dance Eden Prairie Archives - Prairie School of Dance

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

September 3, 2016 by Prairie Admin

Over 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
Kim Fischer
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
Karis Sloss
Andrea Brovold
Megan Wolney Thom
Sarah Steichen Stiles
Michelle Connell
Brenda Jerich
Sonja Hinderlie
Wendy Smith
Emilee Howe
Shannon Corbett
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 Karimi
Renee Starr
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
Charity Hall
Julia Moser-Hardy
Carrie McCollum Smith
Sydnie Bertrand
Abigail Magalee

Successful Showcase!

March 16, 2015 by Prairie Admin

Our dancers performed beautifully on Saturday, March 7th @ Eden Prairie High School’s Auditorium.

Here are a few highlights!

We are proud of our dancers and are looking forward to Recital 2015!

Preparing to Succeed

February 28, 2015 by Prairie Admin

A prop mishap, a costume malfunction, a loss of music mid-performance, or the two dancers that stand in front of you get sick last minute…These unfortunate situations are out of your control and can put you into a state of panic! However, if you have truly prepared yourself for this situation, you will know that you can more than survive the challenge, but thrive within it!

Are you wondering how you prepare for such an unpredictable situation? Here are a few tips to prepare to succeed on the stage.

1. Know your choreography! Don’t plan to watch the girl in front of you (she may get injured or sick). Know the steps like the back of your hand so you can keep dancing while your brain problem solves the unforseen issue that arrives while you are on the stage. (TIP: experts say that if you can lay down, close your eyes, and not move a muscle but envision yourself doing every dance step THEN you truly know the choreography!)

2. Sleep. As you sleep, your brain is actively working to create new pathways for learning. Sleep helps your body fight off common infection and gives your heart and vascular system a rest from your active day.

3. Hydrate. Your body is made up of 60% water. Water is imperative for your digestion, absorption, circulation, creation of saliva, transportation of nutrients, and maintenance of body temperature. It’s extremely important to keep your body hydrated before and after physical activity and sweating. If you begin feeling thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Be pro-active and drink H2O!

4. Practice Hair & make-up in advance (decrease stressors of the “unknown”) and decrease the arguments you will have with your mom or dad that day as they try to help you. PRACTICE doesn’t make perfect, but it sure makes it more pleasant.

5. Breathe. At the end of the day, you are alive and that is a gift! Remember it is just DANCE. Breathe and relax.

6. Smile. Smiling physically puts your brain in a more positive mind set. When you’re onstage, your audience is most drawn to watching your expressive face! If your face appears confident, it is very likely that the audience will not recognize a mistake. “Don’t fake it ’til you make it, Fake it ’til you become it.”

To help our Performing Arts Dancers succeed,
we have an annual Performing Arts Rehearsal & Party!
Dancers perform their dances for an audience for the first time to test their knowledge and nerves. They go to stations to learn about hair and make-up application, as well as fun things like massage pressure points from Miss Megan, a professional masseuse when not teaching dance! We also had a guest speaker, Jason Reader, discussing injury prevention for dancers.

ABOVE: Our dance assistants model what TO DO & NOT TO DO when preparing for performance!
BELOW: Our dancers are talented in many ways beyond dance! We look forward to sharing some of their musical talents with you during the SHOWCASE on Saturday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to many dancers! We are so thankful you spend your birthday weekend with your PSOD Family! Much love is in this room of dancers!

God’s Fearful & Wonderful Love Ripples On

November 26, 2014 by Prairie Admin

This past weekend we had over 60 students and 7 teachers perform in our Psalm 139: Fearfully & Wonderfully Made by God production at Grace Church. Over a 1,000 people came to sit in the audience. The message of the show, just like God’s love, continues to ripple on. Here are a few images and words capturing the honesty, beauty, and power of the 139th Psalm.

Congratulations dancers! May you always remember YOU HAVE VALUE and continue to see others with value as well.

“You out did yourselves with the Psalm 139 production last night. My five-year old was totally tuned in and wanted to know what was happening every second. Today she has been practicing dancing like “the big girls dance.” So many delightful messages about God’s truth for girls, the show blessed us both so much. Thank you for taking this project on.”
– Audience Member

“Psalm 139 has been a part of my life for the past 4 years. It has impacted me through a vital part of my teenage years. Being involved in this production has strengthened my faith and guided me to see Our Creator’s true meaning.”
– HS Dancer

“Again, many thanks for the wonderful production! It is a treasure. Please tell all of the adult dancers how fabulously they all danced. They contributed SO much to the overall feel of the performance. Our experiences and feelings don’t change as we age and I think it was great to have an age span of girls to women. We never completely outgrow some of these insecurities.” – PSOD parent

“The show was breathtaking.” – Audience member

“We deal with these things too. Not just these young girls.” – Grandma

“I used to judge people – especially the popular girls. Now I know they have the same problems I have.” – Teenage audience member

“I know I am valued.” – Dance Performer

“I’ve moved around a lot and haven’t always felt like I had a family. Here I have a family.” – Young dancer/performer

“My daughter has not necessarily dealt with all of these things yet. She’s young. Yet, I can’t imagine how differently she will handle these issues now that she has this foundation in her worth, value, and community. I am so thankful for this message and this place.” – Parent of PSOD performer

“At dress rehearsal it finally clicked for me. I realized that this show is about US! I deal with a lot of these insecurities and have realized that God loves me just the way I am. It doesn’t matter how I look.” – 12 year old dancer

“I have the honor of reading the Miss(ing) Perfection journal entry. I do try to be perfect at everything I do in my life and know now that I don’t have to work so hard. God loves me no matter what.” – HS dance performer

“I recently spoke to a friend who was in a really dark place and feeling very insignificant. A stranger ended up talking to him and pulling him out of a dangerous place. The show reminded me of him and how God puts people in our lives to support and protect us.” – Adult audience member

“This was the first time that I realized I HAVE a special and unique gift to GIVE TO GOD. It’s not just him giving me gifts.” – Adult audience member

“It was the first time I have ever worshipped by watching people dance.” – Teenage audience member

This show took a lot of energy from so many different people and places. So much gratitude goes out to everyone who supported the success of this show and this experience for these young ladies.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here are a few great rehearsal shots. A lot of FUN was had while preparing this show! 🙂

Meet Miss Megan!

October 30, 2014 by Prairie Admin

Megan-Wolne-Thom-150x150 We are so blessed to have her teaching Sacred and Ballet classes here at Prairie School of Dance. Just read on to learn more about her amazing heart and talent.

Where did you get your degree?

BFA in Ballet from University of Utah, with emphasis in Teaching and Performing

How long have you been teaching?

I started assisting in High School and started teaching in College, which was 8 years ago.

What is your favorite style of dance?

I gravitate towards Contemporary Ballet because it shows that you can push the boundaries while still having correct placement and consistent technique. A good example of this is when more progressive choreographers like Jiri Kylian and William Forsythe collaborate with principal dancers from companies such as the Bolshoi or Kirov Ballet.

Where is the coolest place you have ever performed?

The coolest place I have performed would have to be at The Conference Center in Salt Lake City at the televised Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert. The Conference Center holds up to 21,000 people and it was pretty close to being sold out. As I was standing on stage dancing to the last song ‘Joy to the World’, the choir of 360 members hit their final chord and the stage started to shake beneath my feet from the sheer power of their voices. Coolest feeling ever!

What is one thing you were taught and will always remember?

One thing I have been taught is that dance is a completely personal experience. This is why no dancer looks the same as the next. This is a good thing, and this is why everyone can dance.

How has danced allowed you to express your faith?

I have a tattoo on my ankle that says Veritas, which is the Latin word for Truth. I put it on my foot because through Dance I have found the Truth with my feet. Dance has taught me a lot about my strengths and weaknesses, and has taught me that both can be used for God’s purpose. In my hardest moments I have had no choice but to ask God to dance through me because I have not had the strength and that is when I feel the most free. When I offer him my strengths, he uses that to show others his glory as well. This is what my faith journey is about, walking in Truth and seeking it out continually.

What inspires you?

I am inspired by moments that show us how much we need God. I am inspired by moments when people in the spotlight give all the glory to their Heavenly Father. I am inspired by acts of courage.

What brings you joy when you’re not at Prairie School of Dance?

My Husband makes me laugh every day, which is one of the reasons I married him. As hard as my job can be, I also get joy from being a massage therapist and seeing people come into a massage feeling drained and broken and walking out feeling peace and health. Other things that give me joy are anything pumpkin flavored and baby laughs. 🙂

Have you created a pre-performance regiment/routine or a tip you’d like to share?

I have told this to some of my students before, but it is something that has really helped me especially when I’m not feeling especially confident before taking the stage. Take a moment to close your eyes and shut all outside noise out, turn on the music you are performing to and imagine yourself dancing through the entire piece, with no mistakes and jumping higher and turning faster and balancing longer than you ever have. In other words – imagine doing it PERFECTLY. When we stop seeing ourselves making mistakes, we don’t make them. The mind is a powerful thing.

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

PSOD Dance Teachers

Successful Showcase!

Preparing to Succeed

God’s Fearful & Wonderful Love Ripples On

This show took a lot of energy from so many different people and places. So much gratitude goes out to everyone who supported the success of this show and this experience for these young ladies.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Meet Miss Megan!

Quality Instruction in a Wholesome Environment

February Showcase Dress Rehearsal

Dance Office

Prairie Lutheran Studio

Grace Studio