Welcome To 

DANCE EXPRESS

Dance Express, based in Fort Collins, Colorado, is a vibrant, community-oriented dance company dedicated to promoting the art of dance in its various forms. With a strong emphasis on inclusion and creativity, we offer dance training and performance opportunities for persons with and without disabilities.  Fostering a welcoming environment for dancers, Dance Express offers persons of all ages and skill levels the chance to express themselves through the joy of movement. Dance Express has been improving lives through dance virtually and in-person since 1989! 

purchase tickets for THE CHRISTMAS ROSE Here 

Donate To Dance Express Here → 

Thank You For Making Our  Shows in 2023/24 Successful!

Promotional flyer featuring a previous event, Celebrations of Light and Love. Features several dancers from Dance Express

Our History

Founded in February, 1989, Dance Express premiered its first studio concert in May, 1989 at the Downtown Community Center. In August, dancers appeared at the first official Fort Collins’ New West Fest. Each year Dance Express creates annual dance and dance theatre productions, teaches adaptive modern dance workshops in schools and community centers, and makes guest appearances regionally.  In 2017, we added DANCE BEYOND the LIMITS, a western regional inclusive dance convening highlighting diversity in dance and offering in-person and virtual dance workshops in genres from modern dance to ballet, Feldenkrais to Tai Chi, and Salsa, Hip Hop, African Dance and more. Through our workshop program since 1993, Dance Express has served more than 4,000 students and adults with and without disabilities. Our dance productions have reached many thousands regionally and in the world.

Check For Our Past Performances Here!

Accolades

Mary Elizabeth Lenahan Day 

May 24, 2009, Mayor Doug Hutchinson proclaimed as "Mary Elizabeth Lenahan Day"  to honor Dance Express and Mary Elizabeth as a leader in integrating and celebrating the joy of dance for people of all abilities.

Fort Collins Mayor's Awards

2007 Dance Express was nominated for the Fort Collins Mayor’s Awards for its excellence.  In 2022, Dance Express was awarded Service Provider of the Year.

Hal O'Leary Inspiration Award 

2011 Tamara Mahler was awarded the Hal O'Leary Inspiration Award at Coors Stadium in Denver, Colorado. She was one of the original dancers in the first troupe.

Biz West Non-Profit Of The Year 

2022 Dance Express was named Biz West's Non-Profit Of The Year! 

Mary Elizabeth Lenahan, MS OT

Founder, Artistic & Executive Director

 While completing her Masters in Occupational Therapy at Colorado State University in 1989, Mary Elizabeth founded Dance Express with the help of Jane Slusarski-Harris and Mark Rosoff  as a work-study job. Thanks to her sister, Theresa, born with Down syndrome, Mary Elizabeth recognized the talents, dance abilities, and innate rhythmicity of persons with Down syndrome and other developmental delays. In 1992, Dance Express achieved incorporation in Colorado and federal 501(c)(3) status with a non-profit board of directors.  

 As the Artistic and Executive Director of Dance Express, Lenahan works with  the Board of Directors, dancers, community volunteers, and fellow artists to responsibly produce annual dance and dance theatre productions, adaptive dance workshops in  schools and community centers, and (since 2017) an annual regional inclusive dance  convening. As invited and possible, she aligns with area arts and education groups for guest appearances to augment access to the arts for persons with differing abilities and  disabilities, such as Down syndrome or developmental delay.  

 Named a Northern Colorado Woman of Distinction in 2015 and an honoree for the  Northern Colorado Community Ordinary Extraordinary People Award in 2019, she notes “Each of us has a dancer waiting to share the light.” In 2021, Lenahan became a  certified Colorado Creative Change Leader. In 2022 - 2024, she represented Dance  Express in the United Way Equity and Excellence cohort. She persists in dreaming of an expressive and healing arts center as a cultural hub.   A proponent of inclusive dance, she gleaned insights through her experiences as an  occupational therapist, modern dancer, and eurythmist. She expands her skills through  Dance Express, and by building on her learning from the State University of New York at  Albany (BA), Colorado State University (MS), Sound Circle Eurythmy, and dance  companies regionally, nationally, and internationally. Her dance is influenced by Maud  Baum of Electronic Body Works, Albany, NY; Paul Sanasardo and Manuel Alum, NY, NY;  Adrienne Posner, Albany, NY; Dixie Hayes Menzer & Debbi Gomes, Fort Collins, CO; Jane  Slusarski-Harris and guest instructors from Cleo Parker Robinson, Colorado State  University; Jana Meszaros with DanceAbility International, Portland, OR; and Tailfeather  Dance UK.

    FYI: Her love of dance started as a child at Sunday afternoon polka hops!


Contact 

DANCE EXPRESS


We're eager to hear from you! Please fill out the contact form, and we'll get back to you promptly to address any questions or requests you may have. 

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Thank You To Our Sponsors!

Fort Fund, The Fort Collins Cultural Resources Board, Colorado Creative Industries, Poudre Golden Kiwanis,
Masonic Temple Center, and Raintree Athletic Club.