In a sunlit studio in Broomfield, toddlers chase musical cues while teens rehearse jetés and adult dancers try tap steps for the very first time.

For more than 30 years, the Colorado Conservatory of Dance has welcomed students as young as 1 and as old as 100, offering a space where movement becomes expression and where generations have come to stretch, spin, stumble and grow. But this spring, the nonprofit school faces a financial crisis that could bring its decades-long run to an end.

“More than 100 students call this place home,” said Sandra Parks, the school’s executive and artistic director. “It’s where they feel supported, safe and seen.”

With its annual adult showcase, “DanceFound,” set for May 10, CCD is also racing to raise $150,000 before the close of its fiscal year in July. Without that funding, the longtime dance school and its robust outreach programs could be forced to shut its doors.

Founded more than three decades ago by Julia Wilkinson Manley, the Colorado Conservatory of Dance has become a beloved fixture in Broomfield, known for its high-caliber instruction and its philosophy rooted in inclusivity, creativity and artistic rigor. The school guides students from their very first plié to pre-professional training and community performances, nurturing not only technique but also confidence, collaboration and imagination.Parks joined the organization in 2022 as artistic director, bringing with her a plethora of experience and an expansive vision.

“I was born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan, and became a professional dancer at 16,” Parks said. “I moved to New York City to study at NYU, performed on Broadway, and eventually fell in love with teaching. I taught for years at the college level, but discovered I really wanted to not just teach adults, but children, too. And that’s when I found CCD. ”

Parks spent her first year at CCD redesigning the curriculum and ensuring that students were training in a healthy, positive environment. She also saw an opportunity to expand the school’s artistic reach by introducing new styles and perspectives to a traditionally ballet-centric program.

“Even though we’re a ballet-focused school, we introduced modern, jazz, tap, hip hop and Mexican folklórico, but with cultural context and respect,” she said. “Our students need to understand where these forms come from.”

But when the role of executive director became vacant in 2023, CCD’s board of directors asked Parks to step in. She accepted, knowing the organization needed steady leadership.

“There had been multiple leadership changes by the time I started as executive director,” she said. “The company’s founder had recently stepped down after nearly 30 years, and that kind of shift has a huge impact on the foundation of an organization.”

On top of that, like many arts organizations, CCD had been struggling in the aftermath of the pandemic, relying on short-term fixes without a clear long-term plan. It wasn’t until Parks had full access to the organization’s financials that the scope of the problem came into focus.

“It became clear to me that CCD was operating in reactive mode, without a clear plan for long-term stability,” Parks said. “There wasn’t a clear plan in place for moving forward. On top of that, accurate financial information wasn’t being shared with the board. It created a false sense of security. People thought we were doing fine, so no one felt the urgency to create a more conservative or sustainable plan. I finally saw the full picture, and we needed a lot of support.”

CCD is working to raise $150,000 by the end of its fiscal year. Parks knows the goal is ambitious, but she believes the school can rally aid from those who have been touched by its work.

“We don’t want to rely on a handful of donors. That’s too much pressure,” she said. “But if everyone who believes in CCD or the power of dance chips in $25 or $50, it adds up. We believe it’s possible.”

The school has also created a five-year business plan and launched a low-interest loan initiative for larger sponsors. One of the key priorities in that plan is to expand CCD’s work with seniors and underserved populations.

“We performed a shortened Nutcracker for a senior center in Denver,” Parks said. “Seeing the performers and the residents connect was priceless. That’s the kind of work we want to grow.”

CCD’s programming reaches far beyond its Broomfield studio. Each year, the school works with more than 10 Title I schools, often at no cost to students, and brings dance to thousands of community members through public performances, school partnerships and outreach initiatives. Title I schools receive federal funding to support students from

low-income families.

“Our Nutcracker now features culturally authentic dance forms, including Spanish, Arabic and Chinese,” said Parks. “These are performed with care and respect.”

Each spring, CCD creates an original production inspired by literature. This year’s show, “Romeo and Juliet: A Choice,” invited the audience to vote on two different endings. Last year’s piece, “Home Isn’t Me,” reimagined The Secret Garden through the lens of anti-bullying and emotional resilience.

At its core, CCD is about creating a space where students of all ages feel welcomed, challenged, and understood — not just as dancers, but as people.

“It reminds me of that Ken Robinson TED Talk, about the girl who was called ‘difficult’ until she found dance,” Parks said. “She said, ‘I finally found people who think like me.’ That’s what we want CCD to be.”

To keep that mission going, Parks is asking the broader community for support, whether by making a donation, spreading the word, or showing up to a performance.

In the meantime, the school is preparing for “DanceFound,” a concert showcasing adult students performing original choreography. While the show focuses on older dancers, Parks sees it as a symbol of everything CCD represents.

“It’s one of the most unique concerts you’ll ever see,” she said. “To celebrate the confidence and creativity of these adult dancers is a privilege.”

The cast includes artists who have trained for decades and others who walked into their first dance class only a few months ago. Some are trying tap dance for the first time, and others are returning to the stage after long absences.

“One of our dancers just started tapping in the fall, and now they’re performing in front of an audience,” said Parks. “We don’t often see adult dancers get the chance to perform their own work, especially on a stage like this.”

“DanceFound” reflects the school’s core values: accessibility, community and a belief in lifelong learning. It presents a chance for adult students to be seen, supported and artistically challenged in the same way CCD encourages growth at every level.

“I’m a huge advocate for lifelong learning,” Parks said. “To celebrate their ideas, their bravery, and their creativity, it’s honestly a privilege. I hope we can continue to bring dance to our community, and bring our community to dance.”