| About Us |
Dreams Can Come True!
 | South Metro Dance Academy was born | |
| out of a dream that both of its creators have had since childhood. |
| In the summer of 2005, that dream started | |
| to become a reality as the first steps were taken in creating SMDA. After much hard work and many long hours we are glad to open our doors to you! |
| With the help of their very supportive | |
| families and friends, Meg and Jeanne have developed a place where fun, creativity, talent and dedication can combine to create a unique environment for dance education. |
Meet the Staff!
| SMDA has a great, newly expanded facility in Lakeville! Our three studios are equipped with raised dance floors to offer a cushioned and safe surface for dancers. Our studio offers a great waiting area for dancers to hang out or study during their down time. Stop on by to see the fun and exciting environment we have created for both students and parents to enjoy! |
| Great New Facility!!! |
| Megan Anderson Co-Owner and Instructor |
Meg has been dancing for 22 years. She has trained and danced competitively
in all different styles including jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, hip-hop and kick team. She
has been teaching dance in the south suburbs for the past seven years and is
excited to be one of the creators and owners of SMDA!
Meg keeps up with her dance education by taking ballet classes locally and
also by taking classes from professional choreographers in various states. Her
favorite of these have been the hip-hop classes she has taken from Dan Karaty
of TV's So You Think You Can Dance? Meg is excited to have recently attended
the Dance Teacher Convention in New York, where she was able to take class
from the best dancers and choreographers in the nation!
Recently, Meg has helped choreograph halftime routines for both the Minnesota
Timberwolves and the Minnesota Swarm.
Meg is a member of the Minnesota Association of Dance Teams, and is in her
fifth year as the Assistant Coach for the award winning Lakeville Starliners, a
local dance team for middle-school girls.
Meg is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas with degrees in both Political
Science and Theology. In her spare time she likes to go fishing, read, and
watch movies. Meg and her husband Jim reside in New Market with their son,
Samuel.
in all different styles including jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, hip-hop and kick team. She
has been teaching dance in the south suburbs for the past seven years and is
excited to be one of the creators and owners of SMDA!
Meg keeps up with her dance education by taking ballet classes locally and
also by taking classes from professional choreographers in various states. Her
favorite of these have been the hip-hop classes she has taken from Dan Karaty
of TV's So You Think You Can Dance? Meg is excited to have recently attended
the Dance Teacher Convention in New York, where she was able to take class
from the best dancers and choreographers in the nation!
Recently, Meg has helped choreograph halftime routines for both the Minnesota
Timberwolves and the Minnesota Swarm.
Meg is a member of the Minnesota Association of Dance Teams, and is in her
fifth year as the Assistant Coach for the award winning Lakeville Starliners, a
local dance team for middle-school girls.
Meg is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas with degrees in both Political
Science and Theology. In her spare time she likes to go fishing, read, and
watch movies. Meg and her husband Jim reside in New Market with their son,
Samuel.
| Jeanne Johnson Co-Owner and Instructor |
Jeanne has been teaching and coaching dance in the south suburbs for the
past 25 years. She has trained in various styles including jazz, tap, musical
show, kick team, ballet and lyrical. Jeanne believes in teaching kids not only the
art of dance but also life lessons in self-worth, respect for others and
teamwork. Jeanne is so excited to be fulfilling one of her life long dreams as
co-owner of SMDA!
Jeanne is a proud member of the Minnesota Viking Cheerleader Alumni. She is
a former performer with the Inver Hills Community Theater, a featured
choreographer with the Farmington theater department, and will be the head
choreographer for the fall musical at Lakeville North High School this year. She
has been a Varsity Dance Team coach at Farmington High School and
Lakeville North High School. Jeanne currently works with the Lakeville North
High School marching band as the director of the Shakey-Shakeys Pom Line.
She traveled with LNHS and her Pom Line to the Presidential Inaugural Parade
in 2005 and the Rose Bowl Parade in 2007. She is a former dance team judge
of the Minnesota State High School League. Jeanne is a current member of the
Minnesota Association of Dance Teams and is the founder and head coach of
the award winning Lakeville Middle School Starliners.
Jeanne has served as a territory representative for the Just for Kix West Coast
dance camp program and has also been involved in the National Outback Bowl
halftime performance. Most recently, Jeanne was the head choreographer of
halftime performances for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Swarm.
Jeanne was featured in the Fall 2005 issue of the Dance Director's Survival
Guide, published by Dance Spirit Magazine, as being one of the top Dance
Directors in Minnesota.
Jeanne has lived in Lakeville for the past 17 years with her husband, two
daughters, and three pets. She loves to read, travel and spend time with her
family. You can always find Jeanne dancing!
past 25 years. She has trained in various styles including jazz, tap, musical
show, kick team, ballet and lyrical. Jeanne believes in teaching kids not only the
art of dance but also life lessons in self-worth, respect for others and
teamwork. Jeanne is so excited to be fulfilling one of her life long dreams as
co-owner of SMDA!
Jeanne is a proud member of the Minnesota Viking Cheerleader Alumni. She is
a former performer with the Inver Hills Community Theater, a featured
choreographer with the Farmington theater department, and will be the head
choreographer for the fall musical at Lakeville North High School this year. She
has been a Varsity Dance Team coach at Farmington High School and
Lakeville North High School. Jeanne currently works with the Lakeville North
High School marching band as the director of the Shakey-Shakeys Pom Line.
She traveled with LNHS and her Pom Line to the Presidential Inaugural Parade
in 2005 and the Rose Bowl Parade in 2007. She is a former dance team judge
of the Minnesota State High School League. Jeanne is a current member of the
Minnesota Association of Dance Teams and is the founder and head coach of
the award winning Lakeville Middle School Starliners.
Jeanne has served as a territory representative for the Just for Kix West Coast
dance camp program and has also been involved in the National Outback Bowl
halftime performance. Most recently, Jeanne was the head choreographer of
halftime performances for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Swarm.
Jeanne was featured in the Fall 2005 issue of the Dance Director's Survival
Guide, published by Dance Spirit Magazine, as being one of the top Dance
Directors in Minnesota.
Jeanne has lived in Lakeville for the past 17 years with her husband, two
daughters, and three pets. She loves to read, travel and spend time with her
family. You can always find Jeanne dancing!
| Melissa Brown Guenther Instructor |
Melissa learned to love dance from the age of three. She started ballet when she
was ten at Mankato Ballet Company with Annmarie Carlson and later with Sue
Gunness. After high school Melissa moved to Bloomington, MN and danced for
Continental Ballet Company with Riet Velthuisen.
This will be Melissa's thirteenth year of teaching. She has taught at Waconia
Performing Arts, Continental Ballet Company, Mankato Ballet Company, and
Dance Express. Melissa has her BA in dance from California State University,
Long Beach.
Melissa enjoys producing her own choreography. She has shown work in the
Minnesota Fringe Festival, the Walker Art Center's Choreographers' Evening,
and at Bryant Lake Bowl's 9x22. In addition to teaching dance, Melissa does
stage managing, lighting design, and mosaic work.
In her free time Melissa hangs out with her husband, daughter Una, and two
wonderful dogs.
was ten at Mankato Ballet Company with Annmarie Carlson and later with Sue
Gunness. After high school Melissa moved to Bloomington, MN and danced for
Continental Ballet Company with Riet Velthuisen.
This will be Melissa's thirteenth year of teaching. She has taught at Waconia
Performing Arts, Continental Ballet Company, Mankato Ballet Company, and
Dance Express. Melissa has her BA in dance from California State University,
Long Beach.
Melissa enjoys producing her own choreography. She has shown work in the
Minnesota Fringe Festival, the Walker Art Center's Choreographers' Evening,
and at Bryant Lake Bowl's 9x22. In addition to teaching dance, Melissa does
stage managing, lighting design, and mosaic work.
In her free time Melissa hangs out with her husband, daughter Una, and two
wonderful dogs.
| Monica Fredrickson Substitute Instructor |
Monica’s passion for dance began 10 years ago, when she started taking
kick and jazz classes. She competed on the Lakeville Junior High Starliners
for three years and was captain her final year. She was also a member of
Lakeville Lake-Liner Dance Team for 3 years, where she served as costume
coordinator and assisted with choreography.
This coming fall, Monica will begin her fourth year coaching the Lakeville
North Lake-Liner Dance Team. It will also be her fifth year as the assistant
coach for the Lakeville Middle School Starliners.
Monica is currently working at a grooming shop, Pet Attitudes, and is also
attending Concordia University. She likes to hang out with friends, shop and
dance.
kick and jazz classes. She competed on the Lakeville Junior High Starliners
for three years and was captain her final year. She was also a member of
Lakeville Lake-Liner Dance Team for 3 years, where she served as costume
coordinator and assisted with choreography.
This coming fall, Monica will begin her fourth year coaching the Lakeville
North Lake-Liner Dance Team. It will also be her fifth year as the assistant
coach for the Lakeville Middle School Starliners.
Monica is currently working at a grooming shop, Pet Attitudes, and is also
attending Concordia University. She likes to hang out with friends, shop and
dance.
| Quality dance education in a positive and fun atmosphere! |
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| Katie Krause Instructor |
Katie Krause grew up in Omaha, Nebraska where she danced, co-taught, and
taught at Cindy Evans Dance Studio. She also danced for and was the captain
of the Marian High School Dance Team. Her senior year of high school, Katie
received the NDA All American Award.
College led Katie to the College of Saint Benedict where she was a four year
member and one year capain of the St. Ben's National Dance Team. This team
placed in the top ten at UDA Nationals all four years, and they were back to
back to back Grand Champions at UPA Nationals. Katie graduated in 2005
and has been teaching communications at Century Middle School ever since.
Katie coached the Lakeville South Dance Team the first four years the school
was open, and she taught one year at South Metro Dance Academy. She is
VERY excited to be back.
Aside from dance, Katie just completed her Master's Degree from Saint Mary's
University. She enjoys being a teacher, reading, running, and spending time
with her family, friends, and boyfriend Brian.
taught at Cindy Evans Dance Studio. She also danced for and was the captain
of the Marian High School Dance Team. Her senior year of high school, Katie
received the NDA All American Award.
College led Katie to the College of Saint Benedict where she was a four year
member and one year capain of the St. Ben's National Dance Team. This team
placed in the top ten at UDA Nationals all four years, and they were back to
back to back Grand Champions at UPA Nationals. Katie graduated in 2005
and has been teaching communications at Century Middle School ever since.
Katie coached the Lakeville South Dance Team the first four years the school
was open, and she taught one year at South Metro Dance Academy. She is
VERY excited to be back.
Aside from dance, Katie just completed her Master's Degree from Saint Mary's
University. She enjoys being a teacher, reading, running, and spending time
with her family, friends, and boyfriend Brian.
| Lindsey Stone Instructor |
Lindsey Carter has had 23 years of dance experience. She trained at Larkin
Dance Studio in Maplewood, MN for 15 years. The styles she studied include
jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, hip-hop, pointe and modern. Lindsey was a part of many
production large groups, small groups, duets, trios and a solo at Larkin,
winning numerous national titles and awards. She attended Eastview High
School in Apple Valley and was a Varsity football and basketball cheerleader in
between studio dancing.
She moved to Tempe , Arizona after graduating from high school in 2001 and
attended Arizona State University for two years majoring in Broadcast
Journalism and was a member of the ASU Sun Devil Dance Team. In 2003 she
transferred back home to the University of Minnesota and danced her way onto
the four-time Universal Dance Association National Champion University of
Minnesota Dance Team. She also danced at the Metrodome at all the home
Gopher Football games, danced on the court at Williams Arena for majority of
the Gopher Basketball games, and enjoyed traveling with the dance team and
cheerleaders to away games, bowl games and playoff games. Lindsey received
her BA degree in Communication Studies from the U of M in 2005.
Lindsey currently works for The Line Up in Eden Prairie as a Senior Account
Coordinator. She was the assistant coach for the Eastview Lightning Varsity
Dance Team for the past four years, and also gives extra time to high school
and college dance teams to work on strengthening their technique and
polishing routines.
Lindsey resides in Apple Valley with her husband Justin and dog Oscar.
Dance Studio in Maplewood, MN for 15 years. The styles she studied include
jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, hip-hop, pointe and modern. Lindsey was a part of many
production large groups, small groups, duets, trios and a solo at Larkin,
winning numerous national titles and awards. She attended Eastview High
School in Apple Valley and was a Varsity football and basketball cheerleader in
between studio dancing.
She moved to Tempe , Arizona after graduating from high school in 2001 and
attended Arizona State University for two years majoring in Broadcast
Journalism and was a member of the ASU Sun Devil Dance Team. In 2003 she
transferred back home to the University of Minnesota and danced her way onto
the four-time Universal Dance Association National Champion University of
Minnesota Dance Team. She also danced at the Metrodome at all the home
Gopher Football games, danced on the court at Williams Arena for majority of
the Gopher Basketball games, and enjoyed traveling with the dance team and
cheerleaders to away games, bowl games and playoff games. Lindsey received
her BA degree in Communication Studies from the U of M in 2005.
Lindsey currently works for The Line Up in Eden Prairie as a Senior Account
Coordinator. She was the assistant coach for the Eastview Lightning Varsity
Dance Team for the past four years, and also gives extra time to high school
and college dance teams to work on strengthening their technique and
polishing routines.
Lindsey resides in Apple Valley with her husband Justin and dog Oscar.
| Brianna Wersal Instructor |
Brianna started dancing at the age of 3, and has a growing passion for it.
Throughout the 14 years that she has danced she has done Ballet, Tap, Jazz,
Lyrical, Modern, Kickline, Musical Show, and the Father Daughter dance. Brianna
has substitute taught at the studio and is very excited to be able to teach her own
classes!
Brianna will be a senior this year at Lakeville South High School, where she is also
a captain for the Girls Varsity Soccer Team. After High School Brianna plans to
attend college to become a Pediatrician. She really wants to make a difference
starting with the health of children. Along with that she plans to keep up with dance
and soccer.
Brianna really enjoys and loves all styles of dance but her favorite would have to be
tap. All the different creations of sounds and beats you can make with moves really
fascinates her. Brianna's ways of teaching are very encouraging and fun while also
learning as much as possible each week! She is very thankful that she can share
her excitement and joy for dance with others.
Brianna loves spending time with her family and friends, and is very appreciative for
all the support they've given her throughout her life. In her spare time she enjoys
reading, watching a movie, bonfires, fishing and pretty much anything outdoors!
Brianna lives in Lakeville with her mom, dad, sister, and dog Estrela. This fall she
will also be on the Super Starz Kick Team and playing for the MTA Soccer club. She
enjoys every minute of dancing and can't wait for it to start!
Throughout the 14 years that she has danced she has done Ballet, Tap, Jazz,
Lyrical, Modern, Kickline, Musical Show, and the Father Daughter dance. Brianna
has substitute taught at the studio and is very excited to be able to teach her own
classes!
Brianna will be a senior this year at Lakeville South High School, where she is also
a captain for the Girls Varsity Soccer Team. After High School Brianna plans to
attend college to become a Pediatrician. She really wants to make a difference
starting with the health of children. Along with that she plans to keep up with dance
and soccer.
Brianna really enjoys and loves all styles of dance but her favorite would have to be
tap. All the different creations of sounds and beats you can make with moves really
fascinates her. Brianna's ways of teaching are very encouraging and fun while also
learning as much as possible each week! She is very thankful that she can share
her excitement and joy for dance with others.
Brianna loves spending time with her family and friends, and is very appreciative for
all the support they've given her throughout her life. In her spare time she enjoys
reading, watching a movie, bonfires, fishing and pretty much anything outdoors!
Brianna lives in Lakeville with her mom, dad, sister, and dog Estrela. This fall she
will also be on the Super Starz Kick Team and playing for the MTA Soccer club. She
enjoys every minute of dancing and can't wait for it to start!
| Linda Pronschinske Instructor |
Linda started her dancing at the age of four at Vera Lynn’s School of the
Dance in Southern California. She studied and performed throughout high
school and college where she worked towards a minor in physical education
while receiving a BA in business. She also studied ballet in San Diego, CA for
two years.
Linda started assistant teaching at the YMCA in Burnsville and has been
teaching, performing and choreographing in the south suburbs for the last
eight years. She has also been involved with the Lakeville City Ballet helping
with fund raising and chairing a position for the Nutcracker Ballet. She is also
in charge of choreography and dancing for her church’s annual Christmas
Pageant. Linda also had the opportunity to do the choreography for Kenwood
Trail Middle School's Musical this past spring, which was an awesome
experience for her.
Linda’s teaching style is very patient and positive. She is truly grateful that she
can share her love of dance with children.
Linda and her husband Randy have been married for 20 years and they have
a son, Randel, and daughter Marissa, who loves dance just as much as her
mom. In her spare time when she is not with family and friends you can find
Linda shopping at MOA or scrapbooking.
Dance in Southern California. She studied and performed throughout high
school and college where she worked towards a minor in physical education
while receiving a BA in business. She also studied ballet in San Diego, CA for
two years.
Linda started assistant teaching at the YMCA in Burnsville and has been
teaching, performing and choreographing in the south suburbs for the last
eight years. She has also been involved with the Lakeville City Ballet helping
with fund raising and chairing a position for the Nutcracker Ballet. She is also
in charge of choreography and dancing for her church’s annual Christmas
Pageant. Linda also had the opportunity to do the choreography for Kenwood
Trail Middle School's Musical this past spring, which was an awesome
experience for her.
Linda’s teaching style is very patient and positive. She is truly grateful that she
can share her love of dance with children.
Linda and her husband Randy have been married for 20 years and they have
a son, Randel, and daughter Marissa, who loves dance just as much as her
mom. In her spare time when she is not with family and friends you can find
Linda shopping at MOA or scrapbooking.
| Lisa Dahl Instructor |
Lisa has over 34 years of dance experience. Most recent, she assisted the State
Champion Faribault Emeralds Dance Team in both the Varsity and Junior Varsity
capacity, working with them throughout the 2008-2009 seasons.
Lisa was the coach for the Junior Varsity Emeralds for seven years. As well as
coaching at the high school level, she owned and operated Gemlines Dance Studio in
Faribault. She was proud and privileged to see the majority of her dancers move
through the ranks and compete at the state championships.
Her experience in her studio exposed her to many levels and age groups. As well as
the individual dynamics of each dancer, she truly enjoyed the challenge of working
them into a team and watching them grow to love dance. Lisa’s own dance experience
helped her to understand and mentor these young ladies. She competed four years
dancing on the varsity line for Faribault High School. In her 13 years as a studio dancer,
she studied Ballet, Tap and Jazz.
Lisa has also reached out into other areas of dance in both teaching and study. She
taught for one year in Owatonna MN, substituted as a dance instructor at South Metro
Dance Academy, and formerly judged dance competitions for the Minnesota State High
School League. She also attended many camps and conferences. She is very excited
to work with and continue to share her love of dance as she joins the team as a staff
instructor for South Metro Dance Academy this fall.
Lisa lives in Faribault with her husband, Peter and their four sons. She enjoys
musicals and plays as well as other arts. In her spare time she enjoys trips to northern
Minnesota and spending time with family and friends.
Champion Faribault Emeralds Dance Team in both the Varsity and Junior Varsity
capacity, working with them throughout the 2008-2009 seasons.
Lisa was the coach for the Junior Varsity Emeralds for seven years. As well as
coaching at the high school level, she owned and operated Gemlines Dance Studio in
Faribault. She was proud and privileged to see the majority of her dancers move
through the ranks and compete at the state championships.
Her experience in her studio exposed her to many levels and age groups. As well as
the individual dynamics of each dancer, she truly enjoyed the challenge of working
them into a team and watching them grow to love dance. Lisa’s own dance experience
helped her to understand and mentor these young ladies. She competed four years
dancing on the varsity line for Faribault High School. In her 13 years as a studio dancer,
she studied Ballet, Tap and Jazz.
Lisa has also reached out into other areas of dance in both teaching and study. She
taught for one year in Owatonna MN, substituted as a dance instructor at South Metro
Dance Academy, and formerly judged dance competitions for the Minnesota State High
School League. She also attended many camps and conferences. She is very excited
to work with and continue to share her love of dance as she joins the team as a staff
instructor for South Metro Dance Academy this fall.
Lisa lives in Faribault with her husband, Peter and their four sons. She enjoys
musicals and plays as well as other arts. In her spare time she enjoys trips to northern
Minnesota and spending time with family and friends.
| South Metro Dance Academy 17761 Juniper Path Lakeville, MN 55044 952-898-1344 This site made by M9 Designs. |
| Ellen Keane Instructor |
A professional performer since 1981, she has appeared on the nationally
syndicated show “Dance Fever” and has toured nationally with “The Muppet
Babies Live” as Baby Kermit. She has performed in shows with “Sir” Jimmy Slyde,
Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, Dianne Walker, Heather Cornell and many others.
She has taught rhythm tap for universities and at dance schools around the
Midwest and is currently on the faculty of the University of Minnesota Theater &
Dance Department. She is sought after as an instructor at music and dance
festivals throughout the region. She has taught school residencies for the Ordway,
the St Paul Chamber Orchestra and the East Side Arts Council in St. Paul.
Choreography credits include two decades of Musicals for high schools,
community and professional theaters. Collaborations include the St Paul
Chamber Orchestra, Misora Taiko and most recently the Chicago Human Rhythm
Project’s production of Tap Dance in Beijing China, featuring 6 youth Tap
Ensembles and internationally known professionals.
In the past 12 years her tap company “Keane Sense of Rhythm” performances
have ranged from the street, to the rooftop and from outdoor venues to
professional theaters, we have performed for over 100,000 people, many of which
were free to the public.
Productions include 3 Minneapolis Human Rhythm Projects and dozens of
National Tap Dance Day Events since 1997. This year’s celebration was at the
Mall of America Rotunda on May 24th, 2009.
For the past 10 years her focus has been mainly rhythm tap and her adult classes
are always good for a laugh, especially adult beginning “Tappy Hour”. One
Broadway gypsy claimed that every class with Ellen is a master class.
Ellen is most proud of the creation of the Youth Tap Ensemble in 2002. Dancers
age 8-18 audition for placement annually. She especially enjoys working with
talented and passionate youth in master classes, workshops and residencies.
syndicated show “Dance Fever” and has toured nationally with “The Muppet
Babies Live” as Baby Kermit. She has performed in shows with “Sir” Jimmy Slyde,
Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, Dianne Walker, Heather Cornell and many others.
She has taught rhythm tap for universities and at dance schools around the
Midwest and is currently on the faculty of the University of Minnesota Theater &
Dance Department. She is sought after as an instructor at music and dance
festivals throughout the region. She has taught school residencies for the Ordway,
the St Paul Chamber Orchestra and the East Side Arts Council in St. Paul.
Choreography credits include two decades of Musicals for high schools,
community and professional theaters. Collaborations include the St Paul
Chamber Orchestra, Misora Taiko and most recently the Chicago Human Rhythm
Project’s production of Tap Dance in Beijing China, featuring 6 youth Tap
Ensembles and internationally known professionals.
In the past 12 years her tap company “Keane Sense of Rhythm” performances
have ranged from the street, to the rooftop and from outdoor venues to
professional theaters, we have performed for over 100,000 people, many of which
were free to the public.
Productions include 3 Minneapolis Human Rhythm Projects and dozens of
National Tap Dance Day Events since 1997. This year’s celebration was at the
Mall of America Rotunda on May 24th, 2009.
For the past 10 years her focus has been mainly rhythm tap and her adult classes
are always good for a laugh, especially adult beginning “Tappy Hour”. One
Broadway gypsy claimed that every class with Ellen is a master class.
Ellen is most proud of the creation of the Youth Tap Ensemble in 2002. Dancers
age 8-18 audition for placement annually. She especially enjoys working with
talented and passionate youth in master classes, workshops and residencies.
