Kylie is returning for her eighth year of being involved in this event. She will be taking the reins as the director of the show for her second year. Ross has 26 yrs of dance experience and has been teaching (especially ballroom dance) since 2010. With a passion for the stage, she has had countless opportunities to be involved with productions as a teacher, choreographer, and performer. She moved to Pagosa in 2018 and has been ecstatic to find dance opportunities here in productions such as Burlesque and DWTPS.

We are thrilled to have Sharina back again this year! She runs a garage door company in Durango, Adams Overhead Door. She and her Star won the highly coveted Mirror Ball Trophy in 2022! She is mother to a wonderfully talented amazing young man, Donny. (And part time mother to his two best friends.) When Sharina isn’t dancing, you can find her performing as a part time actor in both Durango and Pagosa. She is also one of several leaders of a Christ centered recovery group, “Celebrate Recovery” held in Ignacio.

Jamie Anderson is originally from Farmington, New Mexico. After living in California for 10 years, she finally made her way back to be closer to her roots. She is forever grateful that she has found a dance community here in Pagosa Springs, as dance has always been a strong passion of hers. Jamie started dancing on a competitive dance team when she was 12 years old, continued dancing through high school, and taught dance after graduating. Having dance in her life again has reignited her soul! She is so excited for this opportunity with DWTPS to hopefully pass on her enthusiasm for movin’ and groovin’, to have fun, and to give back to the community in a positive way.

She taught 3rd grade at Pagosa Elementary and has worked in primary education for 12 years. She has always been a strong advocate for foundational learning and healthy development in children and she is excited to have the golden opportunity to contribute to such an outstanding cause!

Ashley Butcher has been a Pagosa Springs resident for more than 20 years, and she couldn’t be more excited to return for her 8th season as a coach for DWTPS. She grew up with a love for dance thanks to her mother and former coach Angela Wirth, who’s supported her over the decades watching her perform in school musicals, burlesque shows, and now this event. She’s incredibly grateful to not only have grown up in this wonderful community, but now to be able to give back and watch DWTPS get bigger and better every year!

Gustavo Palma, 26, and 2023 “Best Showmanship” award winner, along side his coach and dance partner, Kylie Ross. This year, he is returning for his second year as a Dance Coach and he couldn’t be more excited! Gustavo loves to support his community and is thankful that he has been asked to do this again.

“Break Legs everyone! I can’t wait to see what we all come up with.”

Originally from Southern California, Jason has been in the Durango area for the last 25 years. Jason has been blessed with one son and (3) grandchildren. Jason is the owner of Accurate Backhoe & Excavation, LLC and has been a self employed excavation contractor for the past 29 years.

Jason didn’t start dancing until about 12 years ago. He found Argentine tango about 10 years ago and it quickly became his favorite. “In my experience the intimacy found in tango is greater than that in any other dance. It may be the perfect dance expression of the masculine and the feminine, which empowers collaborative creation like no other. Two, dancing as one.” Jason is currently teaching tango in Durango two nights per week. Please visit the Durango Tango Facebook page for more info.

Matt Smolin has been dancing West Coast Swing for almost three years. He has attended local and regional workshops. Smolin is a member of the board of West Slope Westies, a non-profit organization devoted to teaching and promoting West Coast Swing.

He has previously danced in the Dancing With the Durango Stars fundraiser. A recently retired interventional cardiologist, retired Colonel in the US Army, and Iraq War veteran, in addition to a passion for West Coast Swing Smolin enjoys playing guitar, painting, flying, skiing, and spending time with his family.

Special Thanks to Leslie Carlson, Nik Ingvar, and Ali Whitman for joining us as Co-Choreographers!
We want to also thank our talented MCs, Jason Cox and Heather Simpson!