Artistic Fusion Dance Academy in Thorton, Colorado, is co-owned by two sisters, Jennifer and Julie Jarnot. They are also co-Artistic Directors. Jennifer describes Artistic Fusion as a studio that instills their dancers with the proper training of dance and dance technique while providing life tools to help them grow in their own personal development, to create the power of self and to nurture each dancer’s spirit individually and creatively.
Artistic Fusion is a nationally acclaimed dance studio that trains students in the art of dance and the beauty of life. Their goal is for each dancer to experience life lessons as they grow in an artistic atmosphere. No matter what age the dance student is or what level they are at, there is a place for them at Artistic Fusion.
Artistic Fusion Dance Academy’s recreational dance program is second to none. Their amazing faculty provides recreational dance classes in ballet, pointe, contemporary, tap, jazz, hip hop, leaps and turns, and pilates. Their state of the art dance facility serves the entire Front Range and North Denver Metro area. They offer a variety of classes for students of all skill levels and ages from 18 months to 18 years of age. Their faculty consists of the top teachers in the region and offer instruction to their dancers in all genres as well as Pilates and the American Ballet Theatre ® National Training Curriculum.
Starting with classes that teach their youngest beginning basics of ballet and tap while nurturing their excitement and pure love for creativity, movement and music to their adult classes, they have something for everyone. In addition to the classes listed above, they offer Pom classes for the student who wants to try out for their high school pom team and their adult dance classes consist of Yoga, Ballet, and Olympic Fencing.
Their three award winning competition dance teams compete nationally. Members are 
selected by their audition process. The Artistic Fusion Core Company is a nationally recognized competitive dance program ideal for the serious dancer who is looking for a demanding dance training program – a program which will support and develop their technique while cultivating their individuality and artistry as a dancer. The Core Company is an accelerated teaching program and has a higher collection of mandatory classes per month and the dancer excels in Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap and Hip Hop. Additionally, they cross train in Pilates (both reformer work and Pilates mat work) and have the opportunity to learn from numerous choreographers and master teachers that are brought into the studio. The Core Company competes at both competitions and conventions and is held to the highest possible criterion for dance excellence.
The Artistic Fusion Elite Team is intended for the dancer who desires to gain more performance and stage opportunities while improving their technical dance training. The Elite Team trains during the week and rehearses on Friday evenings. This is a great program for those who want to have more flexibility with their time commitment but still want to compete. They have the option to be a part of the Hip Hop Crew and/or the Jazz Team.
The Breaker Boys is their boys only Hip Hop Crew that trains in the fundamentals of Breakdancing and Hip Hop. This is the perfect place for boys who LOVE to dance and are looking for the opportunity to perform.
In Jennifer’s opinion, their studio is different from other studios because they are always pushing the envelope when it comes to choreography and the choreographers they bring in to the studio. They are not afraid to present work that may not “win” in the competition world, but that makes you think and is memorable. Also, they have a full Pilates studio in which their dancers train. This training is great for body awareness and injury prevention.
Jennifer and Julie’s proudest moment was at NYCDA Nationals in 2008 when their dancers won the Senior Critics Choice Award with a dance called Baggage that was choreographed by their alumni Tony Testa. That was a full circle moment for them to watch a dancer they trained give back to the next generation of Artistic Fusion Dancers.
One of the biggest mistakes Jennifer sees dancers make is when they try to be like someone else. Perhaps someone they have seen on social media. They try to emulate the dynamics of this particular dancer instead of trying to see what makes them self special. Not every dancer is the same and she believes young dancers should take pride in what they have to offer the dance world and take ownership in themselves instead of trying to be like someone else.
Their goal for this year is to add a black box theatre to their facility so we can offer more performance opportunities for their dancers and give them more stage time. This will also allow them to give their dancers the opportunity to showcase their own choreography and teach them about stage and show production.
Jennifer and Julie started Artistic Fusion because it was a childhood dream that came to fruition in 2000.
Ross Lynch from the Disney show Austin and Ally, along with his siblings who are now R5 started their dance training at Artistic Fusion before moving to Los Angeles to start their careers. Also, Artistic Fusion’s dancers have received over 5 million dollars in college scholarships over the past 16 years.
If you would like more information about Artistic Fusion Dance Academy, visit their website at www.artistic-fusion.com, call them at (720) 929-1820 or email them at info@afda.co. You can also “Like” them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and connect with them on Instagram.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Jennifer Jarnot of Artistic Fusion Dance Academy.
