Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (CPRD) is a cultural ambassador, infusing vitality, innovation and education into every community we touch—around the corner and around the globe.
Every action we perform is done with the intent to transform ourselves and others; to give a voice to the voiceless; to leave a lasting legacy of excellence and understanding.
CPRD was founded in 1970 and became a 501(c)(3) Not-for-Profit organization in 1974, continuing to build upon its dance school and ensemble origins. For five decades, we have developed into an internationally esteemed organization that operates beyond the traditional performing arts model.
There are five pillars of the organization, namely, the CPRD Ensemble, Academy, Theatre, Education Programs and Art in Wellbeing. Working in concert, CPRD programs have created an oasis where a varied population—by gender, race, age and ethnicity—gather to study and appreciate a modern, cross-cultural approach to creative community development. Housed in the historic A.M.E. Shorter Church in Five Points, CPRD serves as a convener of community, art and dance.
Photo: Bamboula: Musician’s Brew, choreographed by Millicent Johnnie. Image: Jerry Metellus.
Cleo Parker Robinson is founder and artistic director of the 54-year-old Denver-based artistic institution, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (CPRD), leading a professional Ensemble (CPRDE), Cleo II (her 2nd company), a Youth Ensemble, an Academy of Dance, an International Summer Dance …
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Cleo Parker Robinson is founder and artistic director of the 54-year-old Denver-based artistic institution, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (CPRD), leading a professional Ensemble (CPRDE), Cleo II (her 2nd company), a Youth Ensemble, an Academy of Dance, an International Summer Dance Institute, a 240-seat theatre, and numerous community outreach programs nationally and internationally. She has received honors and awards from corporate, civic, community, and artistic entities world-wide, bringing CPRDE to myriad organizations and venues for performances, teaching residencies and community engagement programming. A master teacher/choreographer and cultural ambassador, she and CPRDE have performed nationwide and throughout Europe, the Caribbean, Asia, and the African continent, with their most recent international tours taking them to Bogota, Colombia in Spring of 2019 and Mexico in Fall 2019 and again in Fall of 2024.
Ms. Parker Robinson’s awards and honors include the Colorado Governor’s Award for Excellence (1974), Denver Mayor’s Award (1979), induction into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame (1989) and the Blacks in Colorado Hall of Fame (1994). Recognized in Who’s Who in America Colleges and Universities she holds an Honorary Doctorates from Denver University (1991), an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Colorado College (2003), an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service from Regis University in Denver (2008), an Alumni Award from University of Denver (2021), the 2020 Honorary Degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, Honous Causa from CU Boulder, and was named an Honorary Member of the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science (2021).
In 1991, Ms. Parker served on the task force creating a permanent location for the Denver School of the Arts (DSA), Denver’s first performing arts magnet school, and was subsequently honored In September 2017 at their 7th Annual Fall Gala, in recognition of her long-term commitment to excellence in arts education. She is also co-founder of the National Bahamian Dance Company, based in Nassau. In 2011, Ms. Parker Robinson was voted an Honorary Lifetime Trustee of the Denver Performing Arts Complex, in recognition of her longtime commitment and lasting impact. In June 2017, she received the highly prestigious DanceUSA Honor Award and in September 2017, the Randy Weeks Arts Leadership Award from the Denver School of the Arts. In March 2023, Ms. Parker Robinson, along with the other four founders of the International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD), was honored at the White House as the IABD received the 2021 National Medal of the Arts. In 2024, she was named as the Professor for the Rachel B. Noel Distinguished Visiting Professorship.
Ms. Robinson has served on NEA panels on Dance, Expansion Arts, Arts America, and Inter-Arts panels for the USIS, and for the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts as well as other national task forces, boards, and committees on the arts. In April 1999, she was appointed by then-President William Jefferson Clinton, with Senate confirmation, to serve for four years on the National Council on the Arts, a 14-member panel advising the Chairman of the NEA on agency policy and programs, evaluating and making recommendations on grant applications.
Since 2011, Ms. Parker Robinson has significantly returned to her greatest passion as a choreographer, creating and presenting Dreamcatchers: The Untold Stories of the Americas and the world premiere of her Romeo and Juliet, in collaboration with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Her work On the Edge… Reaching to Higher Ground premiered in October of 2014 in answer to resurging racial and human rights infractions world-wide. In Spring 2017, she re-staged two works, melding classical and jazz composition with the power, passion and beauty of modern dance – Romeo and Juliet and Porgy and Bess. Fall 2017 saw the premiere of Copacetic: A Tribute to Jonathon “JP” Parker, honoring her late father. In Spring of 2018, she premiered Lark Ascending in collaboration with the Boulder Philharmonic. Her Rhapsody in Black, created in collaboration with CPRD Associate Artistic Director, Winifred R. Harris, premiered at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, University of Denver. In January 2019, in collaboration with the Denver Brass, she choreographed an innovative interpretation of Bernstein’s On the Town and Spring 2019 saw a collaboration with the Colorado Ballet entitled The MOVE/ment as part of the Tour de Force series at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver Center for the Performing Arts. In 2019, she traveled to UMKC, Kansas City, to set a work on the students of CPRDE alum Gary Abbot, entitled Check Cashing Day in tribute to the jazz genius of Bobby Watson and Milt Abel. In August 2021, she premiered Standing On the Shoulders, a work commissioned by the Vail Dance Festival. September 2021 saw the debut of her work Freedom Dance, created in collaboration with jazz icon Dianne Reeves and CPRD co-founder and poet, Schyleen Qualls and in October 2021, she premiered R.I.Power, an original work commissioned by the Colorado College Fine Arts Center in Colorado Springs. Her newest work, Sacred Spaces?, set to an original score by Adonis Rose, Director of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, premiered in September 2022 at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. September 2023 saw the reprise of her innovative interpretation of The Firebird, set amidst the pantheon and legacy of Hawaiian culture. In October 2023, she choreographed and co-produced the production of Mozart Requiem Evermore in collaboration with Dr. Dennis Law.
Malik Robinson grew up and into his role at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance. After graduating with a Bachelor’s in African Studies from Regis University, he officially began his tenure as Development Director winning national awards for the acclaimed Ensemble. Malik …
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Malik Robinson grew up and into his role at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance. After graduating with a Bachelor’s in African Studies from Regis University, he officially began his tenure as Development Director winning national awards for the acclaimed Ensemble. Malik then moved on to Booking Manager increasing the Ensemble’s annual tours to 15 cities nationwide. Leading with the arts as a force for transformation and peace, he secured and lead tours to Israel and Egypt during times of heightened civil unrest. Before being named Executive Director in 2014, Malik developed and directed evidenced-based after-school programming recognized for positive findings. Malik is active on several arts organization boards and initiatives as well as a member of the Denver Metro Chamber’s Leadership Denver Class of 2015 and a Bonfils Stanton Foundation 2015 Livingston Fellow.
“Malik has demonstrated a keen ability to provide strong management while developing strategic partnerships to ensure the legacy of one of Colorado’s longest operating cultural arts institutions.”
–Gwen Brewer, CPRD Board Chair
Alfred Aristotle Walker was born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas and moved to Colorado to attend college on a track scholarship. He graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Al’s professional background is in the grocery business where he has worked in management for over 20 years with Safeway Inc. and now Kroger Inc. Al has been responsible for many multi-million dollar budgets in his career. He has extensive training in billing controls, salary management, employee training, controlling expenses, coaching/mentoring and providing strategic direction. Al is a member of the King Soopers/City Market African American Associate Resource group. This group offers support and progress to minority managers through engagement, mentoring and education. Al Walker is a husband, father, businessman, real estate investor and lover of sports, arts and culture in Colorado. Al resides in Aurora with his wife Melanie Walker and their two sons, Wyatt and Austin.
Darryl is an assistant vice president for Empower Retirement, one of the largest financial services firms in the United States. He is also a member of the Speakers Bureau International as a professional speaker as well as a stand-up comedian with 30 years of experience. His entertainment resume includes being named Denver’s Funniest Comedian in 1994; an appearance on BET’s ComicView; along with performances with greats like Jamie Foxx, Steve Harvey, Damon Wayans, Dave Chappelle, Smokey Robinson, Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight and the late Ray Charles.
Community Relations Manager | Managing Director, Janus Foundation
As Managing Director of the Janus Foundation and Community Relations Manager for Janus Capital Group, Demesha serves as a champion for community engagement programs and provides leadership and strategic support for the corporate diversity and community outreach initiatives.
In her role, she actively develops corporate wide community employee engagement opportunities and fosters the 12 diversity & inclusion employee resource groups. Demesha invests time collaborating outside of Janus with non-profit organizations such as INROADS, Cherry Creek Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement and Out & Equal. She also serves on the Board of Directors for B:CIVIC (Business Committed to Investing & Volunteering in the Community) and is on the Advisory Council for Colorado Succeeds.
Prior to joining Janus in 2001, Demesha held multiple leadership roles in various industries. She earned a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal and holds a Certificate in Corporate Citizenship Practice.
Gwendolyn Brewer was born in Washington, D.C. She spent the majority of her early life traveling throughout the United State as her father’s career in the U.S. Army took the family to various army posts around the country and overseas. After graduating from high school in Okinawa, Japan, Gwen returned to the U.S. to attend college where she received a B.A. from the University of Connecticut and an M.A. from the University of Denver. Both degrees were in Speech/Language Pathology. Gwen is a high-energy educator with more than 20 years experience working in special education with preschool through high school students identified as having learning disabilities, speech/language disorders and social/behavioral problems. During her eighteen year tenure in Boulder Valley Public Schools, she was elected chairperson of the Speech/Language Department for 3 terms and supervised 14 speech/language specialists. Committed to her community and culture, Gwen is active in a variety of civic and social organizations. She presently serves on the board of directors of Mental Health America of Colorado. Gwen also serves on the board of directors of College Summit and is a Denver Associate of Jack & Jill of America, Inc. Gwen and her husband Moses live in Centennial, Colorado and are the parents of 2 grown children, Marques and Maya.
Tyrone Gant, CTP, is a results oriented financial professional with 20+ years’ experience in the banking industry including sales management, business development and treasury management consulting. He leads the Treasury Sales group for Colorado Business Bank. Tyrone is a Denver native that is committed to the community. He currently serves as the Immediate Past President for the Rocky Mountain Association for Financial Professionals. Tyrone has also served on various youth sports organization boards.
When Lisa Hogan helps a company avoid a legal problem, she considers it to be one of her best achievements. But, when litigation is necessary, she’s the strategic, creative attorney you want on your side. Few employment litigators in the country can match Lisa’s extensive trial experience and knowledge of how business issues play out in court. Lisa knows employment law both as outside counsel and from inside business. As the former Vice President of Litigation for Level 3 Communications, she managed all outside litigation and related analyses in connection with six strategic acquisitions. This work included managing commercial, employment, class action and environmental litigation throughout the United States. She also brings the perspective of having spent five years as a Denver Deputy District Attorney.
Lisa knows employment law both as outside counsel and from inside business. As the former Vice President of Litigation for Level 3 Communications, she managed all outside litigation and related analyses in connection with six strategic acquisitions. This work included managing commercial, employment, class action and environmental litigation throughout the United States. She also brings the perspective of having spent five years as a Denver Deputy District Attorney.
Her clients include various large regional companies in industries ranging from health care to aviation, energy and engineering/construction to food service, public utilities to telecommunications.
Lisa has taught courses in criminal law and ethics at Metropolitan State College and presents regularly on trial advocacy issues. She also serves as a faculty member of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) helping to develop and teach courses on trial techniques, strategy and practice management.
Lisa Levin Appel is a retired attorney and entrepreneur with two young adult children and a beloved little dog. She served on the Board of Trustees of Colorado Ballet, including a few years as Secretary of the Board, from 2007 through 2019, when she elected to move to their Emeritus Board. In 2008 she joined the Board of Trustees of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, where she is currently nearing the end of her term (at the beginning of 2023). At the Museum she was on the Executive Committee and chaired the Compensation Committee since 2012. In 2014 Lisa joined the Board of Directors of WINGS Foundation serving as the Secretary of the Board for most of her time. WINGS supports adult survivors of child sexual abuse, primarily by providing therapist facilitated support groups for survivors and for their loved ones. In 2016 she received the inaugural Marilyn Van Derber Atler Heart of Courage Award.
Robert Thompson is an experienced telecommunications professional who brings more than 20 years of experience in the industry. Robert joined Comcast in 2014 as the VP of Field Sales and then quickly moved into the role of VP of Sales and Sales Operations where he provided the coordination of the overall strategy as it pertains to sales forecasting, budgeting, business process improvement as well as sales support and leadership effectiveness, compensation management and program optimization. Prior to joining Comcast, Robert held various executive sales roles at Time Warner Telecom, Integra Telecom, NTT, and XO Communications. In his current role, Robert leads the overall as business strategy for the Mountain West Region serving as the Regional Vice President of Comcast Business with oversight of four markets: Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona. Robert holds a BBA from Howard University.
J. Matt Thornton is an associate in the Litigation Group. Matt’s practice focuses on commercial litigation in both federal and state courts, including individual actions and class action defense, privacy and cybersecurity matters, product liability and mass tort, and disputes implicating the First Amendment.
Matt is involved in all aspects of his cases and prides himself in providing creative, business-oriented solutions for his clients. Among other things, Matt has extensive experience briefing dispositive motions, defending discovery disagreements, handling third-party discovery disputes, arguing substantive motions in court, preparing witnesses to give testimony, taking and defending depositions, negotiating individual and class action settlements, spearheading mediation, and maintaining clear, concise, and timely communications with clients.
Shale Wong, MD, MSPH, is a pediatrician and professor of pediatrics and family medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, teaching child health, advocacy, policy and health care reform with focused interests in integrated care and achieving health equity. She is director of the Eugene S. Farley, Jr. Health Policy Center and Vice Chair for Policy and Advocacy in the Department of Pediatrics. Wong served as health policy advisor to First Lady Michelle Obama for development and implementation of her signature child obesity initiative, Let’s Move, and assisted in launching Joining Forces to improve wellness and resilience of military families. Additionally, she was a senior program consultant to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Wong continues to serve on several national and community boards. As a lifelong dancer, she is inspired to advance health through the arts.
Colorado Public Radio, KCFR 90.1 FM | Colorado Matters news magazine with Chandra Thomas-Whitfield — Denver, Colo., May 23, 2024 — (Interviews include Cleo Parker Robinson; Malik Robinson; Virginia Johnsson/Dance Theatre of Harlem; Lula Washington/Lula Washington Dance; and Joan Myers Brown/Philadanco! and IABD Founder). lToday we talk with Karlya Shelton-Benjamin, one of “The Swans of Harlem,” a Denver native featured in a new book about these pioneering ballerinas and their effort to make sure their history is not overlooked or forgotten. Then, Denver's iconic Cleo Parker Robinson sees her dream come true.
Read More“CPRD is more than just a dance company. It is an institution of higher being and purpose.”—Denverite, May 16, 2024 by Isaac Vargas—
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance broke ground Wednesday on a 25,000-square-foot, four-level modern expansion adjacent to its historic headquarters.
A crowd of cultural and civic leaders, philanthropic and community supporters and a family of current and former dancers joined the organization's iconic namesake at the Center for the Healing Arts groundbreaking.
Read More2024 Spring Concert News: The artist is breaking ground and still groundbreaking—Denver Post, March 5, 2024 by Lisa Kennedy—
A short time after Cleo Parker Robinson was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2021 — along with the four other founders of the International Association of Blacks in Dance — she did a little dance in the White House. No surprise, really: Even at 75, the Denver-based choreographer and cultural doyen is so often in motion.
Read MoreCPRD Announces Spring Concert, "Legacy: Opening the Way" — Denver Urban Spectrum May 2024 Edition, p 25—
Heralding both Mother’s Day and an upcoming groundbreaking celebration, the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance 2024 Spring Concert, Legacy: Opening the Way reflects on guides and guardians, ancestors and supporters who have brought CPRD through where it is today...
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