Kari Nelson-Kalmes has been dancing since she was 3 years old, winning awards both regionally and nationally. She has received scholarships to Tremaine Dance Center and The Edge Studios in Los Angeles and has studied with Larkin Dance Studio, Ted Kivitt, and Lise Houlton-Gilleland locally.
Kari appeared on Star Search in 1992 and in the Super Bowl XXVI halftime show. She has modeled for the Mall of America, Polaris, and "Good Company", and has performed in industrial shows and fundraisers. Kari's choreography and students have taken many first and high point awards and have been recognized both regionally and nationally.
She received the Entertainment Award at the Starpower Dance Competition and was named Young Choreographer of the Year at American Dance Awards. Kari is a graduate of Bethel College with a degree in Business Management.
Stacey Nelson-Sweetman has been dancing since she was 3 years old. Her dance experience includes numerous national competition awards, appearances on "Good Company", performances in various industrials and fundraisers, and a participant of the Super Bowl XXVI halftime show. She has studied with Larkin Dance Studio, Ted Kivitt, Michelle Lucci, and Tyce Diorio. In 1994, Stacey was named Miss Showstopper and in 1996 was a finalist in the Miss New York City Dance Alliance Competition. Her performing lines have earned top awards and her choreography has been recognized at both the regional and national level. She is a graduate of the College of St. Benedict/St. John's University with a degree in Psychology
Heather Nelson-Guerrero began dancing at the age of 3 at Larkin Dance Studio, winning numerous awards both regionally and nationally. She has performed at many public events including the Mall of America and the Superbowl XXVI halftime show. Heather has also received extensive training from some of the most respected teachers in the country, including Ted Kivitt and Michelle Lucci. Heather was a three time state champion with the Totino Grace E'Gals Dance Team and continued that success as part of the University of Minnesota National Championship Dance Team in 2003. In addition to her dance studio training, Heather has taught gymnastics at Flips in White Bear Lake and was the Head Coach of the new North St. Paul High School Dance Team. Heather has also earned an Elementary Education degree from the University of Minnesota.
Melissa Nelson began dancing at the age of 2 at Larkin Dance Studio and has trained with some of the best instructors and choreographers around the country, including Ted Kivitt and Tyce Diorio. She has won many top honors and was awarded a scholarship to L.A. Underground in Los Angeles. Melissa has performed in various appearances across Minnesota, and has modeled at the Mall of America. Melissa was captain of the North St. Paul High School Dance Team where she was named one of the Universal Dance Association's All-Star Dancers. She continued to contribute to the team as their Assistant Coach. Melissa is currently pursuing a Business degree from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management.
Phillip Carman
Phillip Carman began his professional career with a Ford Foundation scholarship and ballet studies at American Ballet Theatre. Following a performing career at Pennsynlvania Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, Les Grands Ballets Canadians and Tanz Project Munchen in Germany, Mr. Carman returned to the United States and began teaching and coaching.
Mr. Carman has taught classical and contemporary ballet, modern and jazz technique with studios and dance companies internationally. Three of his former students are gold medal winners in International Ballet Competitions, with many other students now dancing profesionally.
Mr. Carman served as Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer for the Maryland Ballet for eight years. Other major teaching credits include Miami City Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Palm Beach Ballet Center, Boca Ballet, the Benjamin School, and many regional ballet schools through the U.S.
Sylvia Chandler is originally from Germany where she received the majority of her training from many respected schools including the HNT Ballet Company & School. She moved to the United States to further her training at the accredited Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and School in New York City. She has studied with Denise Jefferson, Fabrice Herault, Anna Maria Forsythe, Beth Bogush, and Celia Marino in Ballet, Pointe, Graham Technique, Horton Technique, and Floor Barre. Sylvia was a soloist for The Continental Ballet Company, has danced the role of Jester in Cinderella, and performed in the Nutcracker, Paquita, and Coppelia. She has a diploma as a Teacher of Dance from The Lola Rogge School of Dance, a 4 year professional institution, and has taught at various schools within the United States including Alvin Ailey, Continental Ballet & School, and Metropolitan Dance Alliance. She adds to our staff as both an experienced performer and educator of dance.
Brittany Bloch has been dancing since the age of three and working as a dance instructor for the last four years. She is better known for her ties with Larkin Dance Studio where she began her love for dance. She is trained in jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, hip-hop and modern. She has won numerous awards and scholarships throughout her competitive dance career and has trained with some of the nations top choreographers including Dee Caspary, Ray Leeper and Mandy Moore. She has danced in Viking half time shows, performed in venues at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom, as well as performed at the Las Vegas Mirage Hotel with the Weather Girls. Brittany has also done choreography for local music artists and was featured in a recent hip-hop music video for upcoming pop artist Stacy B.
Ricci Milan has established himself as one of the most exciting and entertaining members of today's dance world. He started dancing at the Larkin Dance Studio, where he trained for 12 years. Since that time, he has performed for the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Disney, PBS, Target, Compaq, Best Buy and Opryland. Milan is also a master teacher who has taught throughout the world. Milan's passion and ability have given him the honor of performing with the famous Jason Samuels, Savion Glover and Kirk Franklin. Ricci is co-creator and co-choreographer of the new group "Rhythmic Circus" and was co-creator and co-choreographer of "Ten Foot Five". This group entertained throughout the country with great reviews from Helsinki to Hollywood and from MTV to VH1. Ricci was also the featured soloist in "One", showing at the Alabama Theatre in Myrtle
Beach and "Tap Happy" at Tokyo Disneyland.
Megan Zaun
Coming Soon
