Meet Brielle Dighero | Owner of Contemporary Dance Academy

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brielle Dighero and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brielle, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I think the most important factor to the success of CDA are the people behind it. My business is successful because I have wonderful people surrounding me that share the same vision. I have so many families and employees who have truly become family and I think having the support of good people really makes all the difference.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started dancing at Age 5 and by Age 9, I switched to a pre professional Ballet School in Littleton. I danced with the American Ballet Theatre in New York for 3 summers and danced all through High School switching gears my Senior Year to do a competition dance team. In 2009, I came to CSU to get a major in Dance and minor in Business. As a Junior in College, I started teaching at Contemporary Dance Academy and after just a few months of teaching, the Owner said that she was selling the studio and asked if I wanted to buy it. So at 22 Years old and going into my Senior year taking 21 credits and doing 2 capstones, I bought CDA. I am the type that will accomplish anything I put my mind to but I still don’t know how I did this at such a young age. I would teach Tiny Tots in the morning from 10-12, go to my business classes from 12-2, take my dance classes from 2-4, then go back until teach from 4-9 every day of the week. And then on Saturdays I set a full length Nutcracker by myself. I also took on an expansion that first year which was a huge risk and had no idea what I was getting into.

3 years later when things calmed down a little, I really missed dancing and performing, so I auditioned for the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders. I ended up making it my first year having no Pom or Dance Team experience, but went on do dance with them for 6 Seasons. I was a Captain as well as the Cheer Office Assistant and Social Media Director for 3 years and had some of the most amazing experiences of my life being on the team. I got to travel to South Korea, Germany, Italy and Spain to visit out Military Members, do community outreach like visit kids at Children’s Hospital etc, dance in front of 76,000 people at Empower Field and so much more.

Since retiring from Broncos, I have shifted my focus back to the studio and growing it into all that I know it can be. I have an adorable almost 2 year old little girl and just feel blessed every day for all that God has given me.

It definitely has not been easy but I know each challenge has just taught me so much. I’ve learned to lean on the people around you and that you can’t control everything. I want my students to know that dance can lead you to so many more places than you think and that you learn so much more than just dance. Dance has taught me leadership tools, time management, dedication, confidence, and so much more and I hope that I can pass on those same lessons to the next generation.

I think what sets CDA apart is that “family” environment that we strive to have. We want CDA to be a happy place for our dancers and not only grow them as dancers but as humans as well. I have a true passion for kids and this next generation so getting to make a positive impact on even just a few lives, is worth it to me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am probably one of the most Home Body people ever. If they were visiting Fort Collins we would for sure check out Old Town, Horsetooth, and my favorite little wine bar right by the studio called “Simmer”, but other than that I am pretty much either at the studio or at home! I love camping or anything outdoors as well so any chance to get outside in beautiful Colorado is a good day to me!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have a lot of wonderful people in my life who have gotten me to where I am today and it truly is a team effort. My Mom has supported me in all my dancing endeavors since I was 5. My Artistic Directors, Case and Annalise who are at the studio almost every day of the week pouring their love of dance into our dancers and who are the vision behind our amazing productions. My Office Manager, Shauna who has been at the studio since before I even took over who started as my bookkeeper but is now my Bookkeeper, Office Manager, Dance Store Manager, and Auntie/Babysitter to all of our kids (plus so much more). And my wonderful Husband who does more behind the scenes work than most people know (including performing as Mother Ginger in our Nutcracker)!

Website: https://www.contemporarydanceacademy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemporarydanceacademyllc/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contemporarydanceacademy/

Image Credits
Rob Hawthorne
Adam Bratten
Debbie Howell
Lexi Evans Photography