Katherine Kersten, the first artistic director of Vail Dance Festival, initially invited Woetzel to perform as part of the International Evenings of Dance. Support Local Journalism DonateMike Imhof, president of the Vail Valley Foundation, called it a “watershed moment” for Vail Dance Festival when Woetzel became its artistic director. Artistic director Damian Woetzel rehearses with dancer Misty Copeland at the 2015 Vail Dance Festival. Vail Dance Festival artistic director Damian Woetzel says the annual event is a “huge team endeavor,” from the volunteers to the light specialists to the performers themselves. Outside of the Vail Dance Festival, Woetzel continues to immerse himself in the world of dance.