Jennifer Carlson
OWNER & INSTRUCTOR
Metropolitan Dance Alliance is Jen’s forever studio. Jen started dancing at the age of three training with Shari Heitz at Shari’s Dance Center. Shari then sold the studio to Cathy Downey which then changed to Metropolitan Dance Alliance. After training with Cathy Downey for her senior year of high school, Jen went off to college at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities where she continued her dance education while pursuing her bachelor’s degree in political science and history. Jen then went to law school earning a JD degree in 2000. While in law school, Jen was invited by Cathy Downey to teach at MDA. This opportunity reignited Jen’s passion for dance and teaching. For many years, Jen worked as a staff attorney for the State of Minnesota while teaching at Metropolitan Dance Alliance. In 2016 Jen was offered the privilege to purchase the studio…and she did. Jen loves the creative outlet dance provides students as well as the training, discipline and empowerment dance offers for students to seek, chase and attain goals.
In her free time, Jen enjoys spoiling #1 dog Fritz, and generally finding anything to do outdoors.
Abbi Fern
INSTRUCTOR
Abbi grew up dancing right here at MDA! After graduating in 2012, she went on to continue dancing at Viterbo University where she completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre with a minor in Dance. While studying, she was lucky enough to perform and dance captain in a wide variety of musicals, such as A Chorus Line, Pippin, West Side Story, Oklahoma, and many other productions.
Abbi has been heavily involved in the Twin Cities theatre community where she has performed in musicals such as Sweet Charity, The Pajama Game, Legally Blonde, and more. She choreographed musicals High Fidelity, Be More Chill, Lizzy, Singin’ in the Rain, and Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Being able to take these experiences from the professional level and hand them off to the students at MDA is one of her greatest joys.
Cathy Downey
INSTRUCTOR
Cathy Downey began her training at an early age where she studied primarily ballet and pointe. After high school, Cathy pursued professional ballet training with Continental Ballet company in Bloomington, Minnesota under the direction of Riet Velthuisen. While at Continental, Cathy performed various lead roles in the Nutcracker, Paquita, Carnival of the Animals, and Coppelia just to name a few.
In addition to her ballet education and experience, Cathy has pursued extensive training in tap, jazz, lyrical, ethnic, modern, and musical theater. Cathy is a certified Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT) instructor, and brings the practice to all of her students and classes. Outside of the classroom, Cathy was an inaugural member of the Minnesota Timberwolves Reebok Performance Team giving her the opportunity to train, dance and perform with The an elite group of dance choreographers and dancers.
Cathy’s passion remains the art of dance and she loves how dance offers individuals a unique platform to communicate their emotions, thoughts, personal experiences through the artform, as well as how it allows bodies to move freely and authentically. Cathy loves teaching dance and has taught over 35+ years! Cathy has taught generations of dancers and is grateful for the opportunity to share her love of dance to children of all ages. When not teaching dance, she loves spending time with family.
Joan Madren
INSTRUCTOR
Joan joined Metropolitan Dance Alliance in 2002 and has enjoyed teaching primarily tap and musical show to all class levels from recreation to elite performance lines, in addition to other dance styles. She also works with soloists, trios, and small groups. Many of her dances have received awards at a regional and national level. She has watched some of her youngest dancers grow up to perform at the college level as well as become amazing teachers.
Joan studied at the Dubuque Dance Studio and Gymnastic Club under the direction of Carolu Digman Welbes, where she studied tap, ballet, jazz, and pointe. Through high school and college, she taught dance classes ranging from preschool to junior high students as well as coached the high school dance team. She also taught entry-level tumbling classes and assisted gymnastic teams and choreography for their floor routines. She was active in cheerleading and dance line through high school and college as well.
Joan's philosophy in working with children is: "The most important thing I want to instill in my students is a sense of self confidence and respect for themselves and others. When a child accomplishes something and is having fun in the learning process the outcome will be much more successful.”
When she is not teaching, Joan works full-time as Director of Consulting for a large healthcare data company.
Kati Mousel
INSTRUCTOR
Kati (Hoen) Mousel has been dancing in some capacity since she was three years old. She started her dancing career here at this dance studio when it was under the direction of Shari (Sinn) Heitz, and upon graduation, it was under the direction of Cathy Christensen and became Metropolitan Dance Alliance. Growing up, Kati was exposed to many different styles of dance including ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, musical show, ethnic, and pointe. Shari and Cathy, along with her family, were instrumental in creating the foundation of dance that has turned into a passion. Dance has opened doors and created relationships throughout her life that she truly treasures.
After high school, she attended the College of St. Benedict where she received her degree in elementary education. While there, she was a dancer and captain of the St. Ben’s Dance Team where she was responsible for the organization and choreography for the team. In 2003, she was given the opportunity to come back and teach at MDA, which she did for seven years.
In 2010, she took a break from teaching to start her family and focus on furthering her education by earning a Master’s degree in curriculum instruction. While she stepped away from the dance studio, she was able to continue passing on her love of dance by coaching the Shakopee Area Catholic School Dance Team.
Within that time, her own children started dancing and brought her back to the studio on a regular basis, because of this, she was given the opportunity to once again teach at MDA. As a teacher, her favorite part is watching her students on stage. It is such a treat to see all the hard work pay off and witness the growth, excitement, and pride of each dancer.
When Kati is not at the dance studio, she keeps herself quite busy as a mom of four and a middle school teacher at Shakopee Area Catholic School.
Maddie Lund
INSTRUCTOR
Maddie Lund graduated college from Gustavus Adolphus College, where she received her education degree. Working with children and dancing have always been two of Maddie's passions. She began her dancing career at the age of three. She grew up dancing at Metropolitan Dance Alliance here in Shakopee, where she studied ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, musical show, and pointe. While dancing at MDA, Maddie enjoyed assisting classes and working the desk.
After high school, Maddie attended Gustavus Adolphus College, where she continued to dance. During college, Maddie was captain of the Gustavus Dance Team, studied under the Gustavus Dance Program, and founded and coached the local high school dance team.
Maddie loves having the opportunity to teach and inspire others through dance. She believes that the connections made at Metropolitan Dance Alliance are life-changing, and she is glad to have the chance to share those experiences with others. When Maddie isn’t working, she enjoys traveling, biking, and exploring the outdoors with her husband, Justin, son, Beckett and daughter, Callie.
Nicole Comstock
INSTRUCTOR
Nicole Comstock has been a part of the MDA family since she was a young girl. She is now married and the mother of two children: Kendra and Wyatt. Nicole's main profession is teaching preschool, but she finds enjoyment in teaching dance as well. In class Nicole likes to teach her students that with hard work and continued effort, all goals are accomplishable. Nicole's goal in every class is for each student to laugh and fall a bit more in love with dancing. When not in school or at the studio, Nicole enjoys spending time exploring with her kids.
Sarah Hellman
INSTRUCTOR
Sarah has been dancing since the age of 5. Taking classes in ballet, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and tap being her absolute favorite. She has been teaching as a professional tap instructor in the Twin Cities metro area since 2000. Since beginning her choreography career, she has earned choreography awards along with her dancers earning high point, overall and judges awards at numerous competitions locally and nationally.
Sarah continues to learn and expand her tap skills by taking classes from many renowned teachers, traveling to festivals, and taking classes geared towards how to teach technique to dancers. Sarah's favorite part about teaching is seeing that "ah-ha" moment of her dancers getting and being able to master a concept.
She currently resides in the Northwest metro suburbs and enjoys spending her spare time in coffee shops, reading, exploring small towns, cooking and spending time at the family cabin.
Lauren Kirkpatrick
INSTRUCTOR
Lauren’s love for dance began at the age of three when she started training at Dance Arts Centre before moving to Shari’s Dance Center, now Metropolitan Dance, where she primarily trained under Cathy Christenson. Over the years, Lauren developed her skills in jazz, lyrical, tap, ballet, and pointe, with a strong passion for ballet.
In high school, Lauren discovered her joy for teaching while working as an instructor assistant, guiding young dancers and nurturing their talent.
After graduating from Minnesota State University, Lauren pursued a career in marketing and has spent the last decade working with Life Time Inc., a company that inspires healthy and active lifestyles. Alongside her professional career, Lauren started a family, and in 2010, her daughters began dancing at Metropolitan Dance Alliance. This experience rekindled her passion for dance and teaching, reuniting her with former instructors and dance peers.
Since 2018, Lauren has been teaching and assisting at Metropolitan Dance Alliance. She finds immense fulfillment in sharing her love for dance, helping students develop both physical skills and creative expression. Watching dancers grow, make an effort, and enjoy their journey brings her constant joy.
When Lauren isn’t teaching, she enjoys spending time with her children and dog and staying active through exercise.
Ellie Carlson
INSTRUCTOR
I grew up dancing for 16 years at Metropolitan Dance Alliance, spending 14 of those years competing in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, contemporary, and musical theater. My love for ballet started at 8 under Cathy Christenson, and I began pointe at 12. One of my favorite memories growing up was performing in The Nutcracker Ballet. I also enjoyed attending conventions like Nuvo, Jump, and NYCDA, where I earned placements, titles, and scholarships, including summer scholarships from the Joffrey Ballet.
I’ve continued dancing at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, where I’ve trained under Carl Flink, Laura Osterhaus, and Penelope Freeh. I was also on the University of Minnesota Premier Dance Team and had the incredible experience of competing at NDA Nationals in Florida. I’ve worked with competitive dancers of all ages, teaching ballet, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, and ballet tech. I’ve taught ballet tech at Northland School of Dance and worked with the Shakopee and Chaska Dance Teams. My goal is to help dancers grow in both their technique and confidence while fostering a love for dance in all styles.
Macy Goerges
INSTRUCTOR
Macy grew up in Chaska, Minnesota and danced competitively for 15 years at Metropolitan Dance Alliance. Her summers growing up were primarily spent in Park Rapids, MN where she performed in many shows at her family owned theater, Jasper’s Theater. During her senior year, she enjoyed her time assisting with Fluid Dance Convention.
After graduating high school, Macy moved to Fargo, ND to attend NDSU majoring in Management Communication. Her passion for dance stayed fulfilled by teaching at Red River Dance and Performing Company as well as dancing on the Bison Dance Team. After graduating college, Macy expanded her time at the studio and became the Competition Director at Red River Dance from 2020-2021. In 2021, she started working full-time for midwest media company, You Betcha as Personal Assistant to CEO, Myles.
In 2023, Macy moved back to Minnesota and is thrilled to be teaching at her home studio. Nothing fills her cup more than teaching and mentoring the youth and nurturing the love of dance in all those she teaches!
Isabelle Pearson
INSTRUCTOR
Isabelle started dancing at MDA when she was four years old and her love for dance continued to grow as she grew up. Her favorite style has always been tap, but she’s been trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, and hip-hop too. When Isabelle was in high school, she enjoyed her time assisting the recreational classes with her dance teachers at the studio. Isabelle has always been passionate about teaching and connecting with kids. After high school, Isabelle attended college at the University of Minnesota Duluth and majored in Elementary and Special Education. At UMD, she joined Attitudes Dance Association, a dance club on campus, with her older sister. After graduating college, Isabelle pursued her dream of becoming an elementary school teacher and currently teaches 2nd grade. She’s so excited to be a part of the studio again working alongside some of her former dance teachers. Isabelle has enjoyed getting to know the younger dancers and sharing her love for dance. There is nothing better than seeing her students grow! When Isabelle isn't teaching, she enjoys spending time with her niece, Lucy, and going golfing with her fiancé, Jack.
Olivia Ostensen
INSTRUCTOR
Olivia Ostensen began her dance journey at the age of 3 at Metropolitan Dance Alliance, where she trained for 15 years in a variety of styles including ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, musical theatre, and hip hop. Throughout her competitive dance career, Olivia participated in numerous regional and national competitions and performed in the classical ballet The Nutcracker. During this time, she also discovered her passion for teaching and sharing her love of dance with young dancers.
At a young age, Olivia began assisting younger students at MDA, which sparked her love for teaching. After graduating from MDA at 18, Olivia transitioned into a full-time teaching role at the studio, specializing in tap and jazz. With award winning choreography which has been recognized at regional competitions, Olivia thrives on creating an inclusive and positive environment where students of all levels can grow, build confidence, and most importantly have fun. Her commitment to fostering a supportive atmosphere helps each dancer reach their full potential while enjoying the journey.
As a teacher, Olivia is dedicated to nurturing her students' creativity and ensuring they feel supported both as dancers and individuals. Her goal is to inspire each dancer to improve their technical abilities, discover their individuality, and embrace their unique artistic expression through dancing. Outside of the studio, Olivia enjoys spending time with her friends and family, as well as her two dogs. She feels incredibly grateful to share her passion for dance with the MDA community, creating lasting memories and inspiring the next generation of dancers.
WE CAN'T WAIT TO MEET YOUR DANCER
Over 50 Years of Dance Excellence
Each week, we welcome hundreds of students into our 8,000-square-foot facility in Shakopee. Metropolitan Dance Alliance is equipped with four professional-sized dance studios, marley floors, wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling mirrors, full viewing windows, and a family-friendly lounge area.
Metropolitan Dance Alliance is a place where kids come to be inspired, learn new skills, and grow more confident!
Every child deserves amazing dance training. Our approachable and welcoming instructors have an average tenure of over 15 years!
Our teachers are ready to welcome your child to Metropolitan Dance Alliance and support them as they work towards their goals.
SHAKOPEE'S BEST DANCE STUDIO
Metropolitan Dance Alliance Develops Confident, Well-Rounded Young Leaders
Metropolitan Dance Alliance offers dance classes that teach social skills and teamwork while giving kids an opportunity to explore their imagination.
MDA parents feel confident they are providing their child with a safe way to be creative, meet new friends, and stay active. We'd love to welcome your child into our supportive and enriching dance lessons in Shakopee!
Get In Touch
Phone: 952-445-2330 or 952-807-3533
Email: registration@mdadance.net
Address: 1159 Shakopee Town Square Shakopee, Minnesota 55379 view map
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 4:30 - 8:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
