Becky, Co-Owner and Lead Artistic Director

Dancing since she was 3 years old (dancing at Metro since 1st grade), Becky has now been teaching at Metro Dance Center for 14 years.  She teaches all types of classes at the studio - recreational classes, competition classes, and even dancing moms!  Her favorite style of dance is lyrical or jazz.  Becky is married and has two daughters who both love to dance, too.  

Education: Becky graduated from the U of M with a double major in Math and Dance

Performance Experience: Garner-Guiterrez-Garner Dance and University Dance Theater

Training: The Edge (LA), Steps (NY), and Broadway Dance Center (NY)

Choreography Kudos:  Numerous choreography and high point awards at the state and national level for competition line dances at Metro; choreographed dances performed at Timberwolves games, the Ordway Gala Fundraiser, and the Mall of America, top teacher award (2007). 

Alicia

Dancing since age 4, Alicia has been teaching at Metro Dance Center as an assistant for the past 5 years, and she choreographed several solos for competition students this past season.  She has also taught hip hop classes at LA Fitness.  Alicia's favorite style of dance is ballet and lyrical.

This fall, Alicia will be teaching recreational and hip hop classes.  Alicia enjoys teaching young students how to dance, and has a knack for getting students to do their best.

Education:  BS in Kinesiology (U of M)

Training: The Edge (LA), Broadway Dance Center (NY)

Performance Experience:  Choreographed and danced with Crash Dance Productions (Mpls)

Christine

Christine started taking dance classes at age 7 at Metro Dance Center.  She has been teaching both regular and competition lines at Metro Dance Center since 2003.  Christine brings a lot of enthusiasm and energy to her classes.

Education:  BA in Education (Bethel University).

Training: The Edge (LA), Broadway Dance Center (NY), and STEPS (NY)

Performance Experience: Performed with Michael Schwandt in Texas, and at the Liberty Bowl.

Duncan

Dancing since age 3, Duncan has been teaching recreational and competition classes at Metro Dance Center for the past 3 years, in particular a boys-only class focusing on tap and jazz.  In addition to teaching, he is also a student at the University of MN, with a major in dance and minor in animal sciences. 

Duncan enjoys being with friends, having fun, and laughing a lot.  He really enjoys teaching the students at Metro Dance Center and sharing his love of dance with the students. Duncan's favorite dance style is contemporary/modern.

Education:  BFA in Dance (U of M, in progress)

Training: The Edge (LA), STEPS (NY), Broadway Dance Center (NY), Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (NY), Dancin' in the Streets (AZ), Hubbard Street (IL)

Performance Experience:  Crash Dance Productions

Choreography Kudos:  Top Choreography Award (2009) for Metro Dance Center, choreography award for Dance Warehouse. 

Ellie

Ellie recently graduated from Mounds View High School, and will be attending Bethel University in the fall.  In addition to her studies at the university, Ellie is excited to begin her teaching career at Metro Dance Center.  She has assisted and co-taught classes for several years, as well as competed with the Dreams and Sweet Dreams competition lines at Metro.  Ellie has won numerous awards as a dancer over the years, and is looking forward to sharing her passion for dance with the students.

Education:  Freshman at Bethel University (Fall 2009)

Training:  The Edge (LA)

Hope

Dancing since the age of 2, Hope has been teaching at Metro Dance Center for 6 years (assisting for 5, and teaching her own classes this past year).  In addition to teaching at Metro, Hope is currently enrolled at UW-River Falls, majoring in business administration.  She is also a member of the UW-River Falls dance team.

Hope really enjoys teaching kids, and spends her spare time dancing, reading, hanging out with family and friends and being around kids.  Her favorite style of dance is ballet.  

Education:  Bachelor's in Business Administration (in progress)

Performance Experience:  UW-River Falls Dance Team  

Julie

Julie Holscher has been teaching at Metro for 8 years.  She has been training in all styles of dance for 20 years including jazz, tap, ballet, pointe, lyrical, modern and hip-hop.  She currently teaches competition lines and ensembles at Metro, and is excited to continue sharing her passion for dance with her students.

Education:  BA in Spanish and Speech Communication (MNSU-Mankato)

Training:  The Edge (LA), Broadway Dance Center (NY), STEPS (NY), Zenon (Mpls)

Performance Experience:  University Repertory Dance Theater (MNSU-Mankato), Tappin in the Twin Cities, Timberwolves halftime show, Ordway Gala Fundraiser, Mall of America's 10th Birthday Celebration, Disneyland Theme Parks, Minneapolis Fringe Festival

Choreography Kudos:  numerous choreography and high point awards for competiton lines at Metro, top teacher award (2005 and 2008), highest adjudication/diamond choreography awards in 2006 & 2008, taught and choreographed the spring show for the Centro Infantil Union Americana in Guadalajara, Mexico

Laura

Laura has been teaching at Metro Dance Center since 1991.  She can teach all areas of dance and has a wonderful rapport with her students.  In 1992, she was the Miss Compete America Dance Champion. 

 

Education:  BFA in Dance (U of M)

Performance Experience:  University Dance Theater Company

Melissa

Melissa has been teaching recreational classes at Metro Dance Center for 11 years.  This past season, she also choreographed the Dancing Dads routine, Under the Big Top.  Melissa thoroughly enjoys teaching her students how to dance, and has a loving and caring attitude towards all of her students.

Training:   STEPS (NY), Broadway Dance Center (NY)

Choreography Kudos:  Top Teacher Award 

Nicki

Dancing since she was 8 years old, Nicki has now been teaching at Metro Dance Center for 9 years.  She currently teaches both recreational and competition line dances.  Nicki loves teaching dancers of all ages and abilities, and looks forward to sharing her gift of dance with all of her students.      

Education:  Bachelors in Media Communication (Bethel University)

Performance Experience: "Jambalaya" at Caesar's Palace in Nassau, ISIS Espirit Awards, World Championship of performing arts, and Tappin in the Twin Cities

Training: The Edge (LA), Broadway Dance Center (NY), STEPS (NY), LA Dance Force (scholarship)

Choreography Kudos: Young Choreographer award (2006), co-choreographed Liberty Bowl half-time show (2006) and Gay Olympics closing ceremonies (2007), top teacher award (2007)

Tina A

Dancing since she was 9 years old, Tina has been teaching ballet classes and ballet technique at Metro Dance Center for 23 years.  She currently teaches those classes for students in the competition lines.  In addition to teaching at Metro, she also teaches at the University of Minnesota and at Out on a Limb.

Tina enjoys gardening in her spare time, and is featured in a tour of water gardens in the Twin Cities this summer.  Her son Tyler is majoring in music performance at UW-Eau Claire.  In addition to gardening, Tina enjoys spending time with her partner, Dan.

Training:  BA in Dance

Performance Experience:  Professional ballerina with American Contemporary Ballet Theaters, Minnesota Dance Theater, and the Pennsylvania and Savannah Dance Theaters.  Tina has performed leading roles with Ballet Minnesota such as the Sugar Plum in the Nutcracker, Gisell, and various contemporary works.  She has also performed with Ballet Arts with leading roles in Don Quixote, Stars and Stripes, and Sleeping Beauty.

Tina C

Dancing since the age of 4 at Metro Dance Center, Tina has been teaching here for 11 years.  Tina currently teaches danceline, competition, and recreational classes.  In addition to teaching at Metro, she also teaches group fitness at the Shoreview Community Center, and is an elementary school counselor at the Birch Grove School of the Arts in Osseo.

Tina enjoys working out, reading, shopping and scrapbooking in her spare time.  Her favorite style of dance is lyrical. 

Education:  Bachelors in Psychology (Hamline University) and Masters in Educational Psychology (U of M)

Training: The Edge (LA), Hamline University Danceline (2001-2005)

Choreography Kudos:  Numerous choreography and high point awards, captain and choreographer for the Hamline University Danceline (2003-2005) 

Tyheesha

Ty has been teaching tap classes at Metro Dance Center since 1998, and brings with her a unique style of tap that has gained her international recognition for tap excellence.  In addition to teaching at Metro, Ty has also taught underprivileged children at the Hallie Q. Brown Center, Boys and Girls Club of Minneapolis, Body to the Max, and several top dance studios in the Twin cities area. 

Training:  Ty has trained with Savion Glover, Gregory Hines, Dianne Walker, Van Porter, Brenda Buffalino, and Lane Alexander

Performance Experience: Winner of the Tristar Pictures Regional Tap Challenge, Tappin' in the Twin Cities Tap Festival, "Aunt Jemima" in the movie Bamboozled, and performance with Sammy Davis Jr. and Bill Cosby. 

Wendy

Dancing since she was 3 years old, Wendy has been teaching at Metro Dance Center for 3 years.  Wendy teaches both regular classes and junior competition classes.  As a student, Wendy took classes at Metro Dance Center, Stage Door of Performing Arts, The Dance Shoppe, and Larkin School of Dance.

Wendy has 2 young boys at home, and enjoys spending her spare time scrapbooking, reading, and golfing.  She loves dancing and brings lots of joy, energy, and enthusiasm to her classes.

Performance Experience:  Vikings Cheerleader and captain, 1995-1997, St. Thomas Dance Team, 1993-1995