Faculty

Karroll Bauer - Tap & Jazz

Deanna Encinias - Ballet & Pointe Deanna Encinias (Classical Ballet • Pointe) grew up in Albuquerque and received her early dance training from Karen Alwin and Lynn Cox (Atlanta Ballet). Later she studied with Suzanne Johnston, Luis Fuente (Joffrey Ballet), Mel Tomlinson (NYCB), and Melissa Hayden (NYCB). She studied flamenco at UNM with Eva Encinias-Sandoval, and continued her studies of flamenco, jota, and escuela bolera in Madird. At age 16, Deanna started teaching ballet at Alwin School of the Dance and later at various studios in Albuquerque, as well as Walnut Hill School in Boston. She has also taught flamenco and esucela bolera at the University of NM. She has performed ballet and flamenco around the country, and has recently retired from the stage, but enjoys her career as a teacher.

Joanna Harbaugh (Jazz) has been teaching dance to children of all ages for 9 years. She began her study of dance at the age of four under the instruction of Karen Alwin. Joanna became a member of The Performers Ballet & Jazz Company and danced in Performers’ productions as well as Touch Dance Ensemble until graduating high school. She then began coaching rehearsals for The Performer’s Ballet and Jazz Company and has also taught in The Performer’s Summer Intensive workshop for 9 years. In 2006 Joanna she became the Stage Director for The Performer’s production of Christmas Joy. Joanna went on to study Elementary Education at the University of New Mexico. She is currently teaching for Albuquerque Public Schools and is on faculty at Alwin School of Dance.

Wendy Miner (Classical Ballet • Jazz) began her study of dance at the age of three under the instruction of Karen Alwin. Wendy also grew up as a member of The Performers Ballet & Jazz Company. She began teaching and coaching rehearsals at age 14 and performed leading roles in Performers’ productions. Wendy went on to study ballet at both the University of Utah and Chicago Ballet and studied jazz at Lou Conte’s school in Chicago and EDGE Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles. Wendy danced with companies in Chicago, Los Angeles and Albuquerque, including Touch Dance Ensemble and Luis Fuente Ballet New Mexico. Wendy has taught Master Classes across the country and was on faculty with Lines Ballet School. After returning to New Mexico, Wendy earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The University of New Mexico with additional studies in biology and nutrition. She is currently on faculty at Alwin School of Dance and has received her Teacher’s Certification for Cecchetti grades one through four. In addition to teaching, Wendy is an accomplished choreographer and has commissioned full-length shows for both The Performers and Santa Ana Star Casino as well as numerous ensemble pieces and solos. In 2010 Wendy became the new Artistic Director of The Performers Ballet and Jazz Company. Wendy and her husband Allen are the proud parents of three children.

Natalee Maxwell (Jazz • Private Coach) Natalee started her ballet training with Karen Alwin in 1998. She has also been under the instruction of Deanna Encinias and Wendy Miner since 2000 and has been a company dancer for The Performers Ballet & Jazz Company since 2002.  Natalee has extensive training in Cecchetti technique through Grade 6 and she has competed in dance on national and international levels and received top awards for her dance and choreography through Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP). She has also received training by renowned instructors from the following companies: Alonzo Kings LINES Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, American Ballet Theatre (ABT), and Joffrey. Natalee is honored to have joined the staff at Alwin's to share with younger students her knowledge and love for the art form of dance.

Tessa Peterson - Jazz