Meet Our Instructors!

~ Owner and Instructor Jocelyn Braudt ~

Owner and Instructor Jocelyn Braudt received her dance training in both NY and NJ. A student of Neva McCrimmon, of New Zealand, Jocelyn trained for 14 years under London’s Royal Academy of Dancing’s International Ballet Syllabus. Selected to travel with an International Ballet Examiner from London’s Royal Ballet School, Jocelyn helped present the Dance Education Syllabus to the Academy’s United States Teachers. Additional studies in ballet include coursework with David Howard, and at the American Ballet Theatre.

While ballet is Jocelyn’s passion, and she believes it is the basis for all other forms of dance, she has also studied Jazz under Frank Hatchett of Broadway Dance Center in New York City, Ron DeMarco (NYC) and Steve Boyd (Springfield, MA).

Jocelyn has taught course work in ballet at the college level, for the Gifted and Talented Artists Program of NJ, and for several studios on the east coast. Her teaching experience spans 29 years. She has choreographed for competition dance teams, touring show choirs, musicals, cheerleading squads, and band fronts on the high school and college scene. She has been a member of The Shore Ballet Co, held roles in regional theatre, and sung with the contemporary Christian music group Touchstone. She has enjoyed providing the choreography for Chaska Valley Family Theatres Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, Jesus Christ Superstar, Buddy Holly, Camelot, Beauty and the Beast, Little Women, and in 2011 looks forward to Cinderella.

Jocelyn holds a degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Springfield College in MA with a concentration in Child Life. Prior to moving to MN, Jocelyn worked as a Child Life Specialist and was involved with the Very Special Arts program in NJ. She has instructed clinics for Special Olympics, an Easter Seals, and 24 years ago founded the Rainbow Dancers for physically challenged youth. Jocelyn has developed Dance Therapy programs at the VA Medical Center in NJ, and has also utilized her training with the Children’s Hospital in New Jersey.

~ Instructor Gena Buckley ~

River Valley Dance Academy owner, Jocelyn, had the privilege of working with Gena as a youth growing into her dance career. Now Gena has gone on to become a professional dancer, and we are so pleased to have her joining our staff for an 9th year (2010-2011).

In her earlier years you could find Gena kicking up a storm on the State Champion East View Lightning Dance Team. Gena was honored to represent her school when she was awarded as an All Conference Dancer her Senior year in High School. She went on to study dance in the Minneapolis area and is a proud Alumni of the Minnesota Viking's Cheerleaders. She spent 4 rewarding years cheering on the Vikings and performing with the MVC. Gena was one of four to have ever made the MVC right out of High School at the time. One of her favorite memories of being an MVC was having the opportunity to travel to Fort Hood Texas to perform in a Holiday show for the troops and families on the base.

Gena was a registered judge with the MN State High School League for 2 years, where she had the opportunity to judge College and High School Dance competitions as well as Dance Team Tryouts throughout the state. She has also modeled for Just For Kix dance catalog and The Line up. Most recently Gena appeared in a National Commercial for Big Lots.

When Gena is not teaching dance at RVDA she is working with the Lakeville North High School Lake Liners as their Varsity Jazz Coach.

- E-mail Gena -

~ Instructor Rachel Svihel ~

Rachel began dancing at the age of three and has been dancing ever since. She graduated with a BFA in Dance from the University of Minnesota and went on to perform with a number of local companies before beginning to work as an instructor and choreographer. Her work has included Assistant Choreographer for Prairie Dance Alliance’s bi-annual production of “Nutcracker” and adjunct dance faculty at Southwest Minnesota State University.

Rachel’s modern choreography has received many awards at competitions such as American Dance Awards and Dance Olympus/America including first place awards at the national level. She will be returning to RVDA for her 6th year in 2010-2011.

~ Instructor Karianna Jensen Milich ~

Kari began her training at the Marin Ballet School in San Rafael, CA. At the age of 14 she entered a professional training program at the Royal Winnipeg School. Upon her return to California, she trained and performed with The San Francisco Ballet. After an injury forced an early retirement, she married and had a son. In 2001 she began dancing again as a hobby, and by 2003 she was asked to be the principal dancer and Ballet Mistress for Ballet Spokane in Washington state, where she performed leading roles in Sleeping Beauty, Dracula, Coppelia, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Cinderella. She was also given the opportunity to choreograph. Kari’s piece Modern Bach received critical acclaim, and remains in the company repertoire. In 2005 Kari joined Continental Ballet Company in Bloomington as a soloist, performing roles such as “Prayer” in Coppelia, “Pas de trois” in both Swan Lake and Paquita, “Snow Queen” and “Flower Queen” in The Nutcracker, and the “Bluebird” pas de deux in Sleeping Beauty.

In 2009 Kari began performing with Ballet MN, and from 2008 to present she began directing and choreographing many of her own pieces for her own company for the MN Fringe Festival. We look forward to Kari's return to RVDA in 2010-2011 for her 3rd year.

~ Instructor Monica Kleen ~

Monica comes to us with a long history of studio and performance dance training. She has studied tap, jazz and ballet with Victoria’s Dance Productions and Andahazy School of Classical Ballet. She has attended workshops with Savion Glover, Dave Carter, and other industry professionals. Monica has a third place National title in Tap to her credit. In addition to studio training, Monica has danced in theatrical productions such as Guys ‘n Dolls, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She was a member of the State Champion Eastview Lightning Dance Team for two years.

Along with her extensive dance and gymnastic background, Monica also enjoys competing in Rodeo games including barrel racing and pole weaving. Monica is proud mom to four year old Teagan. Monica returns to RVDA in 2010-2011 for her 3rd year.

~ Instructor Amy Jo Hoyord ~

Amy Jo received her Elementary Education Degree with a minor in Dance and a minor in Special Education from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. At Eau Claire she was involved in the Concert Dance Company, and the American Dance Festival, where she served both as a choreographer and a performer. During her high school years she was part of the Eastview Lightning: State, Section, and Conference Championship Varsity Jazz Funk Team.

Amy Jo is a mom of two beautiful children, and continues to dance at Zenon. 2010-2011 will be Amy's 3rd year teaching at RVDA.

~ Hip Hop Instructor Colleen McClellan Ueland ~

We are very excited to welcome Colleen to River Valley Dance Academy. Colleen served as a guest instructor at RVDA last year, and her talents will be a wonderful addition to our staff. Colleen has worked as a Director, Producer, Choreographer, Dance Educator, and as a Commercial Actress. She has performed with "Prince" and the NPG, The Guthrie Theatre's "Much Ado About Nothing", Minnesota Opera's "The Pearl Fischers", Chanhassen Dinner Theatre's "Oklahoma" and "Swing". Additional dance credits include performing with Joe Chavala and the Flying Foot Forum. As a Dance Educator Colleen has worked with numerous organizations including: St. Paul Conservatory for the Performing Arts, The Children's Theatre Company, University of MN Dance Program, Zenon Dance, East Side Arts Council, The Boys and Girls Club, Stepping Stone Theatre, The Lundstrum Center, Circus Juventas, and City of Lakes Waldorf School.

Colleen has created choreography for Walker Arts Center, Minneapolis Institute of the Arts, Mixed Blood Theatre, and the Torch Theatre. Her commercial choreography credits are lengthy, and versatile. Finally, she is the founder of two Minneapolis based dance companies; CU Move (formerly Elysian Fields), and Hip Hop Co-op (featured in Dance Spirit Magazine).

Musical Theatre Instructors

~Robert Braudt~

Robert, husband of owner/ instructor Jocelyn Braudt, does more than work with the Musical Theatre program at RVDA. From managing our books, to stage managing our shows, Robert has provided the necessary glue to help make RVDA “tick”.

An Iowa State Thespian, during college you could find Robert directing, stage managing, performing, and designing. Some of his credits include work in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Gypsy, Lysistrata, Ahh! Wilderness, and The Cherry Orchard. After receiving a degree in Political Science and Theatre, Robert went on to seminary at Drew University, where he received his Master of Divinity. During his time in NJ he also did financial forecasting for AT&T and sang in the contemporary Christian music group Touchstone.

Since moving to Minnesota, Robert has been active in CVFT, once again performing, directing and designing lights in various productions. Most recently Robert enjoyed performing with the “Front Porch Theatre” playing Horton in the musical “Seussical” at the 2004 Fringe Festival, directing the 2005 CVFT production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” and directing the 2008 production of “Beauty and the Beast” with CVFT where he serves on the Board of Directors.

Robert can be found serving part-time as the pastor of Hanover Zion United Methodist Church in Hanover, MN.

- E-mail Robert -

~Cindy Larson~

After seeing Cindy transform herself into Captain Hooks right hand man, Schmee, in Chaska Valley Family Theatre’s production of Peter Pan, we just knew we had to have her on our staff. Cindy has a long history in the theatre, and is excited to be sharing her wealth of knowledge with our musical theatre students. After attending Minnetonka High School (including performances in Pheifers People, Ten Little Indians, and her favorite role of “Winnifred” in Once Upon a Mattress), Cindy went on to study theatre at the University of Wisconsin in Lacrosse. After the restoration comedy of Man of Mode, and serving as a reporter for the college TV station, she returned to the Minneapolis area. She began to study theatre both at MacPhail and with Rueben Singer at the Jewish Community Theatre.

From her role as Sissy Hooten in Autograph Hounds at the Edith Bush Theatre in St. Paul back in 1976, to her colorful role as the Gypsy in Camino Rio. Cindy’s versatility as an actress has been a gift. Cindy’s creative talents have also found her teaching at the ECFE in Deephaven, at St. Therese Church and School, and running her own business creating parties for children. “It is in play and spontaneity that we see children succeed in drama class.”

Currently, Cindy resides in Minnetonka with her loving husband Craig and three children.

"To touch, to move, to inspire - This is the true gift of dance." -A. Lynch