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 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.

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. Other training includes summer intensives with Joffrey New York, Magnus Midwest Ballet, and Milwaukee Ballet. Michelle began her professional dance career in Minnesota with St. Paul City Ballet, was a founding member of Ballet Co. Laboratory, and had the opportunity to dance professionally in Denver with Colorado Ballet's Studio Company.

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.

Bio coming soon…

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. Lily is the artistic director and choreographer for Corpus Dance Works. 

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. Alena has performed in works by artists Jess Pretty, Carlo Antonio Villanueva, Dr. Ananya Chatterjea, and 8:20 Dance Company. She will be graduating with her BFA in dance from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in December of 2025

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. Since moving to Minnesota, she has danced with The Fox & Beggar Theater, Collide Theatrical Dance Company, 8:20 Dance Company, and Hannah MacKenzie Margulies.

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. She graduated from Macalester College with degrees in psychology, political science, and dance. While at Macalester, she performed in and choreographed multiple productions within the dance and theater departments.

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. In college, Sydnie first studied dance at Minnesota State University Mankato before transferring to South Dakota State University, where she pursued a degree in Apparel Merchandising with minors in Dance and Business. During her time there, she performed and choreographed with the student-led dance company and served as Vice President of the SDSU Dance Club. She graduated magna cum laude in 2014.

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. Jake earned his BFA in Dance and Kinesiology from St. Olaf College, which has allowed him to explore the physical and anatomical aspects of movement.

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.

Bio coming soon…