Our Owner and Primary Teaching Artist
Elena Diehl
I began my formal dance training at age 13 studying ballet, modern and jazz dance at a neighborhood dance studio in Aurora, CO. I quickly fell in love with dance and my journey began!
As a full merit scholarship student attending the University of Arizona in Tucson, I had the privilege of studying with distinguished instructors and training extensively in classical ballet, jazz and modern dance, which expanded my versatility and love of all movement styles. I graduated with honors, earning my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance in 1996 and returned to earn my Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts/Dance in 2002.
I enjoyed performing professionally around the United States and internationally with Louisville Ballet under the direction of Alun Jones and Helen Starr, BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio, Moving Collective in Louisville, KY, and as a musical theatre dance artist in Berlin, Germany.
Upon my retirement from the stage in 2003, I turned my focus to teaching and returned to Louisville Ballet as The School’s Registrar/ Enrollment Manager and Primary Instructor. From 2008-2016, I led Louisville’s premier, pre-professional and community training programs for youth and adults as the Director of The Louisville Ballet School. During my 13 year tenure, I educated dancers of all ages and abilities, including families with infants and toddlers through professional dancers and adult lifelong learners.
As a dance teaching artist for over 20 years, I am a strong believer in the healing power of creative dance. In 2017, after completing the first level of training in the Dance for PD® method, I founded Dance Wise for Parkinson’s for people with Parkinson’s looking for a creative and purposeful way to move through the world with balance, grace, coordination, and confidence. I am pleased to offer, free to participants, a well-researched dance program that utilizes recognized teaching methods for all people with Parkinson’s, their care partners, spouses, family and friends.
As a full merit scholarship student attending the University of Arizona in Tucson, I had the privilege of studying with distinguished instructors and training extensively in classical ballet, jazz and modern dance, which expanded my versatility and love of all movement styles. I graduated with honors, earning my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance in 1996 and returned to earn my Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts/Dance in 2002.
I enjoyed performing professionally around the United States and internationally with Louisville Ballet under the direction of Alun Jones and Helen Starr, BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio, Moving Collective in Louisville, KY, and as a musical theatre dance artist in Berlin, Germany.
Upon my retirement from the stage in 2003, I turned my focus to teaching and returned to Louisville Ballet as The School’s Registrar/ Enrollment Manager and Primary Instructor. From 2008-2016, I led Louisville’s premier, pre-professional and community training programs for youth and adults as the Director of The Louisville Ballet School. During my 13 year tenure, I educated dancers of all ages and abilities, including families with infants and toddlers through professional dancers and adult lifelong learners.
As a dance teaching artist for over 20 years, I am a strong believer in the healing power of creative dance. In 2017, after completing the first level of training in the Dance for PD® method, I founded Dance Wise for Parkinson’s for people with Parkinson’s looking for a creative and purposeful way to move through the world with balance, grace, coordination, and confidence. I am pleased to offer, free to participants, a well-researched dance program that utilizes recognized teaching methods for all people with Parkinson’s, their care partners, spouses, family and friends.
What do people say about their experiences with Dance Wise for Parkinson's?
I feel who I am! My creative spirit soars as my muscles stretch. Dancing is freeing; moving to music, connecting to others, living in the moment and embracing the mood gives me confidence. I feel a real boost after class. I feel more alive, I feel who I am! Parkinson's never has the floor; we dancers do! We love it!! -Dance Wise Participant
My experiences with this class have played a major role in reclaiming my physicality and mobility from the relentless ravaging of PD. It’s helping me to keep in mind the significance of not permitting PD to define me, but rather for me to shape my own dimension in the struggle to maintain mobility and agility. -Dance for Pd® Participant