Check Out Angela Delsanter’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Delsanter.

Hi Angela, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
This year marks the 15th anniversary of Nederland Mountain Movers, an after-school dance program for preschool-middle-level dancers. My family moved to this community in 2006 when our son was in preschool.

By 2008, I had been through Chemotherapy and Radiation treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and we were struggling to pay the medical bills. A friend suggested that I start some dance classes so the kids in the community could dance locally instead of driving to another community in the winter. In the spring of 2009, I hosted my first preschool ballet and tap class with 6 students. Every year, some students stayed in dance and the classes began to grow. This is exactly how Mountain Movers began.

I have been so honored to watch my very first dancers graduate High School in 2022/2023. Last spring, I participated in the choreography of the local HS musical Footloose. The majority of the cast had been in my dance classes at one time or another when they were little. This filled my heart with so much love for my community. The program has grown into something beyond my wildest dreams and is perfectly tailored to the needs of this community.

I try to offer a wide variety of styles and experiences for my students. Including, ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary dance. I also try to give my dancers the freedom to help make choreographic choices. It is such a privilege to watch young children explore something so dear to me my entire life. I began my journey into my love of dance when I was a toddler. I can’t remember a single year not dancing. In High School, I explored all the varieties including dance team, cheerleading, competition dance, musicals, and show choir.

I graduated from Ohio University in 1995 with a BFA in dance performance. I moved to Boulder in the late 1990s to join the booming dance community of that time. I quickly fell in love with aerial dance and joined Frequent Flyers Productions. I performed professionally with the company for over 25 years. During this time, I enjoyed many teaching and choreographic opportunities and found my love of stilt dancing. I still teach children’s aerial classes and camps in the summer.

For the past decade and a half, Mountain Movers has served over 300 local dancers. Currently, there are 50 dancers and 5 classes a week. We have performed at The Boulder Creek Festival for 10 consecutive years. This year was our 13th performance at the Nederland Holiday Mountain Market. This spring, May 11th, will be our 15th anniversary recital “The Greatest Show on Earth” hosted at the Nederland High School.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest hurdle was during covid as it was for most small businesses. I had to figure out how we would be able to still have classes and performances. I used small padded mats and squares of tap linoleum to set up “stations” that were several feet apart.

Everything was sanitized before and after. Luckily, several families remained on Dance 2020/2021 and we made it through. This time, although challenging, was one of my most memorable years. We saved each other. That spring, we had a recital outside in the local park. It was on the deck of the fishing pier.

The town of Nederland helped and supported this event.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am proud of my long-term commitment and my dedication to my community. I am proud that, along with the families’ support, that we have created something so special and unique for our kids to participate in.

No child is ever turned away. No matter what circumstances, ability, or income, my motto is that every child should attend the dance if they want to be involved.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
I think luck is change and opportunity lining up. But, I had to work hard at building this program. I had to remain consistent with hours and pricing. I wouldn’t be able to create this program in any other community.

I am very lucky that I was able to create this opportunity for the youth in the community where I live. I am also fortunate to have a second business in this town as a massage therapist with my studio. I feel grateful to be able to work with others locally in many ways.