Ms. Schaefer grew up in Wichita, KS where she began dancing just before her 3rd birthday. Her early training included time at the Kansas Dance Academy and studying in L.A. on scholarship with the EDGE Performing Arts Center. In high school, Amy moved to study ballet intensively with Ms. Sharon Rogers at Rogers Ballet, Inc. She graduated from college with a B.F.A. in Ballet from Friends University. During her time at Friends, she was honored to have roles created for her by Dominic Walsh, formerly with Houston Ballet and Dominic Walsh Dance Theatre, and Shawn Stevens, formerly with New York City Ballet. In addition to performing many original works, she was also a soloist in the Nutcracker, Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, and performed the principal role in Les Syphides. After graduation, she continued to dance with Wichita Ballet Theatre and began her teaching career. In 2009, she joined Ballet Emmanuel, a full-time Christian ballet company, and made the move to Colorado Springs.  She retired from performing in 2012 and is enjoying teaching at Ballet Society, raising three beautiful children, and exploring the mountains with her husband. Ms. Schaefer is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.