Ahlers Dance

Cynthia Dewell Ahlers

Cynthia Dewell Ahlers began classical ballet at the age of five at Little Rock Ballet Academy. She continued her dance training at the University of North Texas and Southern Methodist University where she also began Modern dance training. At 19, Ahlers moved to New York City and danced professionally (’82-’02) with choreographers including: Zvi Gotheiner, Judith Jamison, Hannah Kahn, Ralph Lemon, Susan Marshall, Jennifer Muller/The Works, Judith Garay/Anthony Morgan, Jody Oberfelder, and Neta Pulvermacher.

With Ralph Lemon, she went to the Spoleto festival (’86). With Susan Marshall, Ahlers danced with her children on Broadway at the Shubert Theater in “Nothing Like a Dame” (’98), a benefit for the Actor’s Fund of America. With Jennifer Muller/The Works, Ahlers also worked with Yoko Ono and with Judith Jamison from the Alvin Ailey Company. With Jody Oberfelder, Ahlers danced with her baby, Brita, on Broadway at the Shubert Theater in “Nothing Like a Dame” (’99). Also with Oberfelder, Ahlers and her daughter performed at Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang camp, and in 2010 in NYC as a teen/parent reprise.

In 2002, Ahlers moved to Flagstaff, AZ. In 2011, Ahlers earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Electronic Media and Film with an emphasis in screenwriting from Northern Arizona University (NAU). In 2013, Ahlers received her MA in Teaching English as a Second Language from NAU.

Her four amazing children, and two grandchildren give her inspiration.

Ahlers Dance

Ahlers has been performing, teaching, and choreographing since 1981. Ahlers Dance, founded by director/choreographer Cynthia Dewell Ahlers, has been a part of the Flagstaff dance community since 2002. Ahlers formed the school and company to provide both quality dance training and performing opportunities, and to foster an active, welcoming network for dancers. In Flagstaff, she has been on Faculty at Northern Arizona University, Coconino Community College, Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy, All That Dance, and Canyon Dance Academy. Currently, Ahlers Dance offers ballet, modern/contemporary, pointe, and Pilates for beginning to professional dancers.

In NYC as a teacher/choreographer, Ahlers work was commissioned, and she received grants and awards for her teaching and choreography, including the Harness Foundation for Dance. Ahlers performed and choreographed for the non-profit organization, Dancers Responding to AIDS, including “The Remember Project” at Dance Space in NYC.

Ahlers’ body of choreographic works includes 70 dances. She has also created 3 full evening original works for the stage including choreography, poetry, script, and in performance. In 2009, Ahlers expanded upon her creative endeavors by founding Isolated Incident Performance Group, a platform for the creation and production of original work fusing the genres of dance, music and theater. She collaborates with dancers, choreographers, actors, artists, photographers, filmmakers, conductors, and musicians. While dancing with Canyon Movement Company, Ahlers choreographed “Trapped” based on Warren Doody’s documentary film about domestic violence. Altogether, she has choreographed for and performed in 5 short films.

For more information, please see www.AhlersDance.com.

AHLERS on Film links below:

Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary & Modern Dance

Cynthia Dewell Ahlers