While studying and performing with Martha Wilcox's modern dance group, at Denver's Lamont School of Music, Covilla met the modern dancer Freidann Parker, who was teaching at Lamont and at the University of Denver.
Covillo began her choreography career in 1940 and '41, setting ballet pieces for Monsignor Joseph J. Bosetti's Denver Grand Opera Company productions of Aida and Carmen [REF].