WBDC Staff

Instructor, Adaptive Dance Instructor

Gretchen graduated from the University of North Dakota with a degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Education. She loves her job as a 4th grade teacher at Centennial Elementary.

She danced for 16 years and was a competitive dancer for 11 years. She won awards both regionally and nationally as a dancer. She also performed in Walt Disney World in 2016.

She has worked as an assistant teacher for recreational and competitive classes for 5 years and teaching for 9 years both at WBDC and a dance studio in North Dakota.

We always loved when she spent her summers back home teaching at WBDC and are thrilled to have her back on staff year round for a third season!

Instructor

Allison began dancing at the age of 3 and grew up studying ballet at St. Croix Ballet Academy in Stillwater, MN. She continued her dance education at Out on a Limb Dance Company and School in St. Paul, where she broadened her training to include jazz, lyrical, contemporary, musical theater, and tap. She also performed with Out on a Limb as a company member for many years.

Outside of her dance life, she holds a BFA in graphic design and a BA in journalism from the University of Minnesota. She is the owner and graphic designer behind AllieMarie Design (check out her work at www.alliemariedesign.com).

She's also a proud dance mom of a Petite Company member this year! 

Allison discovered a love for teaching in 2005 and has enjoyed instructing in all styles of dance to students of all ages throughout the Twin Cities area.

We are excited to have Allison on staff again for the 2025-26 season!

Instructor, Adaptive Dance Instructor

Carolyn received her bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language-Hearing: Sciences and Disorders from the University of Kansas and her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Iowa. She is currently a speech-language pathologist for White Bear Lake Area Schools, working in early childhood and the 18-22 transition program.

Carolyn began dancing at the age of three in her home state of Iowa. She trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, contemporary, and musical theater at Ashlee’s Creative Arts Academy, Robert Thomas Dancenter, and The Dance Connection. She was a competitive dancer with Ashlee’s Creative Arts Academy and performed in the Iowa State Center production of the Nutcracker Ballet for many years. She was a four-year varsity member and senior captain of the Iowa Falls-Alden Dance Team, where the team earned many state champion and runner-up titles.

While in college, Carolyn minored in dance and performed in various department and student-run companies and showcases.

Carolyn is passionate about helping students grow and giving them an outlet to express themselves, whether it be through communication or movement.

She is very excited to join the WBDC staff for the 2025-26 season!

Sarah has been a part of WBDC since 2015, when her oldest daughter began dancing at the studio. After spending several years as a dance mom, she joined WBDC’s amazing Front Desk staff.

Since then, she has enjoyed helping WBDC around the studio and community and is excited to do the role of Office Manager for the second season!

Her exceptional attention to detail and organization skills will be highlighted in this new role!

Instructor

Jennie is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a degree in Business & Marketing. She is currently working at Land O’Lakes as a Senior Program Associate.

She has been a dancer for over 20 years. Growing up she trained at White Bear Dance Center in ballet, jazz, lyrical, musical theater, hip hop and tap. She was a competitive company dancer with WBDC for 13 years. She received numerous regional and national awards/titles and was often recognized for her turn technique and stage presence.

She went on to become a 4 year member, one as captain, of the University of Minnesota Premier Dance Team. Since graduation she continues her training by taking classes in the Twin Cities area, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City.

She is delighted to be able to share her love for dance and fitness by being back at WBDC as an instructor for another season.

Instructor, Co-Owner

Jenny is one of the proud co-owners of White Bear Dance Center.   

She grew up dancing in the Twin Cities Area, as an award winning regional and national competition dancer.   She graduated from The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a BA in Dance, she moved to Orlando to work for Walt Disney World.   She loved working for Walt Disney World Entertainment within the 4 theme parks, various resorts, and special events.  Her favorite position was with Disney Magic Music Days (Disney Performing Arts and now Imagination Campus), a department that brings children/performers from all over the world to perform within Walt Disney World.  

After teaching in dance studios and running various competition programs through out Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Florida, she has loved returning home to MN where she is going into her 16th season as co-owner of WBDC. 

Known for her choreography, costuming and creativity, she loves sharing her passion for dance and theater with her students.

Instructor, Adaptive Dance Instructor

We are thrilled to have Payten back at WBDC as an instructor for another season.

She is an Education Assistant Specialist at Pankalo Education Center. She adores working and helping children feel great about themselves and showing them how to feel confident and successful in a learning environment.

She was a WBDC Company dancer for 10 years and assistant for 6 years. Working as a nanny, babysitter, chauffeur and built in best friend for what feels like all of our younger company dancers at WBDC it was only a natural choice to have her transition into an instructor roll after she graduated.

She is so excited for the 2025-26 season.

Instructor

Paige graduated from University of Wisconsin La Crosse with a bachelor’s degree in Biology.

She is currently a Certified Nursing Assistant working in end of life care with the plans of going back to school for Nursing.

She started dancing at White Bear Dance Center at the age of 5. She was a member of a competitive company for 10 years. While at WBDC she worked as an assistant teacher for 5 years and an instructor for 2 years.

She continued her dance career while in college. She was on the UWL Dance Team all 4 years and 2 years as captain. She competed both regionally and nationally, placing top 3 in the nation at nationals with the UWL Dance Team.

She is excited to be back as Instructor at WBDC this season!!

Instructor

Madison is a graduate of the University of Minnesota’s Duluth campus, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with department honors in Theatre, as well as a minor in dance.

Madison began dancing recreationally at 3 years old, then transitioned to competitive in the 4th grade. She spent 12 years at Dancin’ on Broadway, learning and competing styles such as: jazz, contemporary, lyrical, tap, hip hop, musical theatre, and ballet. She also attended high school at the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists as a member of the Musical Theatre track, where she developed a love for choreographing and performing in musicals.

She recently choreographed UMD’s student led production of Firebringer in 2022, as well as choreographing for several of their dance concerts.

Madison is currently working as a retail associate and professional pointe shoe fitter at Grand Jete in St Paul. If you don’t find her there or in the studio, she is probably with friends developing new projects. A self proclaimed “jack of all trades”, Madison is passionate about anything and everything related to the arts, and strives to foster a positive and energetic environment wherever she goes.

She is overwhelmingly excited to share her love of dance as an instructor at WBDC, and to get the chance to pay forward all of the training and support she received throughout the years.

Instructor, Co-Owner

Katie is one of the proud co-owners of White Bear Dance Center.  

Dance has been part of her life since she can remember.  She grew up performing and training with The Dance Shoppe.   She was a regional and national award winning dancer and now loves sharing her passion with her students.  She attended Gustavus Adolphus College and The University of Minnesota with a BA in Dance.  She was a member of the Dance Team for The U of M.   

She has danced professionally in hair and convention shows, in various theaters and outlets in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and for the Royal Caribbean International Cruise lines.  

After teaching at various studios in the area, she was happy to become co-owner of WBDC, going into their 16th season.

Known for her classic technique, high energy choreography, and intense tapping, she is a favorite amongst all ages and levels of students!

A huge THANK YOU to Rebecca, Sarah, Jaymi, Melissa, Chelsea, Rachael and Barb for everything you do to make WBDC run smoothly.