Board of Directors
Elizabeth Shipiatsky, Artistic Director
Noticing that professional dance companies were evolving in the 2010’s, Ms. Shipiatsky saw a growing need for early career dancers to have diverse skills and performance experience to be competitive in seeking employment. Observing talented, early career dancers receiving inadequate performance opportunities in studio companies or lower-ranking company positions, she envisioned a finishing school and performance company for pre-professional academy graduates. Because professional companies focus on performing she also saw the need for dancers to enter the professional world with penultimate levels of technical prowess, injury prevention, musicality and dance history aptitude, distinguished social skills, as well as performance expertise.
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Ms. Shipiatsky began seeking high level faculty with national and international connections in each of their disciplines, and recruited a board of directors team with varied professional skills and passion for the arts. Ballet Melange, a registered 105c3, was officially born in 2018. Ms. Shipiatsky and her carefully acquired teams have created the most complete curriculum, performance possibilities, and networking opportunities for dancers seeking university scholarships or professional contracts. Ballet Melange trainees have received contract offers, awards and recognition, and interest from companies around the world.​
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Shannon Therkildsen, President
Shannon Therkildsen started dancing at the age of two. She trained in the Dallas area prior to training and perform for two years with The Hartford Ballet under the direction of Kirk Peterson. Shannon moved to Denver, Colorado, to continue her professional career as a corps member with Colorado Ballet. There, she performed in Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, and Don Quixote, and other ballets. Shannon was also a member of Boulder Ballet, a founding member of Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet, and taught and competed in ballroom dancing with Arthur Murray Dance Studio. Throughout Shannon’s dance career, she taught ballet at various studios in the Denver metro area.​
Shannon retired from her dance career in 2009 when her son was born. Since then, she has joined the reinsurance industry, and is currently a Senior Client Data Manager at Hannover Re, where she manages and trains a team of Data Analysts. After COVID, Shannon returned to ballet by joining the adult ballet community in Denver. Shannon continues to take class, perform, and teach. Being a member of the Ballet Melange Board gives Shannon another opportunity to share her love and support of dance.
Maggie Mehlman
Maggie Mehlman trained under the direction of Elizabeth Shipiatsky for nearly a decade. After graduating from Denver School of the Arts and the Classical Ballet Academy program, Maggie attended Colorado College as a Boettcher Scholar, where she received a degree in Mathematics. Maggie also directed and danced in many Theater and Dance Department productions during her time at Colorado College.
Maggie currently resides in New York City and works as a Reinsurance Analyst for PURE Insurance. She continues to take dance classes in New York and is proud to serve on the Board of Ballet Melange.
Dmitri Gromyko
A lifelong devotee of the arts, Dmitri Gromyko brings a unique blend of creativity and business acumen to the Ballet Melange Board of Directors. Born in Minsk, Belarus, he has a foundation in mechanical engineering and economics. Since immigrating to the United States at the age of 27, he has established a thriving construction business and operated a successful art gallery in Downtown Denver. Currently, Dmitri works as a realtor. Dmitri’s involvement with ballet extends beyond his board role. Since 2004, he has been an integral part of various ballet productions, contributing his talents as a dancer, props designer, and set builder. He is dedicated to bringing the beauty and power of ballet to the community and enriching the lives of audiences of all ages.
Nicole Dyer
Nicole Dyer has been dancing since the age of 4, initially training with Nevada Dance Academy in the styles of ballet and contemporary dance. She moved to Salem, Oregon to attend Willamette University, earning degrees in Politics and Spanish. While attending university, Nicole had the opportunity to continue her dance training in an aerial dance program and ballet. She also choreographed 3 contemporary dance pieces and co-choreographed 1 musical theatre piece.
After graduating from college, Nicole entered the nonprofit sector with a desire to make a positive impact on society. She initially worked in social work supporting community members who are unhoused or at risk of losing housing. Nicole currently works in philanthropy, supporting the foundation's grantmaking and operations. Nicole has been delighting to continue her dance training through Ballet Melange Academy's Adult Program and has performed in their productions of the Nutcracker and Coppelia.
Nicole is excited to merge her nonprofit experience and skills with her passion for dance in order to advance the mission of Ballet Melange.
Sasha Sosniak
Bio Coming Soon!
Katheryne Metolkina
Bio Coming Soon!