meet our instructors
MARK CARLSON
Artistic Director
Mark Carlson was born in Oswego, Kansas. He grew up in Fullerton California and studied with Paul Petroff and Nana Gollner at the School of Imperial Russian Ballet. Mr. Carlson danced with the Les Grands Ballets Canadiens in Canada, the Stora Teatern and Malmo Stadsteatern in Sweden, the Badische Staat Theatern in Germany, as well as the Royal Ballet of Flanders in Belgium. Mr. Carlson has taught for the Academie voor Klassiche Russiche Ballet in Belgium and the Stockholms Universitiet in Sweden as well as being Ballet Master for the Norrskoping Ballet in Sweden.
He has enjoyed a long career as a professional ballet dancer for over 20 years, dancing soloist and principal roles throughout Europe. After moving back to the United States, Mr. Carlson worked as the Associate Artistic Director of the Colorado Ballet Two as well as company teacher for the Colorado Ballet. He founded the International Ballet School in Colorado Springs in 1997. Mr. Carlson has been teaching for over 40 years throughout the United States and Europe.
Mr. Carlson has won Outstanding teacher four times, outstanding choreographer twice, and Outstanding School ten times at the Youth America Grand Prix in Denver, Colorado. He has coached students for the prestigious Prix de Lausanne and the U.S.A. International Ballet Competition where his students have received numerous scholarships and company traineeships.
SANDRA KERR
Artistic Director
Sandra Kerr was born in Jakarta, Singapore. She trained in Southern California at the American Ballet School under the direction of Lynda Yourth. Sandra danced as a soloist with the Deutsche Oper am Rhein in Dusseldorf Germany as well as the Colorado Ballet.
Throughout her career she danced many soloist and principal roles from such notable choreographers as Choo-San Goh, Christopher Wheeldon, Alvin Ailey, Stanton Welch, Martha Graham, Agnes de Mille, Federick Ashton, George Balanchine, William Forsythe, and Hans Van Manen. Ms. Kerr has danced many ballets from the classical repertoire such as Swan Lake, Giselle, La Fille Mal Gardee, Coppelia, Don Quixote, the Sleeping Beauty, the Nutcracker, Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet, La bayadere, Le corsair, Raymonda, La Sylphide and Les Sylphide to name a few.
Sandra founded International Ballet School in Littleton Colorado along with Mark Carlson in 2000 after the birth of their son. She has been teaching for 25 years. Sandra has won best teacher at the Youth America Grand Prix regional’s in the Denver competition four times, and best school ten times.
Her students have regularly placed in the Denver regional YAGP and Denver Ballet Guild, as well as traveling as finalist to the New York Finals for YAGP. Along with teaching and coaching she designs the costumes and stages the ballet’s for the International Youth ballet.
Artistic Director
Sandra Kerr was born in Jakarta, Singapore. She trained in Southern California at the American Ballet School under the direction of Lynda Yourth. Sandra danced as a soloist with the Deutsche Oper am Rhein in Dusseldorf Germany as well as the Colorado Ballet.
Throughout her career she danced many soloist and principal roles from such notable choreographers as Choo-San Goh, Christopher Wheeldon, Alvin Ailey, Stanton Welch, Martha Graham, Agnes de Mille, Federick Ashton, George Balanchine, William Forsythe, and Hans Van Manen. Ms. Kerr has danced many ballets from the classical repertoire such as Swan Lake, Giselle, La Fille Mal Gardee, Coppelia, Don Quixote, the Sleeping Beauty, the Nutcracker, Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet, La bayadere, Le corsair, Raymonda, La Sylphide and Les Sylphide to name a few.
Sandra founded International Ballet School in Littleton Colorado along with Mark Carlson in 2000 after the birth of their son. She has been teaching for 25 years. Sandra has won best teacher at the Youth America Grand Prix regional’s in the Denver competition four times, and best school ten times.
Her students have regularly placed in the Denver regional YAGP and Denver Ballet Guild, as well as traveling as finalist to the New York Finals for YAGP. Along with teaching and coaching she designs the costumes and stages the ballet’s for the International Youth ballet.
CHARIS SPENCER
Charis grew up in Denver, CO. She began her dance training at 4 years old and joined International Ballet School as a student in 2004 at the age of 8. After graduating high school, Charis earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from CU Boulder and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Education.
She started working for Sandra and Mark in 2014, helping with the seasonal productions (Nutcracker and Spring Performances), and has grown into her role as Children’s Program Director which includes teaching pre-ballet, creative movement, and level 1. One of her favorite parts of her job is getting to perform every year in the Nutcracker as Clara’s mother and Mother Ginger.
Victoria Spangler
In 2009, Victoria graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder, with a B.F.A.
in Dance Performance and Choreography. While earning her degree, she
performed in original works by Gabriel Masson, Onye Ozuzu, and Erika Randall, and
studied under Patricia Renzetti, Robin Haig, Nada Diachenko, Larry Southall, and Nii
Armah Sowah. Upon graduation, Victoria performed numerous featured roles as a
member of Louder Than Words Dance Theatre, a professional Contemporary
Modern and Jazz Company based out of Denver, CO, under the direction of Chris
Harris. In 2012, Victoria co-choreographed, and performed, in an original, evening-
length work titled "Four Letter Words", which premiered on the main stage at the
Parker Town Hall Arts Center. A Colorado native, Victoria received her early training
at David Taylor Dance Theater, International Ballet School, and Cleo Parker
Robinson Dance. During this time, she was fortunate enough to study under
Nikoloz Makhateli, Milenko Banovich, Milton Meyers, James Clouser, and Debra
Mercer, among others. She attended many intensive programs throughout this
time, including the University of the Arts, in Philadelphia, PA, where she spent a
summer training directly under world-renowned dancer Fernando Bujones. While still in high school, Victoria was a member of the Apprentice Company
with the David Taylor Dance Theatre for multiple seasons. Upon graduation, she
spent two years, on scholarship, studying Ballet at Friends University, and dancing
with The Wichita Ballet Theatre, both under the direction of Stan K. Rogers. Victoria
has been teaching and choreographing in the Denver/Boulder area since 2007. Her
pieces have won numerous awards at various competitions, including YAGP, UBC,
NUVO, KAR, StarQuest, Rainbow, and many others. In 2021, Victoria choreographed
THE YAGP Finals Hope Award-winning Contemporary solo, and was also a co-
RECIPIENT OF THE Outstanding Teacher award at Denver YAGP regionals.
Testimonials
I recently attended their Nutcracker performance and was stunned by the beauty of their costumes, use of color coordination and lighting. Their sets were magnificent! The dancing was beautiful to see and they have talented youth!
Sonya C.
This school has been a blessing for my daughter. International Ballet School is one of the best programs in the country for the most dedicated and passionate ballet students.
Edward B.
Schedule a Free Trial Class
ADDRESS
250 East Dry Creek RD Suite 203
Mon – Fri : 2 PM - 8 PM
Sat: 9 AM - 12:30 PM
Sunday : Closed
About
At International Ballet School our mission is to create a caring and nurturing environment for our students where they can thrive. We provide a program that develops technical skills, musicality, self-esteem, discipline, and a lifelong love of dance. Whether or not a student is pursuing a professional career in dance, we strive to give everyone the care and attention they need to develop into the best dancer and artist they can be.
Opening Hours
Mon - Fri : 2 PM - 8 PM
Sat : 9 AM - 12 PM
Sunday : Closed
250 East Dry Creek RD Suite 203
Email: internationalyouthballetco@gmail.com
Telephone: (303) 229-3757
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