Faculty

 

Jayme Stedman – Director
Owner and Director Jayme Stedman has been involved in the dance world for over 28 years, and has been teaching and choreographing for the past 13 years.  She began her training at the Dance Shoppe in Plymouth, MN, where she was trained in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, pointe, contemporary and musical theater. She won many awards individually and was part of several National Title winning teams.

After graduation, she moved onto college at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, studying Dance and Business Administration.   There, she was awarded the Incoming Freshman Dance Scholarship and Kathryn Bukholt Dance Scholarship through the University.  Throughout college, she taught and choreographed both at local studios, and within the UWSP Department of Theater and Dance. During college, Jayme also interned at Broadway Dance Center in New York City, studied with Alonzo King’s LINES Dance Company, and River North Chicago Dance Company.

After college, Jayme returned to the Minneapolis area to teach, choreograph, coach dance team, and hold dance intensives in the metro area. Her choreography has been acknowledged and awarded at the regional and national levels.  Jayme currently has dancers working at the professional level, competing and performing on collegiate level dance teams, and teaching children and competitive dancers around the country.  She is excited to share her passion, technique and kinesthetic based teaching style with her students at all levels and in all styles of the art.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, twin daughters and her son.

Grace Janiszewski – Assistant Director
Grace has been immersed in the dance world for as long as she can remember. She grew up at a competitive dance studio in the South-Western suburbs of Minneapolis and graduated from St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists. Her training at studio and school consisted of ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, contemporary, modern, classical and contemporary ballet, African and hip hop.

Grace continued her dance education at The University of Arizona where she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance as well as a minor in Business Administration. The U of A was a triple track program with equal emphasis on ballet, jazz, and modern.

Grace has danced professionally with The Ordway (Disney’s Beauty and The Beast), Collide Theatrical (The Great Gatsby, Romeo and Juliet, Frankenstein, The Picture of Dorian Gray), ILEA Awards, Royal Caribbean as a dancer and aerialist, and performed the role of The Sugar Plum Fairy in Marshall MN for Prairie Dance Alliance.

As a teacher Grace is passionate about teaching ballet and currently heads up the ballet program for the competitive students at Millennium Dance Company. Grace has completed teacher training with Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and carries their curriculum through MDC. She is passionate about helping her students grow in their technique through discipline, artistry, and enthusiasm!

Jenna Dorn

Jenna was born and raised in Minnesota where she trained at one of the top competitive studios in the state. During high school she was a 5-year member and captain of the Maple Grove Dance Team, where she led them to a State Champion win three times. She was awarded All-Conference, Most Helpful Veteran and Miss. Minnesota in the 10th grade division where she was invited to be a part of Team Minnesota.

After graduation, Jenna attended Minnesota State Mankato, earning her BS in Psychology and minoring in Social Welfare. She was also a 5 year member and 4 year captain of the Mankato State Dance Team, where she led her team to two National Champion titles. Jenna traveled the country teaching master classes and choreographing routines with Just for Kix. She also coached Yellow Medicine East Dance Team earning a State title in the Single A Division.

During the day, Jenna has a full-time job working in HR at a local organization. She is also earning her master’s degree in Training and Human Resource Development at University of Wisconsin, Stout.

Jenna is currently on the coaching staff for Maple Grove High School’s Dance Team and works with teams across the state of Minnesota. She is also a kickboxing and strength coach at a local gym. This will be Jenna’s 6th year with Millennium where she has led her dancers to receive judge’s awards, high point and title winning performances. She can’t wait to continue to share her passion for dance with her students.

Kristine Wasik

Kristine started dancing at the age of three at Dance Shoppe/Summit Dance Shoppe in Plymouth, Minnesota. After graduating in 2012, Kristine continued her love and passion for dance in college as a member of the College of St. Benedict dance team. While in college Kristine had the opportunity to coach the St. Cloud Cathedral JV dance team as well as work at North Crest Kids Activity Center in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota working with kids of all ages both in recreational and competition.

Most recently in May 2016, Kristine graduated from the College of St. Benedict with a degree in History and a minor in Exercise Science.

It has always been Kristine’s dream to teach dance to the next generation of kids. Kristine is extremely excited that she has been able to live her dream the past three years at Millennium and cannot wait for season four and many years to come.

Kellie Peterson
Kellie has been invested in the Minnesota dance community for over 25 years, starting in the studio circuit at the age of 5, and going on to compete as a 4-year member of St Cloud State University’s jazz and hip hop teams. After college, she returned to her home studio as an instructor/choreographer, while also continuing her competitive dance career with the Exisdanz and Northern Elite All-Star teams. In her tenure, Exisdanz went on to place first overall in the USASF Hip Hop World Championships.

Kellie continues to perform in a variety of entertainment settings, including the 2018 Justin Timberlake Superbowl halftime show, as a member of the MN Timberwolves 612Crew and in other dance projects and events throughout the Twin Cities. She served as choreographer for Big Lake High School’s musical theater program for two years, where her work was recognized by Hennepin Theater Trust, and is regularly called upon as a hip hop instructor for studio events, dance camps and choreography throughout the state of Minnesota.  

Although her dance background includes most traditional styles like jazz, tap, lyrical and ballet, Kellie has centered her focus and ongoing training within hip hop culture and movement. In addition to guest teaching and choreography, she maintains a studio residency here at MDC, as well as in Burnsville, MN, working with both competitive and recreational dancers on their hip hop foundations and technique. As a hip hop instructor, Kellie’s routines are consistently recognized for choreography, title/high score placement, judge’s choice, and entertainment awards. In 2021, she was nominated for “DX Dance Teacher of the Year” and was recognized as the sole recipient of the “2021 DX Choreographer of the Year” award, which acknowledged the success of her hip hop routines amongst all other styles present at competition. Kellie has established a reputation for delivering best in class training and has guided our MDC dancers in exploring and developing within all facets of hip hop, including history, pioneers, culture and dance. 

Justine Dietz

Justine started dancing at the age of three and quickly realized that dancing was all that she wanted to do! She started off at Pat Peare School of Dance and at the age of 10 decided to follow her dream and start dancing competitively at Larkin Dance Studio. At Larkin she vigorously trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Pilates, Hip-hop and Musical Theatre spending most week nights and weekends at the studio. With her family’s incredible support and the amazing guidance of her dance teachers she was able to start off at Larkin as the underdog competing as an alternate her first year, moving all the way up to securing a front row center spot her senior year.

In addition to her studio training, Justine graduated from the St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists where she completed her high school curriculum and dance credits. She trained with some of the most talented instructors in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Pilates, Hip-hop and Musical Theatre and had the opportunity to practice daily in the Roy Wilkins and Orpheum Theatre. Justine then completed her Bachelors of Science degree, graduated with honors and enjoyed tutoring other students in the legal field.

This is Justine’s 5th season with Millennium and she currently specializes in year-round private lessons for all ages and levels for dancers who are looking to add in additional training. She also contributes to the MDC competition program with her Pilates and Yoga conditioning classes to help improve the mind/body connection as well as strength and technique.

Marlee Lindberg

Marlee began dancing at age 3 and hasn’t stopped since. She grew up dancing at a local studio and attended The Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists where she also studied dance. Marlee has been trained in a variety of styles such as lyrical, modern, contemporary, jazz, ballet, musical theater, tap, african, and clogging.

Upon graduation, Marlee attended Gustavus Adolphus College where she majored in Psychological Science and minored in Dance. While at Gustavus, Marlee studied modern dance as well as dance composition. It was at Gustavus where Marlee discovered her love for choreographing.

After college, Marlee began her career as a dance teacher and choreographer. Her pieces have been awarded multiple choreography awards as well as numerous high point awards.

During the day, you can find Marlee working as an Account Manager Assistant at The Line Up. In her free time, she enjoys getting outside, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.

Marlee is beyond excited to start her very first year at Millennium Dance Company. She can’t wait to share her love for dance with all of the Millennium Dance Company dancers!

Hannah Kahl

Axel Amundson

Axel started dancing at the age of 9 at Vogue Dance Company and eventually furthered his training at Larkin Dance Studio for the last two years of high school. After high school Axel went to a performing arts college in West Hollywood, California for a semester to study dance. Axel has been trained in all styles of dance and has been taught by a variety of well known choreographers in the industry. Axel dreams of becoming a choreographer and sharing his love and passion for dance with the Millennium dance family. He can’t wait to start this new journey with this amazing family.

                                                                                                                                                    Paige Sedey   Paige Sedey is a local dancer from the Minneapolis  metro area. Paige  grew up dancing competitively here in Minnesota earning many local and national  awards, as well  as dancing and competing with her local high school dance team. After graduation,  Paige attended the University of Minnesota – Duluth and  completed her undergraduate degree in Communications with a minor in Psychology.  Immediately following graduation, Paige was brought onboard at MDC as the Office Manager, overseeing all  day to day activities of the studio,  as well as implementing and executing all major projects and events each season.

Paige’s positive energy  brings a smile to all who walk through  the doors every day at Millennium. Paige is excited to continue  working with our families, and watch our dancers grow from season to season.

Grace Schroeder
Grace began her dance journey at the age of four, taking recreational classes at what was once Stage Door of Performing Arts. She quickly fell in love with it, dancing competitively from the age of six on up. Her last seven years of studio dance were spent at Northern Force Dance Company, where she trained intensely in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, musical theatre, hiphop, and improv.

Following her high school graduation, Grace moved to Wisconsin to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. There, she continued to dance competitively with the University’s club dance team, Dance Elite, coaching the team her Sophomore and Junior years. During this time, she grew to be a choreographer, teaching at various studios both in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Now a college graduate, Grace works as an engineer at a medical device manufacturer.

Dance has taught Grace more than a few moves; it has shaped her work-ethic, given her life-long friendships, and built the confidence and character she has today. She can’t wait to share her passion and knowledge with younger dancers, and is thrilled to be welcomed into the MDC family!

Karlyn Nessa
Karlyn Nessa is from Hermantown, MN and started dancing at the age of 2 with Madill Performing Arts Center and by the age of 9 started dancing competitively under the direction of Jenn Madill Hagen. She finished up her last 2 years of competing as a soloist with Delmonico Dance in Woodbury, MN performing the choreography of Kelly Nichols. Concurrently during this time, she also studied Ballet and Pointe with the Minnesota Ballet School, and ballroom with Superior Ballroom and Darren Franco. 

While competing as a soloist she has earned numerous scholarships for summer training programs that include the Joffrey Ballet in NY and LA, Studio School in LA, and Dance United in Boston. And was a Bluebird Foundation Scholarship recipient in 2017 and 2019. She was also chosen as Pro Reveler with Revel Dance Competition 19-20’ season and toured with them to select cities as a teaching assistant and performer in their closing shows. She was a 3^rd year member of the University of St. Thomas Dance team.  And in 2020 & 2021 competed at UDA nationals and won double championships in jazz and hip hop.

Karlyn graduated Magna Cum Laude from UST with a B.S. in Exercise Science and is currently a Master’s Student at Northwestern Health Sciences University studying Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine. In addition, she works in the Fitness Department at the Minneapolis Club, judges for Just for Kix Dance Competitions, and choreographs for Madill Performing Arts Center in Duluth, MN.

Karlyn has modeled for A Wish Come True Dance Costumes, Just for Kix, The Line Up, Fun.com and is currently signed with the Meredith Modeling Team in Minneapolis, MN

Guest Teachers
Gabriela Banuet
My passion and Inspiration stems from my personal experiences a professional company dancer and my extensive Pilates training. I offer an individualized, technical approach to biomechanics that is easily transferable for dancers, instructors and studio owners. I’ve acquired lots of educational dance certification, Professional studio experience. Master Class Trainings and Online, Recognized for Competition and lots more.
https://banuettrainingmethodllc.com/ 

MDC Interns
Joanna Mai
Joanna has been dancing since the age of 2. She started competitive dance at the age of 4,  and has been trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, musical theatre, hip-hop, tap, and pointe. Besides receiving multiple champion awards at various competitions, one of her most memorable achievements was being inducted into the Video Hall of Fame at the Hall of Fame Dance Challenge in 2016. Joanna has also enjoyed the experience of attending different workshops such as Nuvo and Jump for the opportunity to learn from many talented choreographers and dancers. 

Besides dancing, Joanna has been working hard at school to remain on the A-Honor Roll. She will be a sophomore during the 2021-2022 school year.

Joanna’s love for dance has continued to blossom each and every day. During the 2020-2021 season, she received the Millennium Studio Dancership Scholarship and was also selected to be an intern. It has been an absolute joy for Joanna to be dancing and working alongside so many amazing people at Millennium Dance Company, and she can’t wait for what’s to come!