham technique, and Limon technique, however, her training in contemporary, Gaga and improvisation makes up most of her love for dance. Her classes combine all of her training to allow dancers the ability to find freedom and depth in themselves.
Maya Butler - Ballet Director
A dual-citizen of Poland and the U.S., Maya Butler is a bilingual dance artist and educator. She graduated from the Accelerated Dance Program at Cornish College of the Arts, earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance in the spring of 2020.
Maya has had the privilege of working and training with esteemed organizations such as Colorado Ballet, State Street Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Lemon Spongecake. Additionally, she has received individualized mentorship from renowned artists, including Gilbert Small from Ballet BC, Norbert De La Cruz III, and Naomi Glass from Pacific Northwest Ballet, among others. Her extensive training further expanded through opportunities to dance and perform in Poland, where she collaborated with a diverse range of European artists, including Pascale Autrand and Aleksandra Liashenko.
Maya's profound passion for dance, coupled with her genuine care for her students, distinguishes her as an exceptional teacher.
Emily Schulz - Company Director
Bio coming soon!
Brittany Coleman - Instructor
Brittany is a passionate and innovative dance teacher/choreographer with 12 years of experience. Brittany started her dance training at the age of two at Artistic Fusion Dance Academy in Colorado and is well versed in pom, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, ballet, and tap. She has worked with well known choreographers such as Sonya Tayeh, Jason Parsons, Travis Wall, Brian Freedman, Napoleon and Tabitha D’Umo, Joey Dowling and many more. She was recognized as an Outstanding Dancer for New York City Dance Alliance and traveled to New York, NY to participate in their elite national program twice. She has also traveled to Chicago, IL with Hall of Fame Dance to participate in their National All-Star program, and was a continuous West Coast Dance Explosion Elite Dancer participating in their national programs.
Brittany continued her dance career on her high school team and as a member of the University of Colorado Dance Team. Brittany has worked with multiple high school teams around Colorado teaching technique classes and choreographing competitive routines, and also worked for Universal Dance Association as an instructor.
Brittany has choreographed routines placing in the Top 5 and Top 10 at the CHSAA State Competition. In 2022, Brittany became the Head Coach of the Roosevelt High School Pom Team in Johnstown, Colorado. Her choreography and coaching has brought the team 4 consecutive State Championships in 4A Pom (2021-2024), and a 7th place finish in Small Varsity DII Pom at the 2025 UDA National Dance Team Championship. The team also placed 7th in Small Varsity DII Game Day at the 2024 UDA National Dance Team Championship. She is also currently a professional choreographer for Tribe99.
Koko Buckley - Company Asst. Director
Koko, originally from CO, has been dancing since she was 2 and is an Artistic Fusion alumni. After receiving her college degree in Business Marketing, she joined the Artistic Fusion faculty and has been a teacher at the studio since 2015. She has been involved with Full Time Company, Part Time Company, and Open classes and recently has dedicated her time to directing the Part Time Company. Artistic Fusion was her home and such an important part of her life and feels so grateful to be able to teach the next generation of AFDA kids!
Mindy Ricketts - Acro Instructor
Mindy Ricketts, an acro, stretch, strength, and flexibility instructor has been professionally teaching in the DFW area for several years. Her home studio for the past seven years has been at the famous, blue check mark, Beyond Belief Dance Company. She created their acro program from scratch, working alongside the director, Justin Johnson (AKA Alyssa Edwards). Her work is reflected through all the dancers on the Original Netflix Series Dancing Queen where she and her Daughter Brooke can be seen in each episode, and exclusively featured in episode 5. Her passion for teaching is evident in the classroom. Her extensive knowledge of acro and proper dance techniques creates limitless possibilities for her students.
Brooke Ricketts - Instructor
Brooke Ricketts is a dynamic and accomplished dancer with over 20 years of experience in the dance world. Starting at the age of two, Brooke has dedicated their life to the art of dance, developing a versatile skill set in various styles, including jazz, hip hop, and contemporary. They have performed on prestigious platforms, including being a current NBA dancer and a former NLL dancer. Brooke also made a memorable appearance on the hit Netflix show Dancing Queen, showcasing their passion and commitment to the craft.
A proud alum of Beyond Belief Dance Company in Dallas, Texas, Brooke has honed her technical skills and performance artistry under the guidance of some of the best in the industry. With a rich background in competitive dance and professional performances, Brooke brings a wealth of experience and dedication to every class, inspiring others to reach their full potential.
Austin Marquez - Hip Hop Instructor
Austin Marquez is a choreographer and teaching artist whose work has been seen on Off-Broadway stages, at festivals around New York City, and on screen in several music videos. As a performer, he has appeared in the immersive theatrical experience Zerospace, the Off-Broadway premieres of GEEKS! The Musical and MANIFESTO: The Diaghilev Project, and premiered his original work STAGES at LaMaMa Experimental Theatre last spring. He earned his MFA in Dance from Hunter College, BFA in Musical Theatre from Marymount Manhattan College and is currently developing the dance program at Red Rocks Community College in Colorado.
Courtney Dagayev - Strength and Conditioning Instructor
Courtney Dagayev, an Atlanta native, has been immersed in the world of dance since the age of three. Growing up as a competitive dancer, she went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a Minor in Dance from the University of Central Florida in 2013.
Throughout college, Courtney thrived as a performer, teacher, and choreographer, ultimately discovering her true passion—educating the next generation of dancers. In 2012, she founded The Knights and Damsels Dance Company, the first technique-based dance organization at UCF. She later played a key role in launching and developing Skyra Studios in Orlando, FL, in 2017, where she led the commercial competition team and choreographed contemporary works for the ballet conservatory. In 2020, she relocated to Denver to continue expanding her impact in the dance community.
Courtney has choreographed for top talent in both ballet and commercial competitions and has served as a judge for multiple dance competitions. Certified in Pilates and Acrobatic Arts, she is dedicated to educating dancers on the strength and flexibility needed to master proper technique.
Scott Autry - Contemporary Instructor
Scott is a 2022 graduate of The Juilliard School and an Artistic Associate with the Gibney Company from 2022 to 2023. He has been able to share the work of choreographers including Ohad Naharin, Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar, Bobbi Jene Smith, Aszure Barton, Johan Inger and Lea Ved. He was selected as the 2022 Juilliard Choreographic Fellow for the inaugural collaboration between LaGuardia Dance and Juilliard Dance and was honored to receive the Héctor Zaraspe Prize from the Juilliard Dance Department for demonstrating outstanding talent and development as a choreographer. Autry recently created “a space to see” choreographic residency as his Moving Towards Justice fellowship project to support young, queer creators develop deeper roots in their own artistic voice. He is a native of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Madalina Varlam - Ballroom Instructor
Madalina Varlam Lettig has been dancing competitive ballroom since the early age of 6. Since then winning numerous Canadian titles in 10-Dance Ballroom and appearing in shows all over North America. She and her partner currently compete in the US National Professional 9-dance category in which they share a rare title of 2 time National Professional 9-Dance Finalists in the United States with a select few in this prestigious and tough field. They are also Rising Star Rhythm and Smooth finalists at prestigious events around the US including current Ohio Star Ball finalists. Madalina is excited to share her art and passion with you.
Natalia Magnicaballi - Resident Ballet Instructor
Natalia Magnicaballi born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, has achieved a remarkable feat in the world of ballet, becoming the only principal dancer ever to lead two major ballet companies in the United States simultaneously for nearly two decades. She led The Suzanne Farrell Ballet from its inception in 1999 until 2017, while also leading Ballet Arizona from 2002 to 2018. A graduate of Teatro Colón, Natalia attained the status of principal dancer at the young age of 19. Her professional journey has taken her across six continents, where she has performed in over 400 venues, ranging from main houses to opera theaters and arenas. From the illustrious Paris Opera Garnier, and the breathtaking Odeon of Herodes Atticus Theatre to the historic Mariinsky Theatre, Natalia's talent and versatility have captivated audiences worldwide, earning acclaim from international media. Renowned for her mastery of 38 Balanchine ballets and the most beloved classical works, she has also left her mark on premieres by esteemed choreographers globally. Notably, in Europe, Natalia created and performed principal roles with the revered Italian company Aterballeto for two seasons.
Tatyana Yatsenko - Ballet Instructor
Tatyana Yatsenko is an accomplished ballet dancer with over twenty two
years experience performing solos and other leading roles in many
classical ballets. Tatyana was a Principal Dancer with the Moscow Classical Ballet Theatre for over ten years. She was a Principal Dancer with the New Jersey Ballet Company for twelve years. She graduated from the Moscow Academic Choreographic College (today the Moscow Academy of Choreography) and has been received recognition for her achievements in ballet, including from the International Competition (Dushanbe, Tajikistan) named after Malika Sabirova and the Al Bustan International Festival of Music and the Arts (Beit Mery, Lebanon). Tatyana has been a member of numerous international tours, including performances in the USA, Russia, Japan, France, Italy, Spain, Norway, Belgium, China, Mexico, Canada, Germany, Turkey and Holland. Tatyana has been providing professional ballet teaching for more than twenty years at many ballet schools including New Jersey School of Ballet, Dance Academy of North Jersey and Rocky Mountain Ballet Academy.
Testimonials
"My young child has been taking ballet class here she always has so much fun and just adores her teacher Miss Jen. Every week she looks forward to her class and wants to go every day if she could!"
Lanie M.
We absolutely love AFDA all the staff are amazing and truly have a passion for what they do. All the students are so nice and welcoming.
Kendra S.
Contact Us
ADDRESS
5660 W 88th Ave, Westminster, CO 80031
Mon – Fri : 3:00pm – 9:00pm
Saturday : 9:00am – 1:00pm
Sunday : Closed
About
Artistic Fusion Dance Academy is a children's dance studio located in Westminster with an award-winning team dedicated to providing the best dance instruction whilst also empowering tomorrow's leaders.
Opening Hours
Mon – Fri : 3:00pm – 9:00pm
Saturday : 9:00am – 1:00pm
Sunday : Closed
