Coach for the Youth Performance Team

Lark Mervine is a swing dance instructor, performer, and choreographer. Her training as a dancer began as a young child with jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, tap, and in musical theater. In 2007 she found her true passion in the world of swing dancing, more notably Lindy Hop and Charleston. She has danced with, and choreographed for, many troupes including; BLAM!, Atomic Rhythm, The Jumpin’ JiveCats, The Diamond Dolls, 23 Skidoo, and CMDance, and has won numerous awards in solo Charleston and Lindy Hop competitions. After earning her degree in psychology from Colorado State University in 2011, she moved to Denver to focus on a career in the arts. She teaches dance to students from preschool to retirement home, and finds true happiness sharing her passion with others. Lark has worked closely with Community-Minded Dance as an in school instructor, choreographer, curriculum developer, and performance and youth team director since 2011. In addition to her non-profit work, she also teaches regularly with Denver's own womxn's dance troupe, The Diamond Dolls, specializing in African American Vernacular Jazz and Charleston-era dances. She also teaches private lessons and weekly swing dance classes for adults. Most recently she had the opportunity to bring her love of solo jazz and swing overseas to Zürich, Switzerland, where she taught a solo jazz workshop. When Lark isn't dancing she works as a licensed esthetician and makeup artist for weddings, events, photoshoots and more.