Work hard, play hard, is a motto The Ressi Dance Group believes wholeheartedly in. In their effort to combat body shaming, they reach out to teens in the Denver Metropolitan area, seeking to bring them together in the enjoyment of music, movement.

By teaching dancers to create art and express themselves through music and dance, body stigma’s fall away and confidence is built.

Every summer the group competes against other local dance groups for recognition in categories like choreography, stage presence, costumes, and music production.

This past summer, the coaches of The Ressi Dance Group decided to hold a mini competition combined with a dance retreat to motivate their students for the larger scale event

Dating back to the 1860’s, The Lower Lake ranch sprawls across 3500 acres. Usually booked for weddings and corporate events, LLR boasts a rustic appeal and outdoorsy accommodations which provided the perfect location for a week of recreational and meditative relaxation.

The breathtaking scenery enabled dancers to draw creativity and inspiration from the nature around them, allowing a truly phenomenal dance routine to develop.

Students and coaches were divided by age and gender and assigned to picturesque and quaint cabins located on the premises. Lower Lake Ranch staff demonstrated their exemplary culinary skills and provided everyone with well-balanced diets to promote energy and concentration.

Each morning and evening the teens gathered for a series of meditation and stretching exercises at the beautiful rock outcropping that overlooks the creek.

The sprawling manicured lawns of the ranch provided the dancers with ample room to practice, disregard, and try new dance moves in the comfort of fresh air and the Colorado sunbeams.

When not practicing, students enjoyed relaxing activities such as fly fishing, gold panning, horseback riding, and bird watching.

After a truly unforgettable retreat, The Ressi Dance Group placed second in their annual competition. Despite not taking home the gold, the group unanimously agrees that their time at Lower Lake Ranch provided a relaxing space for creativity and teamwork to flow naturally.

The entire group eagerly anticipates future retreats.