Prairie School of Dance

Quality Instruction in a Wholesome Environment

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Reflections of Dance Teachers

September 4, 2016 by Prairie Admin

We were able to talk with two former PSOD dance teachers to hear about their experience teaching at Prairie School of Dance!  Both of these women were and are extremely influential in building the studio’s technique and passion for moving.

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Miss ANNIE MYHRE CHESTERFIELD ~ IMG_0667the very first PSOD teacher!

1. How many years did you teach at PSOD?
I think it was 7-8 years.

2. How do you remember the physical studio space?
I remember it being a beautiful space with a lot of natural light. When I first started the space was carpet. We would take out big pieces of wood for tap class.

3. What made PSOD different than any other studio/school that you taught at?
The focus was put on individual students and we as teachers were encouraged to find the strengths of each dancer. Also, the fact that the environment was supportive, wholesome, and non-competitive.

IMG_06664. What is one of your most hilarious or beautiful memories?
It was always so fun after the recital hanging out at Sarah’s house; Everyone was so excited from the show.  And, meeting and getting to know Christa. We always had a good time together making each other laugh.    

5. What is something that you learned from Sarah Quie?
Honestly, Sarah taught me a lot. I feel like she has had a huge influence in my life. She took me under her wing when I was 18 and helped to mold me into a good dance teacher. But more importantly, she saw potential in me and brought out my best traits.

6. What have been other highlights of your dance career/training? I know you danced with Danny’s JazzDance, right? 1930423_27006672789_604_n
Dancing with Danny was my absolute dream job! 

7. If you had one piece of advice to our teachers or students?
I would tell them to soak up as much info, expertise, life lessons from Sarah! I would also say that you have made a good choice to take class or teach at PSOD because I feel like it was always true to what dance is.

Miss ALLISON DOUGHTY MARQUESEN
9 years and still counting…

IMG_66621. How many years did you teach at PSOD?
2005-2013…. 9 years, and still returning each year as a guest!    

2. What was your first impression of Sarah Quie & PSOD? When I met Sarah for my interview, we sat in the overlook studio. Sarah was so energetic and warm, and was a direct reflection of the beautiful sunshine that was beaming through the windows on to the studio floor. I immediately felt so warm and welcome by the space and its enigmatic director. I’m so glad she hired me!

3. What made PSOD different than any other studio/school that you taught at?
Studying Dance inherently builds character, discipline, self-worth, and appreciation for our amazing physical vessels. Psod goes above and beyond any other studio I’ve ever encountered to foster and nurture these virtues. At Psod, the staff (lead by Sarah’s initiative) gives a lot of thought and effort to every single individual in a class to make sure they are lifted up and made to feel special.

263958_153695184704186_4937758_n4. What is one of your most hilarious and/or beautiful memories?
One of my favorite parts about being a teacher is watching students grow in to their potential. As they advance as a dancer, they are also becoming more of who they are as a person. It’s very fun to see what students do post graduation, and to see how their dancing helped them to find themselves.

5. What is something that you learned from Sarah Quie?
I learned from Sarah the significance of telling people how much you appreciate them. As one of her staff, I always felt so valued. Her appreciation of my contributions to Psod were always known to me, and it made me love working for her even more. She not only lifts up her students, she lifts up her staff too. It makes for an amazing work environment.  ballet6

6. What was your favorite dance that you choreographed? why?
There are a few that I’ve really loved but one that stands out is “Remember when it rained” performed by ballet 6 (at the time, the highest level.) Everything  from the costumes to the music to the dancer’s incredible commitment to the piece made it very special. I was very proud of those dancers each time they performed.

7. What have been other highlights of your dance career/training?
I’ve been fortunate to teach, study and perform in many places in the US. I feel lucky to have been raised a very versatile dancer, and thus have had the opportunity to dance everything from principal ballet 3371_349955281779060_1422388284_nroles to musical theater revue. I was also blessed with the experience of teaching and choreographing for the Chiang Mai Ballet for 8 months. It was an incredible experience to be in such a different culture, and not be able to speak the language of the students, but to have the common language of dance. I was honored by the US Consulate for a piece of choreography I created on those dancers – an experience I will always treasure!

8. If you had one piece of advice to share with our teachers or students, what would it be?
Allow yourself to learn from each experience you have in your life – both in and out of the studio. Doors open to us for a reason, and while they may not always seem right at the time, our experiences help shape us and teach us about ourselves.   IMG_4730

Filed Under: anniversary, Arts/Entertainment, Beauty, Dance, dance students, dance teacher, Get to know your teachers Tagged With: Ballet Performer, Ballet teacher, Dance Teacher Reflections, Dance Teacher Wisdom, dance teachers, Eden Prairie Dance Studio, jazz dance, Jazz Teacher, Prairie School of Dance, Tap Teacher, Twin Cities dance

Thank You to the TEACHERS that Inspire & Believe in our Students

September 3, 2016 by Prairie Admin

13350372_1332140803480208_5689575510414847849_oOver 50 teachers have served on the Prairie School of Dance Teaching Staff. Many guest master teachers have also come through our doors.  An endless amount of gratitude to the women and men that have served the artistry and growth of this school.  “Teachers, you may not see the fruit of today’s work, but you have seeded a lifetime of knowledge.”

Prairie School of Dance has always sought out the best teachers to share the joy of dancing.  Our teachers have college degrees in dance and many are actively performing professional dance artists in the Twin Cities.

Teachers of past and present, thank you for your creativity, artistry, expertise, grace, accountability, passion, enthusiasm, joy, and love that you have poured into our dancers over the years.  TEACHERS, you have been and always will be the heart of this school.

For every dancer that believes in themselves is a teacher that believed in them first.

PSOD Dance Teachers

  • Sarah Linner Quie
  • Annie Myhre    teachers-who-love-teaching
  • Kim Fischer      IMG_0756
  • Alice Bjork
  • Christa Hill
    Anderson
  • Brianne Johnson
  • Siri Knutson
  • Deb Hetherington
  • Bernetta Schadewald-Rutledge
  • Karen Rivet
  • Tanya Carr
  • Tara Broich
  • Berit Ahlgren 
  • Allison Doughty Marquesen
  •  Diana Traughber
  • Desiree Dantona
  • Mallory Kling Dykema   CIMG7515
    IMG_0673
  • Karis Sloss              
  • Andrea Brovold   
  • Megan Wolney Thom
  • Sarah Steichen Stiles
  • Michelle Connell
  • Brenda Jerich 
  • Sonja Hinderlie
  • Wendy Smith
  • Emilee Howe
  • Shannon CorbettIMG_0665IMG_0674
  • Marit Sletten Green
  • Tracy Doheny-Erickson  
  • Jenna Ely Dove
  • Sarah Schatz
  • Katie Balfanz Anway     
  • Morgan Kirvida
  • Isla Katz
  • Mackenzie Martin
  • Jennifer Mack
  • Molly Grisdale
  • Sara KarimiIMG_0172
  • Renee StarrIMG_7022
  • Jennifer Bader
  • Hollie Edlund
  • Rachel Johnson
  • Michelle Ludwig
  • Britta Anderson Maddox 
  • Jennifer Pray
  • Caitlin Gadel Andersen      
  • Matthew Keefe
  • Brittany Fridenstine-Keefe
  • Megan Wind
  • Emileah Zumberge      IMG_7109 IMG_6899
  • Charity Hall
  • Julia Moser-Hardy
  • Carrie McCollum Smith
  • Sydnie Bertrand
  • Abigail Magalee

Filed Under: Arts/Entertainment, Dance, dance students, dance teacher, Faith, Get to know your teachers, leader, Performing Arts, Uncategorized Tagged With: Benefits of Dance, dance Eden Prairie, Dance School Eden Prairie, dance teachers, Eden Prairie Dance school, faith based dance school, Fun Activities with Friends, Prairie School of Dance blog, Twin Cities dance school

Where are they now?

August 27, 2016 by Prairie Admin

Our PSOD Alumni are pretty amazing young women!  Our school would be nothing without our students.  These ladies committed themselves to excellence and grace every day they walked into the studio.  They gave dance their time, passion, and heart, and they inspired the younger generation.
We were able to get in touch with a few of them to see what they are up to now!

Alumni Screen Shot 2016-08-25 at 8.17.04 AM

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If you are an alumni, but not yet connected to us on facebook, contact the school so we can get you included in the PSOD Alumni group!

We are so proud of how these women are using their God-given gifts to serve and shine in the world!

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All of our students are special to us, yet there’s an incredible gift in sending off those students that dance at PSOD through their senior year of High School. Many of these students danced at the studio for over 10 years. We honor the graduating students with a Senior Solo at the Spring Dance Recitals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PSOD ALUMNI

  • 1. Brianne Johnson
  • 2. Gina Reamsnyder Vreize
  • 3. Anita Bonnie
  • 4. Laura Peterson
  • 5. Alexandra Erich – Gustavus Dance Scholarship
  • 6. Jena Iverson
  • 7. Ruchi Behl
  • 8. Lauren Cziok
  • 9. Laura Janzen
  • 10. Katie Wicks
  • 11. Laura Barnes
  • 12. Lauren Donna
  • 13. Emilee Howe – PSOD teacher
  • 14. Rachel Katz
  • 15. Amanda Montouri
  • 16. Heidi Schlief
  • 17. Sarah Sindelar
  • 18. Kari Iverson
  • 19. Amanda Lesnikowski
  • 20. Katie Morrison
  • 21. Megan McLain
  • 22. Elizabeth Magnuson 
  • 23. Joanna Vermedahl
  • 24. Megan Condon
  • 25. Ashley Gorski
  • 26. Ashley Shipp – St. Ben’s Dance Team
  • 27. Carrie Bratton
  • 28. Allie Schatz
  • 29. Rachel Doyle
  • 30. Natalie Dimond
  • 31. Christina Montouri – Swing Dance Teacher
  • 32. Kaara Hulstrand
  • 33. Danielle Zink
  • 34. Karolina Stark – Gustavus Dance Company181392_457878734239757_105410481_n
  • 35. Sarah Magnuson – UW Madison Club Dance Team
    600562_457879774239653_299083054_n
    Senior posters @ Recital
  • 36. Amanda TenHoor
  • 37. Olivia Dengel
  • 38. Maddie Hoy – UW La Crosse Dance Team
  • 39. Laurie Linscott
  • 40. Sasha Warbritton
  • 41. Zeina Zeidan
  • 42. Erin Anderson
    13412041_1332836176744004_7734843707579846338_o
    We are so grateful for Alumni help at events!
  • 43. Kara Eckberg
  • 44. Maddie Klein
  • 45. Rachel Loon
  • 46. Megan Maguire
  • 47. Christina Solfelt
  • 48. Sarah Thorud
  • 49. Natalie Dimond
  • 50. Lily Askegaard
  • 51. Jayne Heitner
  • 52. Sonja Flancher
  • 53. Madeline Nelson

Filed Under: Arts/Entertainment, Dance, dance students, dance teacher, dreamer, Faith, God's gifts, Performing Arts, Recital, Sacred, Uncategorized Tagged With: alumni, God, Prairie School of Dance, Sacred Dance, Twin Cities dance, where are they now

PSOD dancers then and now…

August 24, 2016 by Prairie Admin

We were able to talk to 2 dancers that were here from the beginning at Prairie School of Dance!

ANNIKA HANSEN danced at PSOD for 12 years!
from creative flowers to Jerusalem

My first impression at age 3 was probably, “Wow! I love twirling!”IMG_5621 But growing up I always thought Mrs. Quie was so kind and welcoming.

PSOD really does have a caring, supportive environment, and I engaged with my faith through dance for the first time there.IMG_9238

I remember being in Beginning Pointe class late at night, and my friends and I were unable to contain our hyper over-tired energy, and we literally rolled on the floor. I don’t know how our teacher managed us.

 

Sarah Quie taught me to thank God every day for dancing!

 

IMG_0523
Esther For Such a Time as This

My favorite dance was probably from the Esther show, actually.It was so cool to feel a connection to this girl who lived thousands of years ago and how she followed God’s plan in her life, and to see how I could too! It was a powerful feeling to engage with God through dance at a young age.

 

I am currently finishing my BFA degree in Dance from the University of Minnesota and I spent this past year studying dance in Jerusalem.

My advice to current PSOD students: do not be afraid of hard work, but not to forget to find enjoyment and artistry whenever you dance!

 

I still recall the first classes I learned proper ballet 13679879_588608064654012_5538991731777115541_oattitudes and tombe pas de bourres at PSOD: real essentials, but even more memorable is all I learned about dancing joyfully and projecting a presence on stage.

 

 

 

IMG_8112EMILEE HOWE danced at PSOD for 13 years!
from student to assistant to teacher

Truthfully, I don’t remember my first impression of Sarah Quie, I was only 6, but she was always enthusiastic!
PSOD is very nurturing and relationship based. Most of my friends came from dance.
One of my favorite FullSizeRender (23)memories was when I had come from a High School golf tournament and the tournament went long. I arrived to ballet class late. My pink tights weren’t in my dance bag so I put on dance leggings.  The studio was cracking down on dress code. Miss Allison told me to go into the closet and find pink tights and not to come out until I had them on.  There weren’t any pink tights in there (it was all for little kids)…so I stayed in the closet…eventually she came in the closet and found me playing with props and said “what are you doing in here?”  ….and I said, “I didn’t find any pink tights in here that fit.” I had to wear the Mary Poppins prop hat the rest of class.  We still laugh about it today.
Sarah Quie taught me how to be a gracious and poised hostess and person around others.  She always really emphasized etiquette and manners.
My favorite dance I performed was a sacred/lyrical dance called the “Wall” with Miss Christa in response to 9/11.
IMG_7995
It has been cool to see the school grow from a student to an assistant in 5th grade, to teaching for the last 8 years. I’ve enjoyed seeing how the school has matured and changed.
My advice to current PSOD students? Really treasure the friendships that you make at Prairie School of Dance.  It’s special people that come here.  I met Laura Donna here and I was in her wedding this past fall.  If it hadn’t been for dance, we probably would have never met.
Dance has taught me so many lessons, but I think one of the greatest has been to always be aware of your surroundings – whether you are on stage, at a business meeting, or out with friends.  I don’t think a lot of people pick up on taking in the space and people around them if they haven’t practiced it before.
Thank you, Emilee & Annika for sharing your experiences & for continuing to spread the joy of dance. We have so many amazing former PSOD dancers doing great things with dance in their lives.

Filed Under: Arts/Entertainment, Dance, Get to know your teachers, God's gifts, Performing Arts, Sacred, Uncategorized

Reflections on 20 years of directing Prairie School of Dance

August 19, 2016 by Prairie Admin

We sat down with studio director and owner, Sarah Linner QuQUie 20ie, to reflect on the past 20 years of directing Prairie School of Dance.  For those of you newer to our dance community, you may not know very much about the studio’s humble beginnings years ago. For those of you who were a part of the original program, you will be nostalgic and proud to hear of what the school has become.  Like a church, a dance studio is not a building, it is made of its people. One of the most important people at this school is the dreamer and leader, Mrs. Quie.

  1. Was there a moment you knew Prairie School of Dance needed to be formed?  

Our family moved to Eden prairie in 1996 and wherever we would move I always wanted to start a dance school in our church. My husband Joel was the minister at Prairie Lutheran and some of the church families approached me to ask if I would teach their children to dance.  I was thrilled with that offer because it is what I love to do!

It beIMG_0482gan with seven dancers. I taught them once a week on Saturdays in the fellowship hall (which is now our Overlook Studio.) At the time, the room was carpet and without mirrors or barres.

I feel “called ” into this profession — I believe that all of us have been created in the image if God and have been given special unique gifts.When we are able to use them it is a life of deep fulfillment and blessing. God has gifted me with a love of dancing and a passion to teach others to dance.

There is no greater joy than to be a teacher in a classroom and dance with your students! To see the pure delight in their whole being when they “lose” themselves in the dance is simply the best, and to know the natural healing that comes from dancing with all your heart, mind, and spirit!

That is what we teach at Prairie — to dance from the inside out — for each student to lead with their heart and to believe that they are beautiful, smart, and loved.  So I started the dance school because I believe it is what God has purposed me for and it is what I believe I was created to do! I am so thankful for this gift and blessing. I love dance!

2. What were your initial dreams and hopes for PSOD 20 years ago?

To start a dance school where every child feels loved and beautiful and where they express their faith through dance! I wanted a school where girls could dance in a wholesome environment and parents would trust that the music and costumes would be appropriate and modest for their children.  I dreamed for students to dance to their highest potential no matter what shape, size, or talent and that they would be affirmed and encouraged for who they are. I hoped that we would have a performing company of advanced dancers that would perform quality art in the community.

  1. Wha13416792_1332843320076623_5072370406206024144_ot have been the greatest challenges of having this school?

That I want to do all things!
The verse Mark 8:36; “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, but forfeit his soul?”
Sometimes I take on too much and I lose sight of the essence of dance.  It is most important that we continue to offer excellent dance lessons in a wholesome setting. I also am a people pleaser and when you run a school it is impossible to please everyone. I try not to take it personally but that is difficult to do.

 

  1. What have been the great blessings and joy of directing this school?

The people!!!
I love our families!
I love our staff!

The greatest joy is to have a relationship with all these families that want the best for their children and to have the honor of teaching them. To be able to influence our students and staff with a faith foundation and lift up both excellence and grace is one of the greatest blessings there is!

It never feels like I’m going to work.  It feels more like, “what wonderful things will I learn today and what wonderful people will I connect with?”

12301728_1672658832948445_8516648195034656220_nI also think of  PSOD as one big family from our families to our staff. We are always supporting each other and trying to encourage and help one another.

My belief has always been that family comes first and then our job. I want our dance teachers to spend time with their families and I encourage them to take Sundays off. Honoring the Sabbath has been a saving grace for me. I believe I have made it this long as a dance director because I take Sundays off to go to church with my family and try to consciously rest.

5. What are your dreams for PSOD in the next 20 years? 

My dream for PSOD is that it would be the same great school it is – an oasis in Eden Prairie offering wonderful dance classes that enrich families and bring value to our community.  I hope that PSOD would have a dance company that both pre-professional students and professional dancers could be a part of to create dances that bring hope, realness, and vitality to our Christian journey.

My hope is that every family and age could participate in this wholesome and life giving art form of dance; fathers, mothers, children, tots, and grand parents. I believe that dance brings and ignites goodness and health into every one who participates so I would want PSOD to expand to achieve this goal!
I love to dance and I  would be the 80 year old dancing in a class at PSOD!
Cheers to another 20 years!!

 

Filed Under: Adult dance class, Arts/Entertainment, Dance, dance students, dance teacher, director, dreamer, Faith, God's gifts, Health and Wellness, leader, My calling, Psalm 139, Recital, reflections, Sacred, Service, Spirituality, Uncategorized Tagged With: dance blogs, Dancer interview, Prairie School of Dance blog, Prairie School of Dance Staff, Prairie School of dance teachers, Sacred, Sacred Dance, Sacred Dance Eden Prairie, Twin Cities dance school

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Quality Instruction in a Wholesome Environment

Welcome to Prairie School of Dance; a faith-based dance studio located in Eden Prairie, MN, offering Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Sacred, Hip Hop, Pointe, and Musical Theater, for ages two through adult. We offer both a Recreational and Performing Arts division. Our mission is to provide quality dance instruction in a wholesome environment while celebrating the beauty of each dancer and the joy of dance.

February Showcase Dress Rehearsal

Preparing for our Spring Recital comes with a lot of hard work, dedication, but most importantly, love. Here is a sneak peak of what’s to come with some footage from our February Showcase dress rehearsal! We are PSOD and we love to dance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBm3iFNUgQk
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Dance Office

11000 Blossom Rd
Eden Prairie, MN 55347
(952) 829-9436

 

Prairie Lutheran Studio

11000 Blossom Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55347
(952) 829-9436

Grace Studio

9301 Eden Prairie Rd
Eden Prairie, MN 55347
(952) 829-9436
During classes you can
reach a receptionist until 9pm at:
(952) 224-3157

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