Meet the Team

Meet our Founder, Leta Rundell

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  • Founder

    Leta began her dance career at age six under the tutelage of Charlie Ann Manning at Michele’s Dance Academy in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Due to her father’s military career, Leta moved to Montgomery, Alabama continuing her dance education at Alabama Dance Theatre. She moved to Tonya Speed’s Dance Connection in 2022. Leta became a member of Chloe Arnold’s international youth tap company, SoleTalk, in early 2021. Once more, the military moved Leta and her family to Colorado Springs.

    Leta founded Autistic Wings Dance Company as a place where exceptional dancers on the Autism Spectrum can fellowship together in their love of dance while not being treated as “the autistic kid.” She hopes that the studio will one day grow to include classes for all ages and a professional dance company (or companies).

    Leta also co-hosts “Leta’s Tap Styles (and My Autistic Life) Podcast” with her mom, Amanda where they talk about tap dancing, autism, and interview people from around the world about autism. List wherever you listen to your favorite podcast.

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  • Anna is a professional performer, choreographer, and educator with a lifelong passion for dance that began at the age of two. She has trained in various styles including tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, pointe, African, and musical theatre.

    Originally from Iowa, Anna moved to New York for college and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre with a Minor in Arts Entrepreneurship from Long Island University. While in New York, she helped develop and lead numerous theatre and dance programs for individuals with complex needs.

    Anna recently moved to Colorado, and is excited to groove and grow with the Autistic Wings family!

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  • Our fearless dance leader, Gayle Knowles has been dancing since she was a little child.

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  • My name is Faith Lloyd. I am 16 years old and go to Cheyenne Mountain High School. I have been dancing since I was really young and have been a competitive dancer at Synergy Dance Academy for the past 8 years. My passion is dance and all things art and I am very excited for this season and this opportunity to work with each and every one of you! 

OUR FOUNDING BOARD of DIRECTORS

Amanda Trisdale President

Gayle Knowles Vice President

LeeAnn Kay Secretary/Treasurer

Kristin Kew, Kristi Merriam, Joey Kovach, Jill Phenegar, Ambrie Sward, Maria Tucker, Claire Zavislan, Drew Fountain, Tripp Fountain, Calob Rundell, and Suzanne Ellis