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Magnify Dance Center Faculty
Claire Jones
Ballet, Cecchetti, Technique Integration
Meet The Teachers
Andrea Basile is a native of Albuquerque, NM. Ms. Basile began training under the direction of Karen Alwin and Lynn Cox and to this day works very closely with them on training pre-professional dancers in NM and CA. Ms. Basile continued her training at the San Francisco Ballet School before starting her professional career.
She is a dancer, teacher, choreographer, photographer, and most recently founded The Five Point Dancer Theory as an online resource to advocate for the wellness of young dancers. She moved to San Francisco after high school and continued to have a 20 year professional dance career in the Bay Area. Through many years of experience as a dancer, she has become passionate about building a solid foundation of support and informative guidance for the next generation of dancers who wish to reach their maximum potential. She moved back to New Mexico in 2015, is Co-owner of Magnify Dance Center, Artistic Director of Magnify Dance Ensemble, and continues to teach and choreograph for Marin Dance Theatre, in CA.
Ms. Basile has performed with several dance companies, including The San Francisco Ballet, ODC Dance, Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet, Kate Weare Company, Amy Seiwert’s Imagery, Smuin Ballet, The Lawrence Pech Dance Company, and The Foundry. Ms. Basile’s performance highlights include classical and contemporary works; Allegro Brilliante (Balanchine), Glass Pieces (Robbins), La Bayadere (Petipa), Etudes (Lander),Othello (Lar Lubovitch), Swan Lake (Tomasson), the premier of Mark Morris’ Sandpaper Ballet, The People of The Forest Project (Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet), Drop Down (The Kate Weare Company), It’s Not a Cry (Amy Seiwert’s Imagery), and more. Founder and Artistic Director of LINES Contemporary Ballet, Alonzo King, choreographed Pas for Ms. Basile and Homer Avila which premiered with Axis Dance Company, toured across the United States, and was featured on the cover of Dance Magazine.
Ms. Basile’s teaching career spans 23 years. She teaches ballet, pointe, jazz, hip hop, contemporary ballet, improvisation, and composition. Ms. Basile has been an instructor at many dance schools, including Alwin’s School of the Dance, LINES Ballet School, San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, Cincinnati Ballet Academy, Marin Ballet, Marin Dance Theater, the ODC School, and now Magnify Dance Center. She has taught for professional companies such as: ODC Dance, Smuin Ballet, Amy Seiwert’s Imagery, and Robert Moses’ KIN. Ms. Basile served as a choreographer’s assistant to Marc Brew, a leading choreographer from the UK, and Ballet Mistress for AXIS Dance Company. During her time in San Francisco, Ms. Basile worked under the mentorship of two top dance photographers and began to photograph for different dance companies and performers. She then became the photographer for the San Francisco Ballet for three years before returning back to full time dancing and to this day continues to photograph for dancers and dance schools in New Mexico.
Ms Basile has choreographed solos for numerous dance competitions, including YAGP and the Cecchetti International Ballet Competition. Her choreography has also been featured in many showcases and summer intensives of pre-professional ballet schools. Within the past four years she has had the opportunity to choreograph at Marin Dance Theatre, where she creates several new works per year on their top pre-professional students.
Ms. Basile has furthered her education by becoming a Certified Personal Trainer and believes that dancers are athletes as well as artists, which has become a major part of the creation of the Five Point Dancer Theory. This multifaceted program works with students to create a more mindful and well rounded dancer through workshops, online resources, and services offered by highly certified health professionals. She brings all of this knowledge and experience together to share her passion for dance with others and to continue to help each dancer she works with reach their maximum potential.
Lindsay graduated summa cum laude from Liberty University in August 2021 with a degree in Worship Studies. She has developed a passion for teaching, and has taught ballet and modern classes in the U.S., as well as in France, Switzerland, and Bulgaria. In 2022, she was named Studio Director at Magnify Dance Center and co-Artistic Director of Magnify Dance Ensemble. Lindsay is a Member of the Cecchetti Council of America and has her Teacher’s Certification for Cecchetti Grades I and II. She is excited to serve the Magnify community through her gifts and experiences, along with her deep love for her students and the art of dance.
Wendy Miner is passionate about sharing her love for dance and imparting a disciplined desire for excellence in dance to each of her students.
Wendy began her study of dance at the age of three under the instruction of Karen Alwin. Under Alwin’s mentorship, Wendy grew up as a member of The Performers Ballet & Jazz Company, gaining pre-professional performance experience and training. During her teen years, Wendy began teaching and coaching rehearsals 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.
She also performed commercially across the country in corporate trade shows, videos and commercials. Wendy was groomed as a teacher under the tutelage of Karen Alwin. She has taught for over 25 years in numerous studios in New Mexico, Utah, Chicago and California and was a summer faculty with Lines Ballet School.Wendy earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The University of New Mexico with additional studies in biology and nutrition.
Wendy is a Licentiate Member of the Cecchetti Council of America and carries her Teacher’s Certification for Cecchetti grades I-VI, as well as her student certifications. She is currently training and studying for certification in Cecchetti Advanced (grade VII).
In 2010 Wendy was appointed Artistic Director of Albuquerque’s pre-professional training company, The Performers Ballet & Jazz Company, where she directs dance performance and educational programs for 65+ aspiring, young dancers. In addition to teaching, Wendy is an accomplished choreographer and has commissioned full length productions for dance companies & casinos. Her choreography has twice earned the National Merit Award in the AG Fine Arts competition as well as achieved high scoring at YAGP and other competitions.
Having two decades of teaching experience and being pulled by a sense of purpose to impart the joy, discipline and direction of dance education into young lives, in 2014 Wendy opened Magnify Dance Center. Magnify’s mission is to nurture students to achieve their fullest potential as well as to positively impact our community through artistic integrity. Wendy has cultivated a top-notch and well-rounded Faculty who make Magnify a place to lovingly guide, inspire, teach and shape its students toward their personal best.Wendy and her husband Allen are the proud parents of three children.
Karen Alwin has taught dance for more than 50 years. She was the founder and owner of Alwin School of the Dance (1975-2010) and the founder of The Performers Ballet & Jazz Company.
Ms. Alwin is a member of Dance Masters of America, Cecchetti Council of America, and Chicago National Dance Masters. Ms. Alwin holds a teacher’s certificate for Primary-Intermediate Professional grade for the Cecchetti Method through the Cecchetti Council of America. She is dedicated to the love and discipline of classical ballet and utilizes her expertise and decades of experience to grow and advance each of her students.
Ms. Alwin is responsible for the training and love for dance instilled in hundreds, if not thousands, of dancers, including every other Magnify Faculty (with only one exception). Magnify is proud to carry on Ms. Alwin’s strong sense of discipline and respect for the art of dance as well as her high technical standard and expectation.
Our 2018 Showcase, The Golden Years, A Tribute to Karen Alwin, will remind audiences of the enormous impact Karen Alwin has had on the dance world in the state of NM and beyond.
Karroll Candelaria-Bauer is an Albuquerque native and a recent EMBA graduate from Anderson School of Management at UNM. She received most of her extensive dance training right here in the Land of Enchantment under the direction of Karen Alwin, Suzanne Johnson, Kay Windsor Brooks, Bill Evans, Lana Kroth, Eva Encinias, and David Chavez. In addition, Ms. Candelaria-Bauer has studied dance in New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Michigan, and San Francisco.
She has performed as a principal dancer for the New Mexico Ballet Company, the Performers Ballet & Jazz Company, and Festival Ballet Albuquerque. Karroll’s adventures as a professional dancer include featured roles at Sea World of San Diego, Princess Cruises, and numerous Commercial, TV, and movie appearances.
Ms. Candelaria-Bauer has been teaching Ballet, Cecchetti, Tap, Jazz, and Tumbling for 37 years in Albuquerque, San Diego, and Los Angeles. She has choreographed and produced dance productions, award winning competition pieces, and musical theater shows throughout the country.
Karroll currently teaches musical theater, tap, and jazz for Albuquerque Academy’s Think Summer program, hip hop, ballet, jazz, and tap for Manzano Day School’s Sensations program, and offers private coaching sessions for competition pieces and individual improvement in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and tumbling. Her passion for sharing the love of dance is never-ending and she is proud to say that many of her former students are now dance teachers, dance studio owners, or professional dancers themselves. In her spare time, Ms. Candelaria-Bauer works at Manzano Day School as the Development Assistant.
Kara Schubert Carroll began her dance training at age three with Karen Alwin. She joined The Performers Ballet & Jazz Company at age 7, and performed in Christmas Joy, summer intensives, showcases, and summer workshops around the country until she graduated from high school. She taught dance off and on at various studios in Oklahoma and Arizona while in college and grad school, and began dancing regularly at Magnify after returning to Albuquerque in 2013. Kara is currently pursuing her Teacher’s Certifications for Cecchetti Technique.
Kara holds bachelor’s degrees in history and Spanish from Oklahoma State University, and earned her Ph.D. in history from Arizona State University in 2009. She taught history at ASU for four years after graduation, and was thrilled to be able to move home to Albuquerque in 2013 after landing her dream job as a history instructor at Central New Mexico Community College. She and her husband Shiloh are the proud parents of two daughters, who love dancing at Magnify almost as much as their mother.
Allie Carroll began her dance training at Magnify Dance Center at the age of seven. She joined Magnify Dance Ensemble in 2017 and has performed in Christmas Joy, How Love Wins, and MDC’s annual Showcase. Allie choreographed and performed a duet for Hope Church’s fine arts night ‘Fullness’ in 2023. She started as an Intern at Magnify Dance Center in 2023, undergoing Magnify’s full curriculum training under the guidance of the Senior Faculty.
Allie attends Sandia High School and is a member of the Student Senate.
Vladimir Conde Reche is a native of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Vladimir received his BFA from The Julliard School and MFA in choreography from the University of Iowa. A dancer with the Cisne Negro Dance Company, Ballet Stagiun, and guest artist for other companies, Vladimir has been performing, choreographing, and teaching nationally and internationally.
Amongst the countries he had worked in are Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Colombia, England, Germany, Italy, Mongolia, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South Africa, the United States, and Uruguay. Vladimir also participated in a workshop in Israel with Ohad Naharin and dancers from the Batsheva Dance Company, immersing himself in Naharin’s Gaga technique.
With his extensive training in ballet and his background in Graham, Limón, and Taylor techniques, Vladimir teaches technique classes that align traditional with contemporary techniques, applying the necessary approaches to guide young dancers of the current generation toward the demands of the present performance arenas.
Vladimir is constantly choreographing, working with students and professionals in contemporary, ballet, and theatrical idioms.
Trinity Harbaugh started her dance journey at the age of three, under Karen Alwin, at the Alwin School of Dance in 2008. She later joined Magnify Dance Ensemble in 2010 and has recently become a Senior Soloist in the company. Trinity has also completed testing for Cecchetti technique in grades I-V.
Throughout Trinity’s many years of dancing, she has grown as a mentor and a leader for her fellow dancers, leading her to be active in the Magnify Mentor Program. Trinity is also involved in Fine-Arts, a nationwide competition between churches, and she won the Award of Merit in the category of Worship Dance Solo. Trinity is grateful for the opportunity to share her love and knowledge of dance with young dancers.
Claire Jones, a native New Mexican, began her dance training at the age of 7 under the tutelage of Karen Alwin and Wendy Miner. In 2013, she joined Magnify Dance Ensemble, the studio’s pre-professional company, becoming a senior soloist in 2021 and dancing in numerous productions including a leading role as Mary Magdalene in How Love Wins. From 2019-2022, Claire trained intensively under the mentorship of Andrea Basile. During this period, she competed multiple times in YAGP where she placed top twelve for classical ballet and been offered numerous scholarships.
Claire participated in many additional training programs locally and nationally including Magnify Dance Center’s Five Point Dancer workshop training under Lynn Cox, Catherine Batcheller, Lei Wei Chao, and Vladimir Conde Reche, and the Washington Ballet Summer Intensive training under Xiomara Reyes and Pamela Bjerknes. She participated under full scholarship at the East Coast Cecchetti Council of America’s Fall and Spring workshops and the Cecchetti Council of America’s Summer Intensive, training under Melissa Bowman, Franco De Vita, Diane van Schoor, Ravenna Tucker Wagnon, Christopher Tabor, Laszlo Berdo, and others. In 2021 she attended Colorado Ballet’s Summer Intensive under scholarship, training with Erica Fischbach, John Gardner, and Amanda McKerrow. At this time, she was invited to train year-round with Colorado Ballet.
Claire is foundationally trained in ballet but has also studied jazz and contemporary. She has completed her student certification for Cecchetti Levels I – VI. Claire is currently a student at the University of New Mexico studying Biochemistry. She is thrilled to be a part of the Magnify Dance Center Faculty, sharing her passion for dance with a new generation of dancers!
Lauren Maddock started pursuing her passion for dance at the age of three. She began training under Karen Alwin, at the Alwin School of Dance in 2013, and joined the Performers Ballet and Jazz Company in 2014. Lauren completed testing for Cecchetti I-VII in the fall of 2018 under Karen Alwin and Wendy Miner’s guidance.
Throughout the past 7 years Lauren has been involved in Christmas Joy, How Love Wins, Spring Gala, showcases put on through Magnify Dance Center, and was a part of the rehearsal process for the Dancer Initiative Project and Dance For a Wish:Magnify Showcase 2020 this past year. For the past 3 years Lauren was chosen and represented the company as a leading soloist. Lauren has attended The Performers Ballet and Jazz Company Summer Intensive for many summers, where she has received training from prestigious teachers such as: Lee Wei Chao, Lynn Cox, Joanna Berman, Amy London, Ben Needham- Wood, Jo Bolden, Christina Woodward, Kevin Jenkins, Todd Wilson, and others.
In 2017, Lauren attended the very first Five Point Dancer intensive led by Andrea Basile, which introduced her to how she could become the best version of herself. Lauren attended The Jillana School in Taos, New Mexico during the summer of 2015, and trained under Jillana herself, where she learned numerous variations and performed part of the well-known and beautiful ballet Serenade. In the summer of 2018, Lauren traveled to Marin, California to attend the Marin Dance Theatre summer intensive on scholarship, where she trained under Lynn Cox, Margaret Swarthout and the other renowned faculty members. Lauren attended Modas during the summer of 2019 at the University of New Mexico, and trained under Layla Amis, Elana Anderson, Vladimir Conde Reche, and was selected to be in a set piece of repertoire choreographed by the prestige Yin Yue.
Lauren recently graduated from Saint Pius X High School, with first honors and belonged to the National Honor Society. Lauren attends the University of New Mexico and is excited for what the future holds. Dance has truly helped shape the woman she has become, and is beyond blessed and excited to share her tremendous love for dance with the next generation of students.
Evelyn Mostrom started her dance journey at the age of five, training under Karen Alwin and Wendy Miner at Magnify Dance Center. Quickly falling in love with dance, she began Magnify’s Conservatory program soon after. In 2016 she joined Magnify Dance Ensemble and made her debut to the stage in Christmas Joy. Evelyn has gone on to perform in How Love Wins, Showcases with Magnify Dance Center as well as Spring Gala over the past 10 years. She has also completed her student Cecchetti technique exams for Grades I through IV.
Evelyn attends Magnify Dance Center’s annual summer intensive to train under guest artists such as Andrea Basile, Julie Nguyen and more. During the summer of 2024 Evelyn attended Marin Dance Theater’s intensive in California to further her dance education in ballet technique and contemporary under the watchful eye of Lynn Cox. Evelyn also participates in Magnify Dance Center’s Competition Team, competing at events such as NYCDA, Fluid Dance and Streetz. Evelyn is pleased to join the Magnify Mentorship Program as an Intern to further pursue her dreams of teaching dance to the next generation of dedicated dancers.
Lila Thiebaut began her dance journey at the age of three at Alwin’s School of Dance. She later continued dancing at Keshet Dance Center for the Arts and The National Dance Institute of New Mexico (NDI). She then joined the Magnify family in 2014.
Lila has found a love of teaching and choreography as she has begun teaching dance to members of the Rio Grande Down Syndrome Network. She has also participated and choreographed in ‘Fullness’ at Hope Church here in New Mexico. Having participated in the Magnify Mentorship Program for many years, Lila is grateful to be a part of the teaching community at Magnify.
Carolina Valverde is a New Mexico native and began her dance training under Ms. Karen Alwin at the age of seven. She trained in ballet, jazz, and contemporary, and received her student certifications for the Cecchetti Method grades I-VII by the age of 14.
Very early on Carolina felt a passion for dance and performing and joined the Performer’s Ballet & Jazz Company in 2008. While in the company, Carolina performed lead roles in various productions such as “Christmas Joy,” “How Love Wins,” and “Project Jazz.” Receiving incredible training during the summer workshops at Magnify Dance Center from teachers including Wendy Miner, Andrea Basile, Luis Fuentes, Catherine Batcheller, Joanna Berman, and Lee Wei Chao, Carolina was inspired to explore more of what the dance community had to offer. Carolina traveled to Marin Dance Theater with a full tuition scholarship, where she spent two summers (2014, 2015) training with Lynn Cox and Margaret Swarthout.
In 2017, Carolina auditioned for and attended the Houston Ballet Summer Intensive Program to which she received a full scholarship. Carolina was infatuated with this new world of ballet she had come to discover and was offered a full scholarship to train at Stanton Welch AM’s Houston Ballet Academy year-round. With the support of her family and dance teachers, Carolina felt it was the right time to further her dance education and moved to Houston, Texas, where she progressed through the Professional Program at HBA to the status of Invited Guest of Houston Ballet’s second company, HBII. Carolina trained with Stanton Welch AM, Claudio Muñoz, Vicki Attard, Melissa Bowman, and Cherynne Busch.
In her three years in the prestigious academy, Carolina performed both classical and contemporary works which are widely known throughout the country and across the globe. Some of these works and roles include “Swan Lake,” “Raymonda,” La Bayadère,” by Stanton Welch AM, ‘Red Riding Hood’ from Claudio Muñoz’s “The Sleeping Beauty,” a solo from “The Ladies” by Stanton Welch AM, ‘Moyna’ from Stanton Welch AM’s “Giselle,” the ‘Sugar Plum Pas de Deux’ from “The Nutcracker,” and “Molto Espressivo” by Ilya Kozadeyv. Carolina also performed alongside the Houston Ballet company in numerous productions, which she enjoyed very much.
Carolina is continuing her education at The University of New Mexico, where she is studying Exercise Science in hopes to become a physical therapist who specializes in dance medicine. Carolina recently became a Member of the Cecchetti Council of America and carries her Teacher’s Certification for Cecchetti grades I and II. She is also a Pointe Safe certified instructor. She is very fortunate that ballet helped her develop determination, discipline, and passion, not only in ballet but in everything she does, and cannot wait to share her love of dance with her students and the Magnify family.
Lynn Cox studied under such noted teachers as Erik Bruhn, Francoise Martinet, Alfonso Cata and Robert Barnett. She was recognized by the National Federation of Music Clubs and received the first place honor in their ballet division.
Ms. Cox went on to dance professionally with the Atlanta Ballet for several years, performing such classics as Serenade, Sleeping Beauty, Carmina Burana, Raymonda, Allegro Brilliante and The Nutcracker. She previously held the position of Ballet Mistress for two regional companies and was the Pre-Professional Division Head for the Marin Ballet. She is currently the Resident Choreographer and School Director at Marin Dance Theatre.
Ms. Cox is a vital part of MDT’s training program. She is skilled as a teacher on all levels who oversees and trains MDT’s faculty, creating an atmosphere for all the dancers that is both developmental and consistent. She has received numerous awards for her outstanding choreography.
Ms. Cox’s foundational efforts to the creation of Christmas Joy as well as her ongoing contributions of choreography keep her as a valued member of our MDC family.
Andrea Basile is a native of Albuquerque, NM. Ms. Basile began training under the direction of Karen Alwin and Lynn Cox and to this day works very closely with them on training pre-professional dancers in NM and CA. Ms. Basile continued her training at the San Francisco Ballet School before starting her professional career.
She is a dancer, teacher, choreographer, photographer, and most recently founded The Five Point Dancer Theory as an online resource to advocate for the wellness of young dancers. She moved to San Francisco after high school and continued to have a 20 year professional dance career in the Bay Area. Through many years of experience as a dancer, she has become passionate about building a solid foundation of support and informative guidance for the next generation of dancers who wish to reach their maximum potential. She moved back to New Mexico in 2015, is Co-owner of Magnify Dance Center, Artistic Director of Magnify Dance Ensemble, and continues to teach and choreograph for Marin Dance Theatre, in CA.
Ms. Basile has performed with several dance companies, including The San Francisco Ballet, ODC Dance, Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet, Kate Weare Company, Amy Seiwert’s Imagery, Smuin Ballet, The Lawrence Pech Dance Company, and The Foundry. Ms. Basile’s performance highlights include classical and contemporary works; Allegro Brilliante (Balanchine), Glass Pieces (Robbins), La Bayadere (Petipa), Etudes (Lander),Othello (Lar Lubovitch), Swan Lake (Tomasson), the premier of Mark Morris’ Sandpaper Ballet, The People of The Forest Project (Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet), Drop Down (The Kate Weare Company), It’s Not a Cry (Amy Seiwert’s Imagery), and more. Founder and Artistic Director of LINES Contemporary Ballet, Alonzo King, choreographed Pas for Ms. Basile and Homer Avila which premiered with Axis Dance Company, toured across the United States, and was featured on the cover of Dance Magazine.
Ms. Basile’s teaching career spans 23 years. She teaches ballet, pointe, jazz, hip hop, contemporary ballet, improvisation, and composition. Ms. Basile has been an instructor at many dance schools, including Alwin’s School of the Dance, LINES Ballet School, San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, Cincinnati Ballet Academy, Marin Ballet, Marin Dance Theater, the ODC School, and now Magnify Dance Center. She has taught for professional companies such as: ODC Dance, Smuin Ballet, Amy Seiwert’s Imagery, and Robert Moses’ KIN. Ms. Basile served as a choreographer’s assistant to Marc Brew, a leading choreographer from the UK, and Ballet Mistress for AXIS Dance Company. During her time in San Francisco, Ms. Basile worked under the mentorship of two top dance photographers and began to photograph for different dance companies and performers. She then became the photographer for the San Francisco Ballet for three years before returning back to full time dancing and to this day continues to photograph for dancers and dance schools in New Mexico.
Ms Basile has choreographed solos for numerous dance competitions, including YAGP and the Cecchetti International Ballet Competition. Her choreography has also been featured in many showcases and summer intensives of pre-professional ballet schools. Within the past four years she has had the opportunity to choreograph at Marin Dance Theatre, where she creates several new works per year on their top pre-professional students.
Ms. Basile has furthered her education by becoming a Certified Personal Trainer and believes that dancers are athletes as well as artists, which has become a major part of the creation of the Five Point Dancer Theory. This multifaceted program works with students to create a more mindful and well rounded dancer through workshops, online resources, and services offered by highly certified health professionals. She brings all of this knowledge and experience together to share her passion for dance with others and to continue to help each dancer she works with reach their maximum potential.
Lindsay graduated summa cum laude from Liberty University in August 2021 with a degree in Worship Studies. She has developed a passion for teaching, and has taught ballet and modern classes in the U.S., as well as in France, Switzerland, and Bulgaria. In 2022, she was named Studio Director at Magnify Dance Center and co-Artistic Director of Magnify Dance Ensemble. Lindsay is a Member of the Cecchetti Council of America and has her Teacher’s Certification for Cecchetti Grades I and II. She is excited to serve the Magnify community through her gifts and experiences, along with her deep love for her students and the art of dance.
Wendy Miner is passionate about sharing her love for dance and imparting a disciplined desire for excellence in dance to each of her students.
Wendy began her study of dance at the age of three under the instruction of Karen Alwin. Under Alwin’s mentorship, Wendy grew up as a member of The Performers Ballet & Jazz Company, gaining pre-professional performance experience and training. During her teen years, Wendy began teaching and coaching rehearsals 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.
She also performed commercially across the country in corporate trade shows, videos and commercials. Wendy was groomed as a teacher under the tutelage of Karen Alwin. She has taught for over 25 years in numerous studios in New Mexico, Utah, Chicago and California and was a summer faculty with Lines Ballet School.Wendy earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The University of New Mexico with additional studies in biology and nutrition.
Wendy is a Licentiate Member of the Cecchetti Council of America and carries her Teacher’s Certification for Cecchetti grades I-VI, as well as her student certifications. She is currently training and studying for certification in Cecchetti Advanced (grade VII).
In 2010 Wendy was appointed Artistic Director of Albuquerque’s pre-professional training company, The Performers Ballet & Jazz Company, where she directs dance performance and educational programs for 65+ aspiring, young dancers. In addition to teaching, Wendy is an accomplished choreographer and has commissioned full length productions for dance companies & casinos. Her choreography has twice earned the National Merit Award in the AG Fine Arts competition as well as achieved high scoring at YAGP and other competitions.
Having two decades of teaching experience and being pulled by a sense of purpose to impart the joy, discipline and direction of dance education into young lives, in 2014 Wendy opened Magnify Dance Center. Magnify’s mission is to nurture students to achieve their fullest potential as well as to positively impact our community through artistic integrity. Wendy has cultivated a top-notch and well-rounded Faculty who make Magnify a place to lovingly guide, inspire, teach and shape its students toward their personal best.Wendy and her husband Allen are the proud parents of three children.
Karen Alwin has taught dance for more than 50 years. She was the founder and owner of Alwin School of the Dance (1975-2010) and the founder of The Performers Ballet & Jazz Company.
Ms. Alwin is a member of Dance Masters of America, Cecchetti Council of America, and Chicago National Dance Masters. Ms. Alwin holds a teacher’s certificate for Primary-Intermediate Professional grade for the Cecchetti Method through the Cecchetti Council of America. She is dedicated to the love and discipline of classical ballet and utilizes her expertise and decades of experience to grow and advance each of her students.
Ms. Alwin is responsible for the training and love for dance instilled in hundreds, if not thousands, of dancers, including every other Magnify Faculty (with only one exception). Magnify is proud to carry on Ms. Alwin’s strong sense of discipline and respect for the art of dance as well as her high technical standard and expectation.
Our 2018 Showcase, The Golden Years, A Tribute to Karen Alwin, will remind audiences of the enormous impact Karen Alwin has had on the dance world in the state of NM and beyond.
Karroll Candelaria-Bauer is an Albuquerque native and a recent EMBA graduate from Anderson School of Management at UNM. She received most of her extensive dance training right here in the Land of Enchantment under the direction of Karen Alwin, Suzanne Johnson, Kay Windsor Brooks, Bill Evans, Lana Kroth, Eva Encinias, and David Chavez. In addition, Ms. Candelaria-Bauer has studied dance in New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Michigan, and San Francisco.
She has performed as a principal dancer for the New Mexico Ballet Company, the Performers Ballet & Jazz Company, and Festival Ballet Albuquerque. Karroll’s adventures as a professional dancer include featured roles at Sea World of San Diego, Princess Cruises, and numerous Commercial, TV, and movie appearances.
Ms. Candelaria-Bauer has been teaching Ballet, Cecchetti, Tap, Jazz, and Tumbling for 37 years in Albuquerque, San Diego, and Los Angeles. She has choreographed and produced dance productions, award winning competition pieces, and musical theater shows throughout the country.
Karroll currently teaches musical theater, tap, and jazz for Albuquerque Academy’s Think Summer program, hip hop, ballet, jazz, and tap for Manzano Day School’s Sensations program, and offers private coaching sessions for competition pieces and individual improvement in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and tumbling. Her passion for sharing the love of dance is never-ending and she is proud to say that many of her former students are now dance teachers, dance studio owners, or professional dancers themselves. In her spare time, Ms. Candelaria-Bauer works at Manzano Day School as the Development Assistant.
Kara Schubert Carroll began her dance training at age three with Karen Alwin. She joined The Performers Ballet & Jazz Company at age 7, and performed in Christmas Joy, summer intensives, showcases, and summer workshops around the country until she graduated from high school. She taught dance off and on at various studios in Oklahoma and Arizona while in college and grad school, and began dancing regularly at Magnify after returning to Albuquerque in 2013. Kara is currently pursuing her Teacher’s Certifications for Cecchetti Technique.
Kara holds bachelor’s degrees in history and Spanish from Oklahoma State University, and earned her Ph.D. in history from Arizona State University in 2009. She taught history at ASU for four years after graduation, and was thrilled to be able to move home to Albuquerque in 2013 after landing her dream job as a history instructor at Central New Mexico Community College. She and her husband Shiloh are the proud parents of two daughters, who love dancing at Magnify almost as much as their mother.
Allie Carroll began her dance training at Magnify Dance Center at the age of seven. She joined Magnify Dance Ensemble in 2017 and has performed in Christmas Joy, How Love Wins, and MDC’s annual Showcase. Allie choreographed and performed a duet for Hope Church’s fine arts night ‘Fullness’ in 2023. She started as an Intern at Magnify Dance Center in 2023, undergoing Magnify’s full curriculum training under the guidance of the Senior Faculty.
Allie attends Sandia High School and is a member of the Student Senate.
Vladimir Conde Reche is a native of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Vladimir received his BFA from The Julliard School and MFA in choreography from the University of Iowa. A dancer with the Cisne Negro Dance Company, Ballet Stagiun, and guest artist for other companies, Vladimir has been performing, choreographing, and teaching nationally and internationally.
Amongst the countries he had worked in are Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Colombia, England, Germany, Italy, Mongolia, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South Africa, the United States, and Uruguay. Vladimir also participated in a workshop in Israel with Ohad Naharin and dancers from the Batsheva Dance Company, immersing himself in Naharin’s Gaga technique.
With his extensive training in ballet and his background in Graham, Limón, and Taylor techniques, Vladimir teaches technique classes that align traditional with contemporary techniques, applying the necessary approaches to guide young dancers of the current generation toward the demands of the present performance arenas.
Vladimir is constantly choreographing, working with students and professionals in contemporary, ballet, and theatrical idioms.
Trinity Harbaugh started her dance journey at the age of three, under Karen Alwin, at the Alwin School of Dance in 2008. She later joined Magnify Dance Ensemble in 2010 and has recently become a Senior Soloist in the company. Trinity has also completed testing for Cecchetti technique in grades I-V.
Throughout Trinity’s many years of dancing, she has grown as a mentor and a leader for her fellow dancers, leading her to be active in the Magnify Mentor Program. Trinity is also involved in Fine-Arts, a nationwide competition between churches, and she won the Award of Merit in the category of Worship Dance Solo. Trinity is grateful for the opportunity to share her love and knowledge of dance with young dancers.
Claire Jones, a native New Mexican, began her dance training at the age of 7 under the tutelage of Karen Alwin and Wendy Miner. In 2013, she joined Magnify Dance Ensemble, the studio’s pre-professional company, becoming a senior soloist in 2021 and dancing in numerous productions including a leading role as Mary Magdalene in How Love Wins. From 2019-2022, Claire trained intensively under the mentorship of Andrea Basile. During this period, she competed multiple times in YAGP where she placed top twelve for classical ballet and been offered numerous scholarships.
Claire participated in many additional training programs locally and nationally including Magnify Dance Center’s Five Point Dancer workshop training under Lynn Cox, Catherine Batcheller, Lei Wei Chao, and Vladimir Conde Reche, and the Washington Ballet Summer Intensive training under Xiomara Reyes and Pamela Bjerknes. She participated under full scholarship at the East Coast Cecchetti Council of America’s Fall and Spring workshops and the Cecchetti Council of America’s Summer Intensive, training under Melissa Bowman, Franco De Vita, Diane van Schoor, Ravenna Tucker Wagnon, Christopher Tabor, Laszlo Berdo, and others. In 2021 she attended Colorado Ballet’s Summer Intensive under scholarship, training with Erica Fischbach, John Gardner, and Amanda McKerrow. At this time, she was invited to train year-round with Colorado Ballet.
Claire is foundationally trained in ballet but has also studied jazz and contemporary. She has completed her student certification for Cecchetti Levels I – VI. Claire is currently a student at the University of New Mexico studying Biochemistry. She is thrilled to be a part of the Magnify Dance Center Faculty, sharing her passion for dance with a new generation of dancers!
Lauren Maddock started pursuing her passion for dance at the age of three. She began training under Karen Alwin, at the Alwin School of Dance in 2013, and joined the Performers Ballet and Jazz Company in 2014. Lauren completed testing for Cecchetti I-VII in the fall of 2018 under Karen Alwin and Wendy Miner’s guidance.
Throughout the past 7 years Lauren has been involved in Christmas Joy, How Love Wins, Spring Gala, showcases put on through Magnify Dance Center, and was a part of the rehearsal process for the Dancer Initiative Project and Dance For a Wish:Magnify Showcase 2020 this past year. For the past 3 years Lauren was chosen and represented the company as a leading soloist. Lauren has attended The Performers Ballet and Jazz Company Summer Intensive for many summers, where she has received training from prestigious teachers such as: Lee Wei Chao, Lynn Cox, Joanna Berman, Amy London, Ben Needham- Wood, Jo Bolden, Christina Woodward, Kevin Jenkins, Todd Wilson, and others.
In 2017, Lauren attended the very first Five Point Dancer intensive led by Andrea Basile, which introduced her to how she could become the best version of herself. Lauren attended The Jillana School in Taos, New Mexico during the summer of 2015, and trained under Jillana herself, where she learned numerous variations and performed part of the well-known and beautiful ballet Serenade. In the summer of 2018, Lauren traveled to Marin, California to attend the Marin Dance Theatre summer intensive on scholarship, where she trained under Lynn Cox, Margaret Swarthout and the other renowned faculty members. Lauren attended Modas during the summer of 2019 at the University of New Mexico, and trained under Layla Amis, Elana Anderson, Vladimir Conde Reche, and was selected to be in a set piece of repertoire choreographed by the prestige Yin Yue.
Lauren recently graduated from Saint Pius X High School, with first honors and belonged to the National Honor Society. Lauren attends the University of New Mexico and is excited for what the future holds. Dance has truly helped shape the woman she has become, and is beyond blessed and excited to share her tremendous love for dance with the next generation of students.
Evelyn Mostrom started her dance journey at the age of five, training under Karen Alwin and Wendy Miner at Magnify Dance Center. Quickly falling in love with dance, she began Magnify’s Conservatory program soon after. In 2016 she joined Magnify Dance Ensemble and made her debut to the stage in Christmas Joy. Evelyn has gone on to perform in How Love Wins, Showcases with Magnify Dance Center as well as Spring Gala over the past 10 years. She has also completed her student Cecchetti technique exams for Grades I through IV.
Evelyn attends Magnify Dance Center’s annual summer intensive to train under guest artists such as Andrea Basile, Julie Nguyen and more. During the summer of 2024 Evelyn attended Marin Dance Theater’s intensive in California to further her dance education in ballet technique and contemporary under the watchful eye of Lynn Cox. Evelyn also participates in Magnify Dance Center’s Competition Team, competing at events such as NYCDA, Fluid Dance, and Streetz. Evelyn is pleased to join the Magnify Mentorship Program as an Intern to further pursue her dreams of teaching dance to the next generation of dedicated dancers.
Lila Thiebaut began her dance journey at the age of three at Alwin’s School of Dance. She later continued dancing at Keshet Dance Center for the Arts and The National Dance Institute of New Mexico (NDI). She then joined the Magnify family in 2014.
Lila has found a love of teaching and choreography as she has begun teaching dance to members of the Rio Grande Down Syndrome Network. She has also participated and choreographed in ‘Fullness’ at Hope Church here in New Mexico. Having participated in the Magnify Mentorship Program for many years, Lila is grateful to be a part of the teaching community at Magnify.
Carolina Valverde is a New Mexico native and began her dance training under Ms. Karen Alwin at the age of seven. She trained in ballet, jazz, and contemporary, and received her student certifications for the Cecchetti Method grades I-VII by the age of 14.
Very early on Carolina felt a passion for dance and performing and joined the Performer’s Ballet & Jazz Company in 2008. While in the company, Carolina performed lead roles in various productions such as “Christmas Joy,” “How Love Wins,” and “Project Jazz.” Receiving incredible training during the summer workshops at Magnify Dance Center from teachers including Wendy Miner, Andrea Basile, Luis Fuentes, Catherine Batcheller, Joanna Berman, and Lee Wei Chao, Carolina was inspired to explore more of what the dance community had to offer. Carolina traveled to Marin Dance Theater with a full tuition scholarship, where she spent two summers (2014, 2015) training with Lynn Cox and Margaret Swarthout.
In 2017, Carolina auditioned for and attended the Houston Ballet Summer Intensive Program to which she received a full scholarship. Carolina was infatuated with this new world of ballet she had come to discover and was offered a full scholarship to train at Stanton Welch AM’s Houston Ballet Academy year-round. With the support of her family and dance teachers, Carolina felt it was the right time to further her dance education and moved to Houston, Texas, where she progressed through the Professional Program at HBA to the status of Invited Guest of Houston Ballet’s second company, HBII. Carolina trained with Stanton Welch AM, Claudio Muñoz, Vicki Attard, Melissa Bowman, and Cherynne Busch.
In her three years in the prestigious academy, Carolina performed both classical and contemporary works which are widely known throughout the country and across the globe. Some of these works and roles include “Swan Lake,” “Raymonda,” La Bayadère,” by Stanton Welch AM, ‘Red Riding Hood’ from Claudio Muñoz’s “The Sleeping Beauty,” a solo from “The Ladies” by Stanton Welch AM, ‘Moyna’ from Stanton Welch AM’s “Giselle,” the ‘Sugar Plum Pas de Deux’ from “The Nutcracker,” and “Molto Espressivo” by Ilya Kozadeyv. Carolina also performed alongside the Houston Ballet company in numerous productions, which she enjoyed very much.
Carolina is continuing her education at The University of New Mexico, where she is studying Exercise Science in hopes to become a physical therapist who specializes in dance medicine. Carolina recently became a Member of the Cecchetti Council of America and carries her Teacher’s Certification for Cecchetti grades I and II. She is also a Pointe Safe certified instructor. She is very fortunate that ballet helped her develop determination, discipline, and passion, not only in ballet but in everything she does, and cannot wait to share her love of dance with her students and the Magnify family.
Lynn Cox studied under such noted teachers as Erik Bruhn, Francoise Martinet, Alfonso Cata and Robert Barnett. She was recognized by the National Federation of Music Clubs and received the first place honor in their ballet division.
Ms. Cox went on to dance professionally with the Atlanta Ballet for several years, performing such classics as Serenade, Sleeping Beauty, Carmina Burana, Raymonda, Allegro Brilliante and The Nutcracker. She previously held the position of Ballet Mistress for two regional companies and was the Pre-Professional Division Head for the Marin Ballet. She is currently the Resident Choreographer and School Director at Marin Dance Theatre.
Ms. Cox is a vital part of MDT’s training program. She is skilled as a teacher on all levels who oversees and trains MDT’s faculty, creating an atmosphere for all the dancers that is both developmental and consistent. She has received numerous awards for her outstanding choreography.
Ms. Cox’s foundational efforts to the creation of Christmas Joy as well as her ongoing contributions of choreography keep her as a valued member of our MDC family.