DIRECTORS
Judy Skinner: Director/Owner
Ms. Skinner began her studies in Gainesville, Florida. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Education from the University of Florida, she continued her studies in New York. Ms. Skinner received her first Individual Fellowship in Choreography from the State of Florida in 1987, her second in 1994, and her most recent in 1999. She was awarded an "Artist Enhancemen" grant in 2006. A primary teacher in the public school system for eighteen years, Ms. Skinner has also been a adjunct faculty member of the University of Florida Department of Theatre and Dance for over 10 years. She has choreographed for the Hippodrome, UF Department of Theatre and Dance and the Bulgarian National Ballet, among others. Employed by Santa Fe Community College from 1988-1991, she was responsible for developing and staffing the new dance program. Ms. Skinner served on the State Dance Panel in 1985 and 1986, the Artist in Education Panel in 1991, and the Cultural Support Panel in 2002. Ms. Skinner served on the Professional Committee for ACE (Arts for a Complete Education), develops and directs Dance Alive National Ballet's educational programming, and writes much of the curriculum materials provided for educators. In 2000, Ms. Skinner was awarded the prestigious Nancy Smith Award by the Florida Dance Association, for "Outstanding Leadership in Dance" and in 1999, the Girl Scouts of America award for "Women who Make a Difference in the Arts." Ms. Skinner directs THE NEXT GENERATION.
Kim Tuttle: Director/Owner
Kim Tuttle, Artistic Director and Choreographer-in-Residence of DANB took over the artistic reins in 1986, turning a regionaly company of quality into a nationally recognized touring company and a designated state touring company for Florida for over two decades. Dance Alive National Ballet has toured 17 states and Costa Rica, establishing its reputation as a vital, energetic, and artistically innovative ballet company.
Ms. Tuttle served on the staff of the Stuttgart Ballet as a pianist and ballet instructor and later served as Ballet Mistress for the Zurich Ballet, under the Artistic Direction of Balachine expert Patricia Neary. Ms. Tuttle's musical background, fully explored as a recording chamber pianist, is fundamental to her girft as a thriving and prolific choreographer. She has created over 100 ballets. In recognition of her talent, she received three choreographic fellowships from the Florida Department of Cultural Affairs. She has served as a staff pianist for the University of Florida, accompanying faculty and visiting artists. She initiated the original ballet program at Santa Fe Community College and continued her input as artistic advisor at the inception of the present SFCC dance program by staffing, programming, and choreographing. Ms. Tuttle served on the State of Florida Dance Panel and was co-recipient of the prestigious Nancy Smith Award by the Florida Dance Association for "Outstanding Leadership and Excellence in Dance."