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Meet Our Instructors! ~ Owner
and Instructor Jocelyn Braudt ~ 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 the American Ballet Theatre. While Ballet is Jocelyn's passion, 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 and Steve Boyd. Jocelyn has taught course work in ballet at the college level, for the Gifted and Talented Artist Program of NJ, and for several studios on the East coast. Her teaching experience spans 26 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. Jocelyn holds a degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Springfield College in MA and has a concentration as a Child Life Specialist. Prior to moving to MN, Jocelyn had been involved with the Very Special Arts Program in NJ. She has instructed clinics for Special Olympics, and Easter Seals Camp in CT, and 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's 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 a 7th year. 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. ~ Hip Hop
Instructor Ben Bakken ~ Ben has been
performing for as long as he can remember. He is a triple threat, in
that he sings, dances, and acts. Most recently you may have seen Ben
playing the role of Rocky in The Rocky Horror Show at the Ordway Center
for the Performing Arts in St. Paul. Prior to that Ben starred as Troy
Bolton in the professional premiere of Disney’s High School Musical
at The Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis. Ben also has
his debut album “Seconds and Centuries,” available for purchase
on Itunes and and in River Valley Dance Academy’s lobby. ~
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
4th year in 2008-2009. ~
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 and 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. We are excited to welcome Kari to our staff. ~
Instructor Carol Schwarzkopf Tordoff ~ Carol was
born on the east coast, and studied at many of the major professional
dance schools throughout the U. S. on Ford Foundation scholarships,
primarily with Ballet West and the San Francisco Ballet. The majority
of her formative years were spent studying at what is now Ballet of
the Americas performing in such classics such as The Firebird, Les Sylphides,
Punchinello, The Red Shoes, Cinderella, Rhapsody in Blue, Romeo and
Juliet, and of course, The Nutcracker. She left home at 16 to study
full-time with Ballet West and eventually earned a BFA in dance performance
from University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Following college, she joined
the Minnesota Dance Theatre, and later danced briefly in Europe. Additionally,
Carol has danced locally with Isvorasul Romanian Dance Theatre, as well
as numerous guest appearances with Minnesota Opera, and Minnesota Orchestra.
Her artistic credits also include numerous musical theatre appearances,
modeling, print work, industrials, and film. ~
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 “almost” two year old Teagan. ~
Instructor Amy Jo Hoyord ~ Amy Jo Hoyord
will be specializing in our pre school area. Amy 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. She currently is
a mom of two beautiful children, and continues to dance at Zenon. ~
Instructor Amanda Quiring ~ Amanda will move from serving as an assistant instructor the last three years, into a full teaching position. As Amanda prepares to head off to college, we couldn't be more proud to have her as a member of the 2008-2009 staff. Amanda is a product of our studio, and a "powerhouse" when it comes to her performance skills. She has served as a pre school assistant, an elementary ballet assistant, and an adaptive dance assistant. She has been studying dance for 13 years, and has spent the last 8 years with River Valley Dance Academy. Amanda excels at ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop. She has performed
at Disney World, on the Sovereign of the Seas Cruise Ship, and at Minnesota
Vikings Half time productions. Amanda has taken class at Broadway Dance
Center in NY, participated in the Behind the Scenes Broadway Program
with performers from The Lion King and Wicked, and has studied with
industry professionals through her participation in the Show Stopper,
Wild, and Tremaine Dance Conventions. Please help us to welcome Amanda
to our staff. 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 Chaska, Robert has been active in CVFT, once again performing, directing and designing lights in various productions. In 2004 Robert enjoyed performing with the "Front Porch Theatre Company" playing Horton in the musical "Seussical", as part of the MN Fringe Festival. In 2005 he directed the CVFT production of "Jesus Christ Superstar", and in 2008 he directed "Beauty and the Beast" for the Chaska Valley Family Theatre, where he also serves on the Board of Directors. ~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 |
