Meet the Team
You’re in Great Hands
Crystal Ashe
Owner and Creative Director
Crystal has owned and directed HADA since it’s conception in 2011. Growing up in Appalachia, she trained with Fletcher School of Dance under instruction and direction of Peggy Fletcher, Nicole Kmezca, and Tracy Raper, as well as Asheville Center of Performing Arts under the instruction of Nicole Kmezca. She had the honor of experiencing guest instruction from a first generation Balanchine dancer, Melissa Hayden at North Carolina School of The Arts Master Classes. After being a soloist and corps member of the Asheville City Ballet, she attended Walters State Community College and Western Colorado University, where she obtained a bachelors degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Elementary Education in 2008. She teaches multiple levels of Ballet Technique, Pointe, and competition choreography in Ballet, Pointe, and Lyrical. Crystal has a passion for technique and seeing dancers progress through their training, as well as cultivating a team of instructors with a love for dance, education, and the future generation of dance.
Kate Oros
Dance Instructor
Kate has been teaching dance for 15 years. She teaches Ballet Technique, Zumba Fitness and competition choreography in Jazz, Tap, and Hip-Hop. She loves seeing the kids progress and surprise themselves by doing something they didn't know they could.
Chelsey Turco
Dance Instructor
Chelsey has taught at HADA for 5 years as the Acrobatics and Tumbling Instructor. Chelsey is thoroughly enjoying her time at HADA because of the close knit family of teachers and the students’ eagerness to learn. She is excited about the ADTA Curriculum that she has been following for the past season, and can’t wait to continue to implement it in the coming years as well.
Melissa Duetsch
Dance Instructor
Melissa is HADA’s first Alumni Instructor. After training under Crystal Ashe, Jessica Cunningham, and many other local instructors, as well as assistant teaching for mulitple years, she returned to Gunnison to join the team. She teaches PreK and recreational Jazz, Ballet and Tap classes. Melissa says “The kids are what makes my job amazing. I hope that my ability to teach and choreograph will excel as I watch my fellow teachers grow as choreographers”.
Brenda Lee
Dance Instructor
Coming Soon
Heather Wild
Fitness Instructor
Heather danced for 15 years, growing up in Gunnison, and also has a passion for fitness and health. She is a multiple year certified instructor of Zumba Fitness, who is known for her high-energy, aerobic morning Zumba classes. Heather wants you to know that Zumba is a great workout, no matter your fitness level.
Jessica Vogan
Dance Instructor
Bio Coming Soon
Brenda Moreno
Dance Instructor
Bio Coming Soon
Lilyanna Lock
Dance Instructor
Bio Coming Soon