Sarah Steichen Stiles has been teaching at Prairie School of Dance for 17 years. Over the years, she has held many roles including the School Program Director, Sacred Dance Director, and now the Executive Director and Artistic Director for the Performing Arts Christmas Show.

Hannah is starting her eighth year with Prairie School of Dance and we are so appreciative for all she has brought to the school. Hannah graduated from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities with a BFA in Dance and a Business Management degree.

Rachel started dancing at two years old and hasn’t stopped since. She grew up dancing at a studio in Rosemount, MN, and danced there for over ten years. Rachel started assisting her dance teachers at ten years old and she fell in love with teaching.

Michelle graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of St. Thomas with B.A’s in K-12 education and Spanish, as well as a dance minor from Macalester College.

Sydnie grew up dancing in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She discovered her greater passion and pursued instruction from a variety of teachers.

Kelly has always admired dance and grew up dancing in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Kelly graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology.

Julia trained for thirteen years at Neta Barker School of Ballet in her hometown of Wayland, Massachusetts, and continued with Modern and Improvisation at St. Olaf College where she received her Bachelors degree in Dance and Psychology, two fields that she feels see people as whole beings.

Ellen began her dance career at the age of 3 in Redfield, SD. It was there, at Johnny Cavelle Dance Studio, that she realized dance would always be one of her largest and ever growing passions.

Born and raised in Minneapolis, Jake has been studying and performing dance since the age of three and teaching since age 12. He received his BFA in Dance and Kinesiology with expertise in tap, modern, jazz, hip hop, international and ballroom styles.

This is Megan’s seventh year as a staff member at PSOD. Megan grew up in Eden Prairie, MN and started dancing at the age of three.

Bailey Miller is a Minneapolis based performer, teacher, and choreographer. Originally from the small town of Gowrie, Iowa, she grew up dancing at Vicky's Dance Academy. She holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Dance Performance from Oklahoma City University under the direction of Jo Rowan and Tiffany van der Merwe.

Alena grew up dancing at a local studio in Waconia, MN starting at the age of eight. She began assisting dance classes at the age of 14 and continued her teaching career from there. Previously, Alena has danced with a local dance company, 8:20 Dance Company, her final years of high school. She is currently a junior at the University of Minnesota working towards her BFA in Dance.

Rachel Bonkoungou, a native Minnesotan holds a B.A. in Dance from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She has performed with multiple dance companies including Bakersfield City Ballet, Eclectic Edge Ensemble, Rhythmically Speaking, Concerto Dance by Jolene Konkel as well as having produced four of her own evening length works.

Lily Conforti is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer from the Twin Cities. She graduated in May 2021 from the University of Minnesota with degrees in Dance and Physiology.

Olivia is from Tulsa, Oklahoma where she trained at Tulsa Ballet and Theatre Arts under the direction of Pia Russo, Stephanie Murrish, Daniil Gaifullin, and Andres Figueroa. She has also attended summer intensives at Ellison Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet NYC, Oklahoma City Ballet, and DeCruz Ballet. 

Bio coming soon…