Amy Dawson You'll love taking hip-hop from Amy Dawson! Amy began studying dance at the young age of three attending 4th Street Dance Centre in White Bear Lake. There, she took tap, ballet, jazz, and hip-hop lessons for 15 years earning several awards as a competitive student. Upon graduation in June 2005, Amy moved to Illinois to instruct tap, jazz, and hip-hop at a family studio. Additionally, she choreographed award-winning small and large group productions in those styles. Now she's back and teaching hip-hop classes at local studios including Woodbury Dance Center and Lake Area Dance Center. Her hip-hop style is trendy, intricate, and most of all, fun considering she packs her classes full! Outside of dance, Amy works as a server  and bridal consultant. She is sure to keep your children challenged and entertained learning all the latest moves!

Mike Dietz Mike Dietz comes to the studio with several years study at Larkin Dance Studio. There, he also instructed and refined dances of all ages, group sizes, and styles for competitive performance. As a young adult, he performed professionally with a number of lyrical and contemporary companies within the Twin Cities including Breaking Boundaries, Crash Dance Productions and Twin Cities Dance Company (TCDC). This year, Mike begins his lead teaching experience at local studios including Dance By Kris and Lake Area Dance Center. His style is current, edgy, and challenging - competitive dancers are pushed to learn patterns quickly and to progress significantly. Aside from teaching and performing, Mike works within the retail industry. Welcome our newest addition!

Allison O'Connell Lake Area Dance Center is pleased to announce our instructor - Allie O'Connell! A native of the Twin Cities, Allie began dancing at age 6 studying tap, ballet, and jazz. As a teenager and young adult, she acted as an assistant instructor to a variety of teachers including Owner/Instructor Maria as well as our hip-hop teacher Amy.   As a part of our studio, Allie instructs and assists a wide range of dance classes from our young Tots to our teenage Hip-Hop students. Because of her versatility, you often will see her act as a substitute instructor. She also teaches and aids dance classes at Woodbury Dance Center throughout the week. Outside of dance, Allie works at a real estate development firm in the Twin Cities. She enjoys modeling, too! Children are sure to enjoy her clear and fun-loving teaching style!

Risa Malmstedt Congratulations to Risa Malmstedt in making her bold move from assistant teacher at Lake Area Dance Center to lead instructor of many recreational classes throughout the week. Risa studied dance throughout her childhood at Dancing Star Studios (now named White Bear Dance Center) in tap, ballet, and jazz. She has several years experience assistant teaching toddlers through pre-teens in tap, ballet and jazz. And she has three talented, dancing daughters and one dancing man at the studio! Her role as a mother comes in handy, as she gives careful individual attention and nurturing to so many children!

Staci Thill Staci comes to Lake Area Dance Center as a professional belly dancing performer throughout the Twin Cities. Studied with Cassandra School of Dance for ten years, she is thrilled to bring the art of belly dance to our studio. Be sure to consider a session class with Staci, as a very informational, attentive teacher making this style approachable and fun for teenagers and adults. She also enjoys watching her three dancing daughters learn and perform at Lake Area Dance Center!

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