Miss Kara has been teaching dance for over twenty years, but in reality has spent a portion of nearly everyday of her life submerged in the energy and excitement of the dance studio. Growing up the daughter of an owner at Stage Door of Performing Arts in Coon Rapids during the eighties and nineties she lived and learned the business from the ground up. By the age of twelve she was traveling to California for multiple weeks each summer to study and take class from industry leaders at professional schools throughout the Los Angeles area. Upon graduation from high school, she moved west to study dance at Cal State University-Long Beach and continued her studies.
One of Kara’s many loves is teaching Creative Movement and Preschool classes at Northern Force in addition to her role as director of the school’s competitive program.
In addition to her many responsibilities at NFDC, Kara continues to teach master classes and set choreography for studios and dance teams throughout the United States.
Along with sharing her passion for dance with her students, Kara seeks to develop and stress the importance of TEAM. Her goal is to make NFDC a forever home for each student that grows up dancing at NFDC. Her commitment to train great dancers is only overshadowed by her desire to develop even greater people.
Kara currently resides in Blaine with her husband Kyle and four children, Kale, Kenley, Keaton, and Kaisen.
Dannica started as a teaching assistant at Stage Door of Performing Arts while in high school and began a nearly thirty year teaching career immediately upon graduating from high school. She moved to Northern Force in 2007 when the studio opened, coordinating and teaching the youngest competitive programs at the school for ten years. In addition she has served as costume coordinator for NFDC’s competition teams since the studio opened. As the studio continued to grow it was no longer possible to wear both hats and Dannica transitioned full time to director of costuming in the fall of 2017 where she continues to coordinate a massive undertaking each new season.
Dannica resides in Lino Lakes with husband Jim and high schoolers Madi and Jaidynn.
Meredith has been dancing since she was 3 years old. She first began at Dance Tech Studios in Forest Lake, MN and then moved to NFDC in middle school and has been a part of the NFDC family since 2010. She graduated from The University of Minnesota – Twin Cities with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor is Racial Justice in Urban Schooling. She went on to take a year of grad school at the U of M to achieve her masters degree in Elementary Education as well as to obtain her K-6 teaching license. During her first year at the U of M, she danced on the Premier Dance Team. The following two years she danced on the University of Minnesota Dance Team. Dance has always been such a big part of her life and she loves being able to put her passion for teaching as well as her passion for dance together at NFDC. Her favorite part of teaching is being able to grow and learn alongside the students and see the progress that they make from the beginning of one season to the end. She also loves to see how the students grow as not only dancers but also into independent, genuine, and caring individuals.
Riley began dancing at the age of 3. The first 7 years of her dance career were spent at Stage Door and the last 7 years were here at NFDC. While in high school Riley was a member of the Andover Fall Dance Team for 3 years. After graduating high school, she enrolled at the University of Minnesota where she is currently in her final year of college. This coming spring she will be graduating with a major in sociology and a minor in psychology. At the U of M, Riley is also a 4th year member and 2nd year captain of Premier Dance Team. “Upon graduation next spring, I plan on attending an accelerated nursing program. My favorite thing about NFDC and teaching would be watching the kids grow their love for dance, as they learn to support each other as part of a team!”
Marissa has been dancing for 17 years, training at Northern Force Dance Company from when it opened in 2007 to when she graduated in 2019. During high school, she was on the Mounds View Fall Performance team for two years. Marissa has been a member of a contemporary dance company based in Minneapolis, Crash Dance Productions, for the past two years where she has received the opportunity to continue her training and explore her voice as a dancer and choreographer. In addition, she has also had the opportunity to train in ballet at the University of Minnesota. Marissa began assisting at NFDC in eighth grade and transitioned into teaching following her high school graduation. Marissa is in her junior year at the University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences, majoring in biology and minoring in developmental psychology. “My current plans include attending medical school in the future with the hopes of becoming a Pediatric Rheumatologist, but I always foresee NFDC in my future. My favorite part about teaching is guiding students along their individual dance journeys and watching their joy when they reach a goal they’ve worked to achieve.”
Crystal grew up dancing at NFDC and then moved to Los Angeles where she attended the University of Southern California. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience while also dancing in and co-directing Xpressions Dance Company. In addition, she trained at dance studios in the LA area and was a member of Jaci Royal’s Royal Flux. Crystal’s favorite part about teaching dance is the endless creativity involved; whether its instructing, choreographing, or seeing the dancers hone their own creativity, it’s all amazing! Crystal also recently graduated with her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Minnesota and currently practices in outpatient clinics in Blaine and Coon Rapids. She hopes to work with dancers as a physical therapist to both overcome and prevent injury.
Natalie started dancing at age 3. The first 5 years she danced at Stage Door and the last 10 years at NFDC. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor’s of Science in biology and a minor in child psychology, and is currently pursuing a career in medicine. She’s been a member of CDP2, Crash Dance Productions pre-professional company since 2017. Her favorite thing about teaching is seeing all the kids hard work pay off onstage!
Kiki is excited to be back teaching at NFDC this year! “I started dancing at just 3 years old and have loved every minute of it!” Kiki began dancing competitively with the Northern Force Dance Company the day the studio first opened and spent the next 10 years calling the studio home. She served as a teaching assistant throughout her high school years as well. Upon graduation from St. Francis High School in 2017, Kiki went on to dance for the University of Minnesota Duluth Dance Team for two years as well as the University of Minnesota’s Premier Dance Team for 1 year. In 2020, Kiki graduated from Concordia University-St.Paul with a degree in Business Marketing. “My favorite thing about teaching is seeing the amount of growth each student shows throughout the year! I am looking forward to a great season!
Soonji is new to the faculty at Northern Force Dance Company this year! She has been dancing since the age of three, initially at Stage Door and enrolling at Northern Force at the age of 9 where she continued to dance and compete throughout high school. In addition, she was a member of the fall dance team at Blaine High School for four years. Soonji is currently a Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader, with this being her fourth year on team! In addition she is a full time student at the University of St. Thomas where she is beginning her senior year this fall with a major in broadcast journalism. “My favorite part about teaching is watching kids improve and seeing their growth along the way! I am so excited to teach here this year! I can’t wait!”
Makenzee Helser started her dance journey at the age of three. She trained and competed at Mauri’s School of dance for eleven years performing in multiple dance genres. Throughout high school she was a four-year varsity member of the Prior Lake Dance Team. In college, she was a national champion on the Minnesota State University, Mankato Dance Team in 2019. This will be her seventh year leading lessons and she assisted her first class when she was thirteen. In addition to instructing acro at Northern Force, she is also working at Bodies in Motion tumbling + technique, where she has coaching experience in dance, acro, cheer, Pre-k, and general gymnastics. She is also currently instructing competitive, recreational, and acro classes at Evolution Dance Company. Beyond her dance experience, Mak is also in college pursuing Exercise Science. Mak is very excited and grateful for the opportunity to work with such talented artists and athletes at NFDC.
Arianna Wallen begins her fourth year as a teaching assistant at NFDC. Ari has been dancing for 15 years, the last five of those years at NFDC. She is a 2021 graduate of Spring Lake Park High School and was on the Spring Lake Park Fall Dance Team for 3 years. Ari is beginning her freshman year at the University of St. Thomas where she is majoring in exercise science and physical therapy. “My favorite thing about teaching is getting the opportunity to help others reach their dreams and succeed!”
Torrie Whisler started dancing at the age of 2 and has been apart of the NFDC family for 12 years. Torrie graduated from Blaine High School in 2023. She was apart the CEMS program and the fall dance team for four years. Torrie attends the University of St. Thomas majoring in marketing on a pre-law track, while also being a member of their dance team. Torrie has been apart of the assisting and stretching sessions programs at NFDC in previous years.
Ella Ronkainen has danced competitively for fourteen years and eight of which were at NFDC. She has spent the last six years as an assistant at NFDC. Ella is a 2022 graduate from Blaine High school and Anoka Ramsey Community College. In high School, she was involved in many activities such as the Blaine Dance Team for 4 years, National Honors Society, German club, Bengal Pride, the track team and many more. Ella is attending the University of St. Thomas where she will be studying psychology and continuing her dance career on their Division 1 Dance Team.
Paige LaPointe started dancing at the age of two at The Dance Factory in Forest Lake, MN, and switched to Northern Force in seventh grade and has danced here ever since. Paige recently graduated from Blaine High School where she was part of the CEMS program and Fall dance team for four years. Paige is attending the University of St. Thomas where she plans on studying Business/Marketing. At the studio, Paige has been a part of the Assisting, Tap Tutor, and Solo Buddy programs. She is so excited to be a part of the NFDC faculty. #NFDC4LIFE
Kenz has been dancing for 15 years, The first 3 she spent at Stage Door and the last 12 dancing for NFDC. She has also been an assistant at the studio for 6 years. She is a 2023 graduate from Centennial High School and was a part of many activities such as Fall Dance Team, National Honors Society, Peer Leading and Mentoring. She will be attending the University of St.Thomas this fall where she will be majoring in elementary education. She can’t wait to continue cheering on her NFDC family!! #NFDC4LIFE
Mira Mussehl is a 2023 graduate from Anoka High School. She began dancing at the age of 3, and has been a part of the NFDC family for 12 years. Mira has been involved as an assistant and tap tutor at NFDC, as well as captain of the Anoka Fall Performance Team. Mira will be attending the University of St. Thomas where she will be studying biology on the pre-health track. She is so excited to continue working with younger dancers as a member of the NFDC faculty!
Jaidynn Fisher is a 2024 honors graduate of Centennial High School. She was a part of National Honors Society and a member of the CDT fall danceteam. Jaidynn is now attending the University of Minnesota as a part of the School of Nursing, and also a member of the Minnesota Premier Dance Team. Jaidynn has been a part of the Northern Force Dance Company family since before she was born, following in her mom’s footsteps. She started her first year of dance when she was not quite two then started competing 2 years later and has been in competitive dance ever since! Jaidynn began assistant teaching in 7th grade and has spent many years being a peer mentor through the solo buddy and tap tutors programs. Working with kids and seeing their growth and progress is such a rewarding thing to experience. She is so excited to be able to continue teaching and doing what she loves at the studio that has been her second home for her whole life!
Hope Easter started dancing at age 8 at the Anne Hebard School of Ballet in New York. Hope has had the privilege to attend summer intensives at Steps on Broadway, the Nutmeg Conservatory of Ballet, Richmond Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Nashville Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and the State Street Ballet. She also was given the opportunity to train under Aaron Orza, former dancer with the San Francisco Ballet, at the Nashville Classical Ballet Academy. She has performed with companies such as the Richmond Ballet, Nashville Ballet, State Street Ballet, and is currently a dancer with the Continental Ballet Company. Hope grew up assisting classes since she was little and has had the opportunity to teach at numerous schools scattered throughout the country while she has traveled for dance. She absolutely loves sharing with her students how challenging but rewarding ballet can be.
Tess began dancing at the age of nine at Shari’s Dance Center, which later became Metropolitan Dance Alliance, under the ownership of Cathy Christenson. She has trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical/contemporary, pointe, and hip hop and competed in these styles for many years (even into college). Her first teaching opportunity came in 2005 and in the years since, she has taught various styles to competitive dancers from ages 6-18 years. Growing up in a studio that put an emphasis on ballet and stressed the importance of technique in every style has afforded Tess a strong attention to detail with an appreciation for the artistry of dancers’ shapes and lines.
She believes that ballet builds a solid foundation for all styles of dance and that proper training will improve dancers’ ability to excel, not only in dancing, but in any sport requiring agility, strength, stamina, and flexibility. Ballet (and dance) instills a sense of discipline, responsibility, and work ethic that students can bring with them into adulthood.
Her favorite part about being an instructor is sharing her passion with students—it is an incredibly gratifying experience and she takes pride in helping students become the best dancers, and people, they can be.
Tess graduated from the U of M with a degree in Psychology and currently works for Life Time Inc. assisting with new club openings across the country. Outside of dance, she enjoys spending time with her dogs, snowboarding, and weightlifting.
Wesley Rocha is from Vitória, Brazil. Wesley began classical ballet training at Expressão & Arte Studio de Dança in Cariacica, Brazil . In 2003 he received his training at the ballet school Espaco da Danca in Villa Velha. In 2008 he moved to Rio de Janeiro to complete his training at the school of dance Petite Dance. In 2009 he joined the ballet company Dancar a Vida (Dancing Life Company) in Rio de Janeiro.
Wesley has performed in the following Brazilian acclaimed original spectaculars: Villa Lobos, Uma Cançáo de Amor, Nos Passos da Dança, De Tudo se Faz Canção and Enquanto A Banda Passar. Each show was performed live in 60 performances over a 6 month period. He has performed guest principal roles in full-length productions of The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Swan Lake and Giselle. He also performed roles as La Bayadère, Pas d`Action, La Corsair pas deux, Coppelia,Pas de Duex, feridool pas de trois, Peasant Pas de Deux, Swan Lake Pas de trois and Harlequinade. Wesley also participated in the biggest Competitive Exhibition dance festivals in Brazil from 2009-2011. After moving to Minneapolis, Wesley joined Continental Ballet Company where he has danced professionally since 2015.
Jessica Laurance started dancing at the age of three at NRG Dance Studio and Kincade Dance Industries. Jessica is a 2019 graduate from Maple Grove Senior High where she danced on the Maple Grove Dance Team for four years. She graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and minor in Chemistry. She was also apart of the UMD Dance Team for four years and won UDA Nationals Jazz Open Division in 2023. She is beyond excited to begin teaching turns and leaps technique at NFDC. Her favorite part about teaching is getting to share her passion for the sport and help others grow in their dance journeys.
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