Mary Elizabeth Lenahan Day
May 24, 2009 was proclaimed Mary Elizabeth Lenahan Day by Fort Collins Mayor Doug Hutchinson to honor her as a leader in integrating people of all abilities in the joy of dance.
Accolades
Fort Collins Mayor's Award
2007 Dance Express was nominated for the Fort Collins Mayor’s Awards for its excellence.
Hal O'Leary Inspiration Award
2011 Tamara Mahler was awarded the Hal O'Leary Inspiration Award at Coors Stadium in Denver, Colorado.
Biz West Non-Profit Of The Year
2022 Dance Express was named Biz West's Non-Profit Of The Year!
Mary Elizabeth Lenahan
Founder, Artistic Director, & Executive Director
While completing her Masters in Occupational Therapy at Colorado State University in 1989, Mary Elizabeth founded Dance Express with the help of a work-study job. Thanks to her sister, Theresa, born with Down syndrome, Mary Elizabeth recognized the talents, dance capabilities, 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 since then, she 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 and 2023, she represents Dance Express in a United Way Equity and Excellence cohort and persists in dreaming of establishing 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!