Cleo Parker Robinson Dance

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance is a Dance Studio in Denver, CO. Founded in 1970, it operates as an international performing arts and educational institution rooted in African American traditions. The organization provides cross-cultural instruction, performances, and enrichment programs designed to cultivate the healthy mind, body, and spirit development for intergenerational students, artists, and audiences. Founder and Artistic Director Cleo Parker Robinson has created and commissioned more than 100 original works and toured across 40+ countries. The studio has served more than 1 million students through its education programs and hosted over 150 national and international teachers in Denver. Key pillars of the organization include Arts in Education, Arts in Wellness, Rentals, Ensemble, and Academy.

The studio’s history includes establishing a 501c3 status in 1974 and making an international debut at FESTAC in Lagos, Nigeria in 1977. In 1988, the company moved into the Historic Shorter AME Church. Notable milestones include the premiere of Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum in 1991 and the launch of the International Summer Dance Institute in 1994. Recognitions include a National Council on the Arts appointment in 1999, a White House Award for Arts-in Education in 2000, and the Kennedy Center Medal of Honor for Masters of African Choreography in 2005. In 2021, the organization received the National Medal of the Arts under President Joe Biden. In 2026, it opened the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Center for the Healing Arts. Current season offerings include Mile High 2026, the 16th Annual Dancing With The Denver Stars, Caribe, Granny Dances To A Holiday Drum, Cleo on Cleo, Cleo II Concert, and Legacy 2027.

The location sits on N Washington St, near Park Avenue West and Park Avenue. It is located about a tenth of a mile from The UPS Store and Ceramics In the City, and about two tenths of a mile from the Denver Community Recreation Center.

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance holds a rating of 4.60 based on customer reviews. This positive standing reflects the experience of those who have engaged with the studio’s performances and educational programs in Denver.

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance stands as a vital cultural institution in Denver, combining a 50-year legacy of African American dance traditions with ongoing community education and artistic excellence.