Meet Denver Schantz | Dance Instructor & Dance Director

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

Hi Denver, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Everybody wants to have a career that they actually enjoy doing, and i feel like i’ve found that with dance. I’ve been teaching dance classes since i was around 15/16 years old and am now in my late 20’s and still find joy in teaching and dancing with others, That’s hard to find, and i’ve been going through a time in my life where i’m questioning my future with dance, but i’ve come to the conclusion that dance will always be part of my life and something i plan to continue to make a full-time career out of.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Well, I dance. I currently direct a competitive adult hip hop team and I teach hip hop classes. I started out by taking a dance class when i was about 13 years old and never looked back. I’ve never been that social, but dance gave me an outlet to say things without words, and i was pretty decent at it. Dancing from middle school all the way into my adulthood came with its own set of struggles. Being an artist, your so self-critical and hard on yourself, I’ve gone through so many times of questioning if dance is what i want to do still. The mental tenacity artists have is underrated, we have to pick our selves us after breaking down multiple times trying to find our way. And that was me having danced for so long in the same community that raised me. But yet here i am, i’ve hosted so many classes across Colorado bringing in out-of-state instructors to Denver, traveled to multiple states and even out of country to dance events, have taught for going on 13 years and have seen so many talented and determined individuals grow throughout my class. Along the way, and i’m far from the end, i’ve learned to take things slow, stop comparing, and don’t forget to breathe (both in dance and in life). I can elaborate more on these but that’ll turn into a novel.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m embarrassed that i’ve lived in CO for over 20 years and i don’t have a list of these already. Hiking is a must, Boulder has some beautiful hiking spots. I love Winter Park, CO, which is a little mountain town for a little snowy getaway. Having recently driven through Guanella Pass in the mountains to see the leaves change colors, i highly recommend that drive if you happen to be here in the fall. Casa Bonita! Once it opens back up obviously, but if you’re a true CO native you know what’s up.

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?
Starting off strong, i like it! Shoutout to my mom for suggesting dance to me, coordinating being part of a studio, and has been supporting me ever since, I now know how hard that must’ve been but you are appreciated and loved! Brooke Casady, my first dance teacher. You taught me so much as a teen that i still live my life by even to this day, thank you for being there. Lastly, all of the dance studios i’ve been fortunate enough to call family along my dance journey.

Instagram: @denverthelastdino

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4G-09Qn3heG07qNzz8rMkw

Image Credits
Alex Gates, Whitney Gustafson, Minyoung Lee