After 22 seasons with the Colorado Ballet, Chandra Kuykendall, a Principle Dancer with the AGMA signatory company, will retire in April of this year. When taking into account her schooling, she has been with Colorado Ballet for 31 years.
"My proudest time at Colorado Ballet is right now," stated Kuykendall said in a video via Colorado Ballet’s official YouTube account. "To a young dancer just starting their career, my advice would be to soak everything in; really learn what you can from your coaches and peers and enjoy every moment. While a rehearsal may go by very slow, the years go by very, very fast.”
She is from Parker, Colorado and trained at the Academy of Colorado Ballet from 1988 until graduating in 1997. Following graduation, Chandra joined Colorado Ballet and was promoted to Principal Dancer in 2007.
“I have looked up to Chandra since the day I joined Colorado Ballet seven years ago,” shared Tracy Jones, AGMA Member and Colorado Ballet Soloist Dancer. “She has generously shared her beauty and passion for this artform with Denver audience members and continues to inspire a future generation of dancers through her teaching. Her supportive and kind spirit will be greatly missed by her colleagues and friends at Colorado Ballet.”
Kuykendall told 9news that she looks forward to spending more time with her two children and taking on a larger role at the ballet school that she owns with her husband, and fellow Colorado Ballet dancer, Rob Kuykendall.
There is still time to see Kuykendall, as she will dance principal roles in Colorado Ballet's final two productions of the 2019/2020 season, Tour de Force (March 6 – 8) and Ballet MasterWorks (April 3 – 12).
Please visit COLORADOBALLET.ORG or call 303-837-8888 ext. 2 for ticket information.Watch this video to learn more about her retirement, family, and next chapter.