Meet Our Team

Butch Connelly Artisan Ceramist aspen co

Butch Connelly
Artisan Ceramist

Butch Connelly has been making restorative crown and bridge work for over 30 years, and has focused heavily on cosmetic dentistry for the past 15 years. He believes that oral design mimics architecture, and he takes an artistic approach to crafting smiles that are based on naturally occuring beautiful esthetics. He has also studied under some of the greats in the dental ceramist community, including Klaus Muterthies and Naoki Aiba, among others.

Belem
Hygienist

Belem received her degree in dental hygiene from Colorado Northwestern Community College in Rangely in 2017, where she graduated at the top of her class and was given the Western Society of Periodontology Award for clinical excellence. In addition to her hygienist training, Belem graduated from dental school in Peru in 2008, has attained specialized advanced training with dental lasers, and is extremely dedicated to providing the highest level of service with the latest technologies available.

Belem was born and raised in Peru. She is fluent in Spanish, English, and French. In 2009, she did an exchange program in Vail, Colo., and quickly decided to call the mountains her home. When not at the office, Belem spends time with her son, Joaquin, along with their Goldendoodle, Buddy. Outside of dentistry, her passions include hiking, running, crossfit, yoga, and training for the occasional endurance event.

Belem Villalovos Hygienist aspen co
Matt Sandin Hygienist

Matt
Hygienist

Matt was born and raised in the Bay Area of California. He has lived in Colorado since 2006 where his life has been a mutual pursuit of outdoor adventure and bettering humanity. He believes that practicing dental hygiene in Aspen is the perfect way to pursue his passions. Matt loves dental hygiene because it creates a platform to focus on the individual’s needs and desires. Earning his degree in Dental Hygiene from Colorado Northwestern Community College, Matt served as the class president, graduated top of his class, and received several prestigious awards including Rising Star and the Crest/Colgate Award for patient care. When he is not bettering the oral health of the Roaring Fork Valley through individualized care, Matt can be found immersed in the mountains and the culture of Aspen.

Elena
Lead Dental Assistant

Elena is from the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. There she enjoyed being part of a family restaurant and never got tired of going to the beach! During High School she moved to South Florida and in her 20’s she became certified as a Dental Assistant. Over the next 19 years Elena worked with an exceptional dentist who mentored her and deepened her passion for dentistry. Together they participated in many leading-edge continuing education seminars. 

Elena has lived in Colorado since 2011. She spent 6 years in Summit County, and the last 3 years in the Roaring Fork Valley, appreciating the opportunity to work with Dr. Turchin. She has been blessed with 2 children: Daniel and Liani, and most recently her first grandchild, OliverElena‘s interests and activities include mediation, yoga, and mindfulness; paddle boarding, camping, and hiking – loving the awesome beauty of Colorado. When possible she enjoys visits to Florida to play with her grandson, or Puerto Rico to enjoy the pristine beaches and her extended family.

Elena Velez Lead Dental Assistant aspen co

Gabriela
Dental Assistant

Gabriela moved to the Rocky Mountains from Mexico in 2017. With a background in Nursing, Business, Entrepreneurship, and Women’s Empowerment and Human Rights she strives to serve her community through the nonprofit Aspen Strong where she is a member of the board. Gabriela has called Aspen home for the past year after she moved from the Vail valley. When not on the slopes or in the office, Gabriela can be found hiking, or sewing, designing and creating in her fashion studio.

Allison
Office Manager

Coming from the great white north of Western New York, Allison’s childhood goal was to live in Aspen, Colorado to enjoy the slopes. After graduating from Niagara University, she moved west with a degree in Travel and Tourism. Allison feels Aspen has been very good to her for the last 33 years! She has bought a place in Basalt and enjoyed all the seasons of the year as well as life! Her career in Tourism was amazing and she is thankful for all the incredible people she met and worked with, as well as the travel opportunities it presented. Last year, she decided she wanted something different. Dr. Turchin and his world class staff welcomed her with open arms.  

Allison loves to ski in the winter, 4 wheel in the summer, spend time with her dog Wylie and to experience as much as life can offer!

Bryan Pardo Dental Assistant aspen co

Bryan
Dental Assistant

Bryan is a dentist who graduated from Antonio Nariño University in Bogotá, Colombia. He moved to the Roaring Fork Valley just a few years ago. Bryan enjoys the high standards of aesthetics and techniques in the office, and loves helping to create harmonious and natural smiles, which encourages him to continue working with this great profession.

Bryan has a new baby daughter named Amelia and a wonderful wife, Juliana, who is a teacher at Basalt Elementary School. In his free time Bryan enjoys snowboarding, rafting, motorcycling and music.