The Staff
It takes a talented and dedicated group of folks to put on this festival every year and bring together a curated lineup of teachers, artists and musicians and an adventurous mix of activities and events. We can’t wait to welcome you at the festival!
Erika Henschel
Co-Owner | Director
Forever a lover and student of yoga, Erika and has benefited from the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of yoga for over 20 years. Erika moved to Telluride in 1997 after graduating from the University of Wisconsin and brings marketing and event planning experience to the festival having worked for advertising agencies in both San Francisco and New York City along with working with the Telluride Ski Resort and the Telluride Film Festival in event management. In 2013, after working with a health and wellness startup, Erika was fortunate to partner with Albert Roer in the purchase of the Telluride Yoga Festival.
In addition to her obvious love of all things yoga, Erika enjoys just about any activity in which she is able to get into nature and draw inspiration from the mountains around her. She is an avid skier, hiker, mountain and road biker, an Ironman athlete and yogi. Look for her hiking her kids up a peak or trying to out-ski them down the mountain.
Albert Roer
Co-Owner | Financial Swami
Albert was first introduced to yoga in the Berkshires in 1978 but it wasn’t until 2005 that he started to practice yoga daily and has seen been a devoted student of Yoga and Vedanta, taking daily classes and traveling the world to seek yogic knowledge, taking an immersion at the Sivananda ashram in the Bahamas, Yoga journal conferences, Bhakti and Shakti festivals as we as several other Festivals and workshops.
In 2011 Albert had an opportunity to Partner with the Telluride Yoga Center, then in 2013 once again the universe conspired to allow Albert to partner with Erika Henschel to take over the ownership and management of the Telluride Yoga Festival.
Allison Bills
Social Media Guru
Allison originally hails from Chicago, where she played soccer at Millikin University before earning her MA in journalism from DePaul University. She is currently the Destination Program Manager for the Telluride Tourism Board and the digital manager for the Telluride Yoga Festival, both of which she finds fun and engaging with such interesting and vibrant people in this amazing town.
Allison loves anything to do with the outdoors and adventure, which is what originally brought her to Telluride in 2011. Her now-husband proposed in Telluride before they decided to make the move permanent in 2018 with their two dogs. When she's not working, you can find her hiking (usually with her dogs), skiing, jeeping, paddling and rooting on her beloved White Sox and Blackhawks.
Erica Hoff
Volunteer Goddess
After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in December 2018, Erica solo-traveled to Rishikesh, India where she completed her first yoga teacher training at Sattva Yoga Academy— a connection she shares with many of our Telluride Yoga Festival presenters and attendees!
Ever since that transformational trip, Erica has been living as a modern day “digital nomad”, working and traveling across 34 US States and around the country of Costa Rica. From community organizing for several major US political campaigns, to managing social media and teaching yoga at international yoga retreat centers, Erica brings a wide variety of experience in the world of events, yoga, and wellness.
Erica previously lived in Boulder and is more than excited to be back in the Colorado mountains this summer!
Patti Duax
Lodging & Transportation + Vendor Wizard
Originally from Davenport, Iowa, Patti found Telluride in 1998 while attending Colorado Mountain College in the Aspen Valley. After attending CMC for two years, Patti completed her degree at the University of Northern Iowa. An avid skier, mountain biker, equestrian, and runner, Patti is fueled by spending time in the spectacular Rocky Mountains and sustains this lifestyle with various careers, most of which keep her outside.!
With 13 years of experience coordinating events and festivals in Telluride, Patti began working with the Telluride Yoga Festival in 2014 and continues to work with several other festivals including the Mountainfilm Festival, Telluride Film Festival, The Ride Festival and the Telluride Wine Festival. In addition, Patti is a ski coach for the Telluride Ski & Snowboard Club and a horseback guide for “Roudy” at Telluride Horseback adventures.
Judd Kleinman
Production & Operations Manager
Judd brings a truly big-picture perspective to the TYF team. Over his 25 years in the industry, Judd has worked in festival operations, starting at Telluride Bluegrass in the 90’s he was immediately drawn to and excelled at the big-picture nature of operations. Holding many management and director-level positions in operations, he has a resume filled with iconic events like X Games, Wanderlust Festival, and WE Fest in addition to major brand activations. He brings knowledge and vast and diverse experience to the TYF and we are grateful to have him. When Judd is not bestowing his years of wisdom on an event, you can find him bombing down the mountain on his Tele Skis!
Amber Kleinman
Production & Operations Manager
Amber brings over a decade of experience in Event Production to the team. She consistently executes tasks at the highest level while bringing a grounded perspective to any role she handles. When it comes to boots on the ground, Amber rocks! She has been a part of many notable events over the years, including Winter and Summer X Games, Expo West, Telluride Blues and Brews, many Wanderlust festivals, WinterWonderGrass, and many more. When she’s not working, you can find her on her bike on the trail, or in the garden with her bees.
Eva Henschel
Merchandise Manager
Melanie McGlade
Pass Manager
Melanie began her journey as a yogi in Connecticut over 20 years ago while raising her two young boys, attending local classes in the Iyengar and Anusara traditions, and joining in many fun yoga retreats. Her commitment to the benefits and joy of being a lifelong student of yoga led her to the Nosara Yoga Institute in 2014 to receive her 200-hour yoga teaching certification. As a resident of our beautiful mountain town of Telluride, she pursues a daily yoga practice and has attended the TYF since 2007. Melanie is excited to incorporate her love of fashion and yoga into her role as Merchandising Manager for this extraordinary event, and to share joy with our great community of like-minded yogis at the TYF.