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 5th 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 4th 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 2026-27 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.

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 be part of the WBDC staff for the second 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 for her third season as Office Manager!

Her exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills are highlighted in the office manager role.

Instructor

Carsyn graduated from St. Cloud State University in fall of 2024 with her degree in Marketing and currently works at Lifetime Fitness as a Kids Academy Supervisor. 

Carsyn began dancing in 2009 at the age of 9 and started competing at the age of 10. Throughout her time as a dancer, she trained in tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, musical theater and hip-hop. She was a 5 year member of the Elk River Dance Team and served on the choreography team for 4 seasons. She began choreographing competitive numbers at the age of 14 and instantly fell in love with creating and teaching. Since graduating high school, Carsyn has taught and choreographed for several studios across Minnesota. Carsyn also spent 2 seasons coaching for the Farmington Tigers Dance Team. 

Carsyn is beyond excited to be joining the WBDC staff for the 26-27 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 and 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 throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Florida, she has loved returning home to MN where she is going into her 17th 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

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 an instructor at WBDC for another season!

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 a natural choice to have her transition into an instructor roll after she graduated.

She is so excited for the 2026-27 season.

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 also 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 17th 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, Caitlyn, Melissa, Chelsea, Rachael and Barb for everything you do to make WBDC run smoothly.