With more than 40 years of experience in the dance industry, Jen’s passion for dance is undeniable. She has truly lived, slept, and breathed dance for most of her life. When her own performance career came to a close, she carried her love forward through teaching and choreography - sharing her artistry and dedication with generations of dancers.
What Jen treasures most about teaching is being part of her dancers’ journeys, celebrating their milestones, big and small. Her choreography is known for being innovative, exciting, and emotionally powerful, but the real reward for her comes when the work comes alive on stage.
Jen pours her heart into every student, offering love, support, and guidance that extend far beyond the studio. Her motto, “Be better than the last time,” is a cornerstone of her teaching philosophy. Every dancer’s victories feel like her own, and she walks alongside them through challenges with equal dedication. Jen is constantly pushing creative boundaries and encouraging her dancers to do the same. Her vision for dance is limitless and she has no plans of slowing down.
Over the years, Jen has coached and choreographed countless award-winning routines in hip hop, jazz, and lyrical at the local, regional, and national levels. Always a student herself, Jen continues her training with renowned instructors the lateDave Scott, Talia Falvia, Mike Peele, Tricia Miranda, Kassidy Brite, and Marty Kadulka.
Outside of the studio, Jen’s biggest joy is her family. She and Mike have two daughters, Elizabeth and Vanessa, who are also dance coaches, and six grandchildren—some already following in her dance footsteps. When she’s not choreographing or coaching, you’ll likely find her camping, traveling, or making memories with family and friends.
Hip Hop | Lyrical | Technique |
Contemporary | Social Media
Katelyn began her dance journey at just 9 years old and found her dance home at MDC in middle school. During her time at the studio, she was part of a national champion small group team and an encore-winning hip hop team, experiences that fueled her love for competition and performance. She continued that passion at the collegiate level, dancing competitively for South Dakota State University during the 2013–2014 season.
Katelyn has continued her dance training with renowned choreographers Ian Eastwood, Talia Favia, Kassidy Bright, and Gigi Torres.
In 2015, Katelyn transitioned from dancer to coach and she’s been shaping dancers ever since. With a blend of technique, creativity, and heart, she has choreographed award-winning routines in lyrical, hip hop, contemporary, and jazz. Her classes are designed to not only sharpen skills but also build confidence and a true love for performance.
Whether she’s working with beginners or seasoned competitors, Katelyn’s goal is always the same: to inspire, challenge, and keep the joy of dance alive. Having experienced MDC as her own second home, she’s proud to now help create that same family atmosphere for the next generation of dancers.
Hip Hop | Tap | Jazz | Technique
Madison grew up dancing and teaching at MDC while also a member of Roosevelt High School’s competitive dance and sideline cheer teams. After graduation, she continued her dance career in Mankato, Minnesota, where she taught at a local studio and danced with the Minnesota State University Mankato Dance Team, winning a collegiate national championship.
Her passion for dance has taken her across the Midwest, working with Universal Dance Association and serving as a freelance choreographer. Over the years, Madison has coached and choreographed for multiple high schools and studios in the Sioux Falls area, helping teams earn National and World winning titles.
Today, Madison wears many hats—certified surgical technologist, dance judge, freelance choreographer, devoted “fur mama,” and a coach deeply committed to her athletes. She loves pushing dancers to their fullest potential, encouraging them to embrace challenges and grow not only as performers but also as strong individuals outside of the studio.
Madison is proud to be part of the MDC family and, alongside the incredible staff, is dedicated to keeping the passion for dance alive and thriving in every dancer who walks into the studio.
Tap | Musical Theater
Known as a passionate choreographer, performer, teacher, and motivator, Julie has dedicated her life to helping dancers of all ages grow in both skill and confidence. She finds joy in guiding students toward self-discipline and a positive self-image through the art of dance.
Julie's dance journey began at just three years old and by sixteen she had moved to Los Angeles to train with some of the country’s most respected choreographers and teachers. Specializing in jazz, tap, and musical theatre, she studied at the L.A. Dance Academy and EDGE Performing Arts Center, working alongside renowned artists including Carol Conners, Bill Prudich, and Keith Clifton. At just seventeen, she had the honor of performing with the legendary Rita Moreno on Good Morning America.
From there, her career flourished. She taught jazz and tap at Scottsdale Community College, later returning to the Chicago area to teach at multiple studios and serve as Orchesis Director at St. Viator High School. In 2009, Julie became Artistic Director—and later owner—of Ottawa Dance Academy, growing the program into a nationally recognized studio with awards from conventions and competitions such as Dupree, Applause, Hollywood Dance Experience, Talent on Parade, Bravo, and Groove.
Her professional credits also include choreographing for recording artist Jason Antone, most recently choreographing and performing in his show The Real Thing. Her choreography has received numerous awards, including multiple “Top Score” recognitions for solos, duets, small groups, and productions.
After 10 successful years, she and her family relocated to Sioux Falls to start a new chapter. Now at MDC, she is thrilled to share her expertise and energy, with a special focus on expanding the musical theatre and tap programs. Her mission is to inspire dancers to push boundaries, embrace challenges, and find joy and passion in every step.
Acro | Tumbling
Jordyn has been immersed in the world of cheer and dance for as long as she can remember. With an older sister competing in both, she grew up attending countless competitions—often dancing and cheering right along on the sidelines before she was old enough to compete herself.
Her own journey began at MDC, where she discovered a love for dance before ultimately finding her true passion in cheer. Jordyn spent 13 years with Dakota Spirit, becoming part of the first cheerleading team from South Dakota to make it to Worlds. She also returned to her dance roots by joining the Roosevelt High School dance team, while simultaneously competing on the cheer team for four years and participating for three years as a sideline cheerleader for varsity football.
Now as a coach, Jordyn is passionate about helping athletes reach their full potential. She believes in building both skill and confidence and takes pride in celebrating every milestone with her dancers and cheerleaders.
Outside of coaching, Jordyn loves spending time with her four siblings and her 10 nieces and nephews. She also enjoys hiking, swimming, relaxing by the river, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.
Hip Hop | Jazz | Lyrical
Dance has been part of Vanessa's life for as long as she can remember - she stepped into her first studio class at just three years old and never looked back. She was one of the very first dancers on MDC's original Youth "Street Team" and went on to compete on bot the Junior and Senior level teams through high school. Over the past ten years, she's assisted in classes, volundeered at competitions, and coached on the sidelines. She's beyond excited to officially step into her role as a coach for the 2025-2026 season!
Trained in jazz, hip hop, and contemporary styles, Vanessa has studied with some of the best in the industry including the late Dave Scott, Mike Peele, Marty Kudelka, and Eric Campros, and she's taken part in countless conventions and workships throughout her career.
When she's not in the studio, Vanessa is mom to three kids (plus a few fur babies!) and works full time a s a lead document specialist at Citi Bank. She loves spending time with her family and has her sights set on traveling and camping more in the years to come.
Taryn has been part of MDC for over 12 years and has trained in jazz, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, and tap. She’s also a member of her high school’s dance team, where she has been performing and competing for the past three years. Out of all the styles she’s studied, hip hop holds a special place as one of her favorites.
One of Taryn’s best memories with MDC was going on a cruise with her team—an experience that combined dance, travel, and the joy of being with family and close friends. To Taryn, the best part about teaching is working with younger dancers and helping them discover their confidence, creativity, and love for movement, no matter their style or background.
Outside of the studio, Taryn enjoys spending time with her siblings. After high school, she plans to attend SDSU and pursue a degree in nursing.
Tap | Musical Theater
Brynna’s love for dance started early at just 1.5 years old in her mom’s Illinois dance studio. She grew up immersed in dance, competing from the age of 7 and training in ballet, jazz, tap, pointe, lyrical, contemporary, and musical theatre. During her competitive years, Brynna’s solos and duets consistently placed in the top five and she was part of many high-scoring group routines.
By high school, Brynna took a step away from competing to dive into the world of show choir. There, she learned from well-known choreographers like Nick Quamme and Tori Brindis, expanding her performance skills and versatility.
Since moving to South Dakota and joining MDC in 2021, Brynna has found her place not only as a dancer but also as a teacher and choreographer. In 2022, she began assisting her mom, Julie, in tap and musical theatre classes, as well as in MDC’s musical theatre summer camp. That’s when Brynna found a love of teaching and creating. She has since choreographed and co-created multiple high-scoring solos and duets and she’s excited to keep sharing her passion for dance with young dancers as they grow in skill and confidence.
