Studio Stories: Reminiscing on Twin Cities Dance with Denise Armstead - Season 5, Episode 73

Denise Armstead is an internationally acclaimed dancer, choreographer and teacher. She is currently Artistic Director of D.A. Dance. Ms Armstead has been a dancer for 40 years, 20 of which she spent as a founding member and premiere dancer with Minneapolis-based Zenon Dance Company. She has also been an aerial artist and choreographer with Risa Cohen Aerial Company, flying through the air on Trapeze, Silks and Harness.Her work has been seen around the globe, including performances in Switzerland, Aruba, Russia and the Marianas Islands. She has commanded center stage at New York's Joyce Theater, The Ordway, The Walker Art Center, The O'Shaugnessey Theater, and the Ritz.Her dancing has been reviewed to acclaim by the New York Times and the Village Voice. Her work in the New York Film Festival earned a Gold Medal, and the City Pages has selected Ms. Armstead as Best Dancer in the Twin Cites. The Minnesota State Legislature passed a resolution praising Denise's artistic contributions at the “Women of Nations” domestic violence shelter, the first and only such citation for a dance artist.In 2012, her multimedia work, “The Three Bonnie Project”, played to standing ovations at the Burnsville Performing Art Center. The Project has been cited as setting the precedent as one of the best combinations of video and dance. Most recently, Denise broke barriers as the first dance company to serve as an Artist in Residence and perform at the Wykoff Theater, along with D.A. Dance performing the first ever evening length dance work at the Zumbrota Theater. Denise has taught dance worldwide, and is also a well-respected equestrienne and riding teacher. She choreographs for the Minnesota Equine Vaulting team and has studied with Olympic-bound athletes. She currently resides in Nerstrand, Minnesota with her stallion-man partner, their ponies, peacocks and lots of cats and dogs.