| 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 23 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 eight 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
sixth 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 the south suburbs with their
two sons.
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 eight 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
sixth 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 the south suburbs with their
two sons.
| Jeanne Johnson Co-Owner and Instructor |
Jeanne has been teaching and coaching dance in the south suburbs for the
past 26 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 18 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 26 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 18 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 fourteenth 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, daughters Una and Twyla,
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 fourteenth 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, daughters Una and Twyla,
and two wonderful dogs.
| Monica Fredrickson Instructor |
Monica’s passion for dance began 11 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 sixth year coaching the Lakeville
North Lake-Liner Dance Team. It will also be her sixth 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 sixth year coaching the Lakeville
North Lake-Liner Dance Team. It will also be her sixth 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 Leonard 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 has taught for two years at South Metro Dance Academy.
Aside from dance, Katie has 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 husband 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 has taught for two years at South Metro Dance Academy.
Aside from dance, Katie has 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 husband Brian.
| Lindsey Stone Instructor |
Lindsey Carter has had 24 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 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 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.
| 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, 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 21 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, 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 21 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.
| South Metro Dance Academy 17761 Juniper Path Lakeville, MN 55044 952-898-1344 This site made by M9 Designs. |
| Sarah Lempelius Instructor |
Sarah has been dancing for 19 years. Nine of those years she danced
competitively in tap, jazz, ballet, kick, musical theater, lyrical, and as a
soloist. She also danced at Disney World in 2002.
Sarah was on the Varsity Jazz and Kick Teams at Burnsville High School
for three years, also serving as a captain. She then went on to coach the
JV Bunsville Blazette dance team for three years.
Sarah is proud to have made it to the final round of auditions for the
Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders in 2007.
She has been an instructor for Advantage Dance, and also has
choreographed for various studios and dance teams. This year, she will
be the fall coach for the Lakeville South Cougar Dance Team.
Sarah is excited to be joining the SMDA staff this year!
competitively in tap, jazz, ballet, kick, musical theater, lyrical, and as a
soloist. She also danced at Disney World in 2002.
Sarah was on the Varsity Jazz and Kick Teams at Burnsville High School
for three years, also serving as a captain. She then went on to coach the
JV Bunsville Blazette dance team for three years.
Sarah is proud to have made it to the final round of auditions for the
Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders in 2007.
She has been an instructor for Advantage Dance, and also has
choreographed for various studios and dance teams. This year, she will
be the fall coach for the Lakeville South Cougar Dance Team.
Sarah is excited to be joining the SMDA staff this year!
| Vicki Hernandez Instructor |
Vicki put on her first pair of tap shoes when she was 3 years old, in Northfield,
MN. She continued dancing as a young girl, and fell in love with high kick in
middle school. She was a member of the Northfield Hiliners danceline. She
was on the Just For Kix All-Star Drill Team, performing at the Orange Bowl in
Florida. Although her dancing career ended abruptly due to a knee injury, her
love for dance has always remained. “If there’s music on, it’s time to move”.
Vicki has been a SMDA mom since the studio opened, and now is thrilled to
be part of the teaching staff.
Vicki has a degree in Special Education and Elementary Education from
Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD. She works as a behavior analyst for
Laura Baker Services and resides in Lakeville with her husband and three
children. Vicki enjoys running, biking, Zumba, being outdoors, and spending
time with her family.
MN. She continued dancing as a young girl, and fell in love with high kick in
middle school. She was a member of the Northfield Hiliners danceline. She
was on the Just For Kix All-Star Drill Team, performing at the Orange Bowl in
Florida. Although her dancing career ended abruptly due to a knee injury, her
love for dance has always remained. “If there’s music on, it’s time to move”.
Vicki has been a SMDA mom since the studio opened, and now is thrilled to
be part of the teaching staff.
Vicki has a degree in Special Education and Elementary Education from
Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD. She works as a behavior analyst for
Laura Baker Services and resides in Lakeville with her husband and three
children. Vicki enjoys running, biking, Zumba, being outdoors, and spending
time with her family.
| Riley Thomas Weber Instructor |
Originally from Fargo, ND, Riley Thomas received his primary ballet training
under Marnee Brant at the Brant School of Dance Arts. He spent his summers
studying ballet and musical theatre at Trollwood Performing Arts School, and
has performed in North Dakota, Chicago, Florida, California, and in the 2008
Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland.
He has taught ballet, pointe, modern and musical theatre throughout
Minnesota including Janet Lang, Allegro School of Dance, Dancin off
Broadway, StageCoach Theatre Arts School, and is currently teaching ballet
and pointe at the Mankato Ballet Company.
Riley moved to Minneapolis in 2008 on music scholarship to study Cello and
Dance at the University of Minnesota.
Currently Riley dances professionally with Ballet Minnesota, and has
performed in the ballets "The Classic Nutcracker", "Don Quixote", and Andrew
Rist's "Beethoven's Sixth Symphony". He has performed works by Colleen
Tague, Ronn Tice, and Katherine Krieser. He danced with Cities' Classical
Dance Ensemble in their 2011 debut performance for the Minnesota Fringe
Festival.
under Marnee Brant at the Brant School of Dance Arts. He spent his summers
studying ballet and musical theatre at Trollwood Performing Arts School, and
has performed in North Dakota, Chicago, Florida, California, and in the 2008
Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland.
He has taught ballet, pointe, modern and musical theatre throughout
Minnesota including Janet Lang, Allegro School of Dance, Dancin off
Broadway, StageCoach Theatre Arts School, and is currently teaching ballet
and pointe at the Mankato Ballet Company.
Riley moved to Minneapolis in 2008 on music scholarship to study Cello and
Dance at the University of Minnesota.
Currently Riley dances professionally with Ballet Minnesota, and has
performed in the ballets "The Classic Nutcracker", "Don Quixote", and Andrew
Rist's "Beethoven's Sixth Symphony". He has performed works by Colleen
Tague, Ronn Tice, and Katherine Krieser. He danced with Cities' Classical
Dance Ensemble in their 2011 debut performance for the Minnesota Fringe
Festival.
