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.

Kelly grew up dancing competitively in Chanhassen, Minnesota and was part of a pre-professional ballet company that fostered her love for dance. Kelly then went on to train in the University of Minnesota Dance Program and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology.

Michelle Ludwig 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. She began her training under the direction of Juli Mickelson and the Dance Endeavors team, studying a variety of styles including jazz, tap, modern/contemporary, and classical ballet.

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.

Taylor grew up dancing competitively and performing in local theatrical productions, activities she continued to participate in during her time at Carleton College, where she also discovered a passion for film and media. In June of 2025, Taylor graduated with a B.A. in Cinema & Media Studies and a minor in Theatre Arts.

Lily Conforti is a performer, choreographer, stage manager, and dance teacher from the Twin Cities. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with degrees in dance and physiology in May 2021.

Alena grew up dancing at a local studio in Waconia, MN. She began assisting dance classes at the age of 14 and discovered her passion for teaching.

Allison Durham is a dancer, choreographer, director, and teacher based in Minneapolis. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Theatre and Performance Studies with a minor in Dance at Millikin University and joined the Twin Cities dance community in May of 2023.

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. 

Megan is excited for her eighth year as a staff member at PSOD! Megan started dancing at the age of three. She trained at Prairie School of Dance, Minnesota Ballet School, and was a member of the Eden Prairie High School Dance Team.

Sydnie grew up dancing in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where she quickly fell in love with the art form. Throughout high school, she trained with a pre-professional company that gave her opportunities to perform, attend intensives, and deepen her technical training.

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.

Jake Nehrbass grew up in Minneapolis and started his dance journey when he was three years old. Over the years, he has had the privilege of studying and performing various styles, including tap, modern, jazz, hip hop, international styles, and ballroom.

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.

Phoebe has been a part of the Prairie School of Dance family for the past 12 years, growing up through its classes and Performing Arts program. After spending 8 years in the Performing Arts program, she developed a love for dance and the community that comes with it.

Olivia Woebke is an artist and educator from Bloomington, Minnesota. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Dance from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.