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RICK AUSLAND
Master Class Teacher & Adjudicator

Rick Ausland is a Minnesota born and raised tap dancer, choreographer, teacher, drummer, and producer. In addition to dance and performance he has extensive experience in sound design, lighting design, film production, photography, and event management. He is a co-founder of the Minneapolis-based dance and music companies 10 Foot 5 (1997-2002) and the award-winning Buckets and Tap Shoes that performs throughout the US and internationally. He is also the co-founder of the Twin Cities-based Sparkle Theatricals—an immersive theatre production company.

Buckets and Tap Shoes was a featured act on A Prairie Home Companion, voted “Best Dance Performance 2005” by the Minneapolis City Pages, and was nominated for a 2013 SAGE Award for “Outstanding Performer."

In the Twin Cities, Ausland has had the honor of performing at the Cowles Center for Performing Arts, the Guthrie’s Dowling Studio, the Fitzgerald Theater, the First Avenue Mainroom, the Dakota Jazz Club, the Lab Theater, the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, and many other venues.

He has choreographed and taught dance throughout Minnesota (Lundstrum Performing Arts, Children’s Theatre, Main Street School for Performing Arts, Perpich Center for Arts Education, the St. Paul Conservatory, Zenon) and abroad (Austria, Ecuador, Finland, Malta, and Russia).

He has studied under Dianne Walker, Bril Barrett, Dr. Henry LeTang, Dr. Cholly Atkins, and is a graduate of Larkin Dance Studio and the Perpich Center for Arts Education (Media Arts Major).

In November of 2023 Rick made his 3rd appearance since 2003 in the Walker Art Center’s Choreographers’ Evening. He is currently is developing The Storage Unit Chronicles a new show by Buckets and Tap Shoes, and he continues to host the Have Tap Shoes Will Travel podcast.

bucketsandtapshoes.com

HELEN HATCH
Master Class Teacher & Adjudicator

Helen Hatch is a Minneapolis-based performer, choreographer, director, and teacher. Recognized as one of MN Monthly’s 10 Artists to Watch in 2012, Helen began her career with Minnesota Dance Theatre, where she performed a diverse range of repertory and created her own choreographic works. In 2018, she formed Hatch Dance, which, under her direction, has produced critically acclaimed performances that combine dance, music, and theater, developed through innovative collaborative processes. Helen is a graduate of the Ailey/ Fordham University BFA program. Throughout her career, Helen has danced repertory by renowned choreographers including Christopher Bruce, Danny Buraczewski, Eliot Feld, Loyce Houlton, José Limón, and Glen Tetley. She has originated roles in works by Adam Barruch, Stefanie Batten Bland, Jon Ferguson, Penelope Freeh, Francesca Harper, Lise Houlton, Helen Pickett, Dominique Serrand, and many others. In addition to working extensively on freelance projects in MN and nationally, she has performed with The Moving Company and The Minnesota Opera. Her choreography has been presented at the Ailey Citigroup Theater, the 2011 Jacob’s Pillow Inside/Out Festival, The Southern Theater, throughout Mexico and Guatemala by the Juntos Collective, and commissioned by Minnesota Dance Theatre, Saint Paul Ballet, Aveda, Mareck Dance, and The Cowles Center. In 2022, Helen was selected for the Choreographic Institute Residency at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. The following year, she served as an Artist in Residence at Moulin/Belle in Mareuil en Périgord, France. Since 2013, Helen has taught ballet throughout the Twin Cities and is currently a teaching artist at Saint Paul Ballet and Minnesota Dance Theatre.

ALLISON DOUGHTY MARQUESEN
Master Class Teacher & Adjudicator

Allison Doughty Marquesen is a proud Twin Cities native. A diverse performer, Allison’s stage experience ranges from principal ballet roles, to contemporary and classical jazz concert dance, to musical theater review alongside comedian Louie Anderson. After training and performing in NYC and Chicago, she returned to Minneapolis to earn her BFA in Dance from the University of MN. There, she performed in works by Uri Sands, Joe Chvala and Anna Sokolow. Locally, Allison was a founding member and principal dancer of the Saint Paul City Ballet Company from 2007-13 and served as Co-Interim Artistic Director in 2012-13. In addition to choreographing for the company, she performed lead roles in many contemporary ballets and classics such as Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty and The Enchanted Toyshop. She also danced for Minneapolis-based jazz company Eclectic Edge Ensemble (2006-18) and was part of the ensemble that won the 2015 Sage Award for “Outstanding Performance.” With EEE, Allison worked with artists such as Danny Buraczeski, Zoe Sealy, and Karla Grotting.

As a dance educator and creator, Allison is blessed to have taught and choreographed both nationally and internationally. In 2010, she spent 8 months working with the Chiang Mai Ballet and was honored by the U.S. Consulate in Thailand for her choreographic work. She has been an adjunct faculty member at Minnesota State University, Mankato since 2014, where she has created many new pieces as an Andreas Guest Artist. Propelled by a deep interest in the intersection of dance and other healing modalities, Allison completed an MA in Holistic Health Studies from St. Catherine University in 2013, where her research was rooted in nutrition education for youth dancers and athletes. Additionally, she is a certified holistic nutrition and wellness coach, Emotion Code practitioner, yoga instructor, and is a trained Pilates instructor. Since 2017, Allison has taught “Nutrition & Body Maintenance” in the University of MN dance department.

www.allisondoughtymarquesen.com

MIA JOHNSON
Master Class Teacher

Mia Johnson is a versatile dance artist, teacher, and maker, with experience in various movement styles and communities. She began dancing as a member of "Legacy: A Tribute to the King of Pop" which forged connections to some of the Street Dance and Hip Hop community in MN. She later began formal dance training at TU Dance Center and Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, training in various styles of Modern, Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, House, Breaking and dance composition classes. She received a B.A. in Dance from the University of Minnesota.

Mia’s performance experience includes work in: all-female hip hop collective "S.H.E.- She Who Holds Everything" under directors Al Taw’am; Maia Maiden Productions’ “Rooted: A Hip Hop Choreographer’s Evening” with choreographers Alan Mure and Al Taw’am - a show in which she also premiered & performed her original choreography; “Mixtape” productions with choreographers Herb Johnson and Jason Noer; and various other independent projects other freelance choreographers and local Hip Hop crews and artists. She trains as "Twin FW.K.D" in Krump under Herb Johnson aka Fair Warning, and she has participated in various battles, workshops, sessions, and performances around the country to deepen her training in Krump. Mia has also traveled to several workshops and intensives in Hip Hop & Street Dance choreography and technique. Some of her teaching experience includes teaching Hip Hop classes at House of Dance Twin Cities, Hip Hop & Creative Movement classes at TU Dance Center, and various local workshops.

JOLENE KONKEL
Master Class Teacher & Adjudicator

Jolene Konkel began her dance training in Milwaukee under William Reilly, a descendant of Jerome Robbin’s Ballets: USA and at the Milwaukee Ballet, Milwaukee High School of the Arts, and Danceworks. While in Milwaukee she performed professionally with the Milwaukee Opera Company and Danceworks before relocating to Chicago to study jazz dance at Gus Giordano’s and the Lou Conte Dance Studio.  She went on to pursue her BFA in dance at the University of Minnesota and additionally holds a BS in Christian Studies and Theater from North Central University, and her MFA in Performance and Choreography from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Jolene is the founder of the School of Dance program at YWAM’s global University of the Nations where she spent 5 years training dancers internationally from over 15 nations and organizing dance outreach opportunities around the globe. She is also the founder of the dance program at the University of Northwestern St. Paul where she served as adjunct faculty and Dance Director from 2008-2025, developing and teaching the dance curriculum as well as directing the University of Northwestern Dance Theatre and serving as resident choreographer for the Musical Theater program. Her choreographic work has been showcased at Belhaven University, Bloomington Center for the Arts, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, Choreographers Evening, Crown College, Elevate, Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF), MN Fringe Festival, Old Arizona, Patrick’s Cabaret, Project Dance, Rhythmically Speaking, Southern Theater, Southwest State University, St. Olaf, University of MN Jazz Here Jazz Now, University of Wisconsin -Milwaukee Dancemakers, Wooddale Church, and Zenon Dance Zone. Outside of dance education, Ms. Konkel is the founder and Artistic Director of Concerto Dance, a local professional modern and jazz dance company.

EMMY MENDEZ
Master Class Teacher & Adjudicator

Emmy Mendez is a passionate dance educator dedicated to creating a supportive environment where dancers feel encouraged to explore their potential. With over a decade of teaching experience, she has worked with studios and dance teams across the Twin Cities and beyond, earning top national recognition for her choreography and teaching expertise. Emmy grew up training in a variety of dance styles at The Dance Warehouse and later danced under Crash Dance Productions. She has collaborated with leading industry professionals on choreography while continuing to develop her own original works. Now focusing on contemporary, Emmy channels her creative energy into shaping the next generation of dancers, empowering them to express themselves through movement.

KELLY OLSON
Master Class Teacher

Kelly brings a rich and diverse dance background, spanning studio training, dance team leadership, and professional experience. As a member of the Eden Prairie Pom Squad and the University of St. Thomas Dance Team, she contributed to eight UDA National Dance Championships, developing a deep understanding of excellence, teamwork, and high-level performance. Kelly has choreographed state and national-level routines for programs across the country, including Clemson University, the University of Northern Iowa, and Fargo North High School. She has continued her training at places like Broadway Dance Center in New York, Crash Dance Productions, and Hot House Minneapolis. Kelly is passionate about encouraging students to work hard, express themselves both artistically and athletically, and enjoy the process along the way.

LAURA OSTERHAUS
Master Class Teacher & Adjudicator

Laura Osterhaus Rosenstone is a movement artist and educator, born and raised in the Midwest. Across all modes of creating, she strives to connect with and listen to people. Laura received her M.F.A. in Choreography & Performance from Smith College and her B.A. in Dance from the University of Minnesota. Throughout her years of dance education, Laura had the opportunity to work with choreographers Nora Chipaumire, Gregory Dolbashian, Maurya Kerr, Garth Fagan, and Chris Aiken among others. As a member of Zenon Dance Company in Minneapolis 2016-2019, Laura performed the work of Kyle Abraham, Stephanie Batten-Bland, Michelle Boulé, Danny Buraczeski, and Sam Kim, to name a few. Laura is a member of creative trio, Kelvin Wailey, in addition to her on-screen and live performance roles alongside musical artists for John Mark Creative. She is also the founding artistic director of Slo Dance Company. Her most recent performances include Vanessa Anspaugh’s Bessie-nominated mourning after mornings, STRONGMovement, Contempo Physical Dance and the Volksoper Opera in Vienna, Austria. Laura is a founding member of Kia the Key & Company, an East coast-based street and club styles company, and assistant to the artistic director Shakia “The Key” Barron. Laura has been an educator at St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, the Young Dancers Intensive at Bates Dance Festival, and is currently an adjunct lecturer at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities.

Photography by Atila Vadoc

EVE SCHULTE
Master Class Teacher & Adjudicator

Eve Schulte is a dance artist and arts administrator based in Minneapolis, MN. Her preferred job title is Collaborator, and she believes engagement with the performing arts is the key to world peace. Eve has performed or taught internationally in five countries, nationally in 17 states, and locally in 30+ Minnesota communities. Her choreography has been featured alongside the National Lutheran Choir, Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus, Minnesota Opera, and Minnesota Orchestra. She is currently Managing Director at Ananya Dance Theatre.

Linda Talcott Lee
Master Class Teacher & Adjudicator

Linda Talcott Lee is an Emmy award winning choreographer and Broadway veteran. On Broadway, Linda was an original cast member in Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, The Goodbye Girl, Beauty and the Beast, and joined Seussical before it closed. Recently, Linda has performed at the Guthrie (My Fair Lady, She Loves Me, Roman Holiday), Ordway (A Christmas Story, Cinderella), Chanhassen DT (White Christmas, The Prom,WSS, Mary Poppins, Swing and Cats), and the Fitzgerald (Wild Party). Most notably, Linda earned an Emmy award for her work in The Comedy Hall of Fame with Jason Alexander. Some of her theatrical choreographic credits include: Beauty and the Beast at the Ordway; Romeo and Juliet at the Guthrie; Matilda, Cinderella, Mulan and How the Grinch Stole Christmas at CTC; Baker’s Wife, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Next to Normal and City of Angels at Artistry; A Servants’ Christmas and Hormel Girls at the History Theatre. 

ELAYNA WAXSE
Master Class Teacher & Adjudicator

Elayna Waxse (she/they) is a Minneapolis-based performer, dance educator, and choreographer. Professionally, Elayna has performed with Minnesota Dance Theatre, Colorado Ballet Studio Company, Black Label Movement, BodyCartography Project, and with Cie. Ismael Ivo at ImPulsTanz Vienna International Dance Festival. They were a member of TU Dance from 2012 to 2019, and were part of the original creation team of Come Through, the collaboration between TU Dance and Grammy-award winning musical group Bon Iver. Through this collaboration Elayna performed at the Hollywood Bowl, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Their choreographic work has been supported by Minnesota Dance Theatre, University of Minnesota Dance Department (2022 Sage Cowles Visiting Artist), Carleton College Dance Department, Threads Dance Project, and University of Minnesota Opera Theatre among others. She is a 2019 recipient of a McKnight Fellowship in Dance, and served as the Interim Artistic Director of Minnesota Dance Theatre in 2024. Elayna has been on faculty at numerous institutions including the University of Minnesota, Minnesota Dance Theatre, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, TU Dance, and Ballare Teatro among many others. She is currently the Dayton/Hudson Visiting Artist/Instructor at Carleton College.

Photography by Michael Slobodian