Listed Alphabetically
Shannon Corbett - DancerShannon trained primarily at Ballet Arts Minnesota under the direction of Bonnie Mathis. She attended summer programs such as Milwaukee Ballet, Minnesota Ballet, Boston Ballet, Extreme Ballet at Kaatsbaan International Dance Center, and City Ballet of San Diego all on scholarship. Upon graduating from high school Ms. Corbett received a scholarship to attend Point Park College as a dance major. She later joined Ballet Arts Minnesota for their Springboard Apprentice Company for three years. Ms. Corbett began her professional career as a guest artist for Peoria Ballet and later spent seasons at Ohio Dance Theatre, Augusta Ballet, Artisan Dance, Northern Plains Ballet, Metropolitan Ballet and just completed her third season with Continental Ballet Company. She has been privileged to dance the principle role in Ron Cunningham's Incident at Blackbriar and Lucy in Northern Plains Ballet's Dracula. Shannon joined CCDE in 2012.
Amber Genetzky - Dancer, Choreographer
Amber received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Minnesota and attended Northwestern Health Sciences to obtain her Chiropractic Doctor degree. Amber is a practicing chiropractor. Amber danced professionally with Continental Ballet Company for nine years. Amber is an original company member of CCDE.
Ashley Grantin - Dancer
A native of Prairie du Sac, WI, Ashley has been dancing since she could walk. Ashley received a scholarship to study dance at the University of Arizona. While there, she performed in numerous Dance Department Showcases, was a Student Choreographer and also danced with the U of A Pomline. Ashley completed her studies at the University of Minnesota, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance in 2004. Ashley has danced professionally with Kanopy Dance Company, Jazzworks Dance Company, Brewers Diamond Dancers, Madison Contemporary Vision Dance Company and Continental Ballet Company. While Ashley loves to perform, her true passion for dance is teaching. She has over 10 years of teaching experience at various studios in Arizona, Chicago, and the Madison, WI area. In addition to teaching, Ashley also coached the University of Wisconsin Dance Team for two years. She now is the director of Ashley Ballet Arts Academy in Edina, MN. Ashley joined CCDE in 2012.
Laura Janson - Co-artistic Director, Dancer, Choreographer
Laura holds a BA in dance from the University of Minnesota. While in college, Laura was awarded an Undergraduate Research Opportunities Grant for choreography in conjunction with an internship with Shapiro and Smith Dance Company. As a professional, Laura has danced with Kats D and the Paneer Project, Saint Paul City Ballet and Continental Ballet Company. Laura and artistic partner Katherine Krieser began CCDE in January 2011. Laura's work of original choreography, I Find No Peace, was performed in CCDE's debut performance Ballet Amore and was reviewed as, "simply, one of the most beautiful pieces of choreography I have ever seen - it deserves a long and celebrated life."* - Ross Edwards. Laura is also a certified Yoga Instructor.
Casey Juul - Dancer
Originally from Minnesota, Casey began dancing professionally in 2010. His first performing opportunities began with the Metropolitan Ballet, where he started his training under Tatiana Berenova. He has also performed with Ballet Minnesota. Most recently he danced with Ohio Dance Theatre. Casey joined CCDE in 2012.
Katherine Krieser - Co-artistic Director, Dancer, Choreographer
Katherine began her ballet training in 1988 at Minnetonka Dance Theatre and School. In 2000 Katherine was invited to be a part of the Mid-States Regional Dance America (RDA) Honors Company. The Honors Company rehearsed at Interlochin Arts Academy in Michigan and performed at the 2001 International Ballet Competition in Jackson, MS. In 2002 Katherine’s choreography was chosen to be performed in Chicago, IL in the emerging choreographer’s show at the RDA Festival. Katherine attended training programs with American Ballet Theatre in California and New York where she worked with prestigious faculty including David Howard and Rebecca Wright. In 2005 Katherine attended the Washington School of Ballet in Washington, DC on full scholarship and performed George Balanchine’s Serenade and Septime Webre’s Nutcracker with the Washington Ballet Company. Katherine has danced with multiple professional ballet companies in the Twin Cities since 2004. Katherine and artistic partner Laura Janson began CCDE in January 2011. Katherine also holds a B.S. in Genetics and Biochemistry and a M.S. in Molecular Biosciences from the University of Minnesota.
Holly Kwitowski - Dancer
Holly began her training at the Bayfront Ballet and Lake Erie Ballet schools in her hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania. She went on to earn her B.A. in dance from Point Park University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Previously, Holly has danced professionally with the Illinois Ballet, Chicago Ballet, Continental Ballet, and Saint Paul City Ballet, performing a varied repertoire which includes works by notable Chicago choreographers, Winifred Haun and Brian Enos of Hubbard Street, Gregory Drotar’s Bolero, and soloist roles in classics such as Cupid in Don Quixote, and Prelude from Les Sylphides. Additionally, she has trained with the Nashville Ballet, Burklyn Ballet Theatre and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. In 2005, Holly performed in the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. Most recently, Holly has been seen performing with St. Paul City Ballet, Metropolitan Ballet, and Kari Jensen’s Moving Arts Ensemble, where she originated the signature role in A Single Thought Amplified. Holly joined CCDE in 2012. She would like to thank God, her husband Joshua, and her parents, whose encouragement, faith, and support has enabled her to be here today.
Jennifer Mack - Dancer
Jennifer originally trained at Rochester Ballet School and Janet Lang Dance Studio of Rochester, MN, but also spent summers at: Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Alvin Ailey, the Cunningham School, Steps and Broadway Dance Center of NYC. Previously, she danced 2 seasons with St. Paul City Ballet and 6 seasons with Continental Ballet. She has also performed in Montreal, Hungary, Ireland, and Minneapolis as a guest artist with: Debra Jinza-Thayer's Movement Architecture, Eclectic Edge Ensemble, Kari Jensen's Moving Arts Ensemble, Offleash Area's The Jury, Rainy Day Cabaret, Ray Terrill & Dancers, Rosy Simas Dance Project, Spandrel and Vox Medusa Dance Company. Jennifer's own choreography has been performed in Hungary, MN and WI. Jennifer has collaborated with local bands & musicians, 'Ada Jane' and Ben Siems. Along with fellow choreographer, Cheri Dostal, Jennifer was awarded a Cultural Arts Grant through Eau Claire, WI to co-produce and choreograph for 'Movement Arts Day' in June 2012. Jennifer graduated Magma Cum Laude with a B.A. in Dance Performance and a B.S. in Arts Management & International Business from UW-Stevens Point. Jennifer is also currently a member of the contemporary dance company, Alternative Motion Project and teaches at Janet Lang Dance Studio & The Dance Factory. Jennifer joined CCDE in 2012.
Annie Nimmo - Dancer
Growing up in Minneapolis, Annie trained at numerous Twin Cities dance schools and in high school found her home at Ballet Arts Minnesota. Her senior year in high school she joined the Springboard Dance Company and performed in various productions in the Twin Cities area. Annie has attended training programs with the American Ballet Theatre and Walnut Hill School for the Performing Arts. Annie went on to dance throughout college at UW-Madison and graduated with a BA in history. Last year she danced professionally with Madison Contemporary Vision Dance Company. Annie also teaches dance at Ashley Ballet Arts Academy. Annie joined CCDE in 2012.
Amy Pennaz - Dancer
Amy has been dancing professionally in the Twin Cities for 15 years and enjoys teaching ballet to youth and adults at local schools and community education. She recently participated in the 2009 Holland Dance Festival, and the 2010 Joinville Dance Festival in Brazil. Amy started her professional training in dance at the University of Minnesota with instructors Bonnie Mathis and Erin Thompson and the "Springboard" program with Ballet Arts Minnesota. Her professional career in dance began with apprenticing with the Colorado Ballet and she pursued additional training at summer workshops with Milwaukee Ballet, The Kirov Academy, Boston Ballet, and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. In Minnesota she has performed soloist roles in Loyce Houlton's Nutcracker Fantasy with Minnesota Dance Theatre since 2001, in productions with Metropolitan Ballet since 2003 and most recently in The Sleeping Beauty with Continental Ballet. In 2009 she performed the principal role of Carabosse in The Sleeping Beauty with First State Ballet Theatre of Delaware and Marie/Sugar Plum in The Nutcracker with Metropolitan Ballet. Amy also holds a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from St. Catherine's University. She currently works as a physical therapist in Wayzata with specialties in orthopedics and dance medicine. Amy is an original company member of CCDE.
Preston Stockert - Dancer, Choreographer
Preston is a student at the University of Minnesota pursuing his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance. He began dancing as a child recreationally, and eventually became an avid member of the competitive dance circuit. At the age of 18, he moved to Minneapolis to gain a stronger grasp on his art form. Since then he has worked with companies such as Haus of John-Mark and Continental Ballet Company and has worked with choreographers Makeda Thomas, Laura Janson, Katherine Krieser, and Matthew Janczewski. Preston is an original company member of CCDE.
Riley Thomas Weber - Dancer
Originally from Fargo, North Dakota, Riley received his primary ballet training under Marnee Brant at the Brant School of Dance Arts, and spent three years performing at Trollwood Performing Arts School where he studied ballet and musical theatre. He has performed in North Dakota, California, Florida, Chicago, and in the 2008 Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. Riley Moved to the Twin Cities in 2008 on a cello scholarship and is currently pursuing a double Bachelor's Degree in Dance and Music at the University of Minnesota. Riley teaches ballet at The Mankato Ballet Company and South Metro Dance Academy. Riley danced professionally with Ballet Minnesota for two seasons where he performed in Andrew Rist's Beethoven's 6th Symphony, Grieg's Piano Concerto in A Minor, The Classic Nutcracker and Don Quixote. Riley performed for Saint Paul City Ballet where he danced Raymonda and in works by Ted Sothern and Gregory Drotar. Riley is an original company member of CCDE.
Jacqueline Wille -Dancer, Choreographer
Jacqueline began her training in Des Moines, IA., under the direction of Konstantin and Irina Uralsky. While attending a summer intensive at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C., she was invited to attend the pre-professional program under Ludmila Morkovina, a graduate and professor of the Vaganova Ballet Academy. Upon graduation, Jacqueline danced with Omaha Theater Ballet and as a guest performer for Central Dance Theater and Iowa Dance Theater. Jacqueline then put her dancing career on hold to attend college. She relocated to Chicago where she received a degree in Marketing with an Art minor from Roosevelt University. While attending college, Jacqueline was on faculty at several dance studios: including Salt Creek Ballet and the Beverly Arts Center. After graduation she returned to dancing and has since danced with several companies: Schaumburg Dance Ensemble, Ballet Theater of Maryland, Saint Paul City Ballet and Metropolitan Ballet. Jacqueline joined CCDE in 2012. She continues to teach in the Twin Cities along with quest teaching at her hometown studios.
Joe Bueno - DancerJoe is currently working towards his BFA in Dance from the University of Minnesota. He has studied with Laurie Carlos and Maggie Bergeron, and has furthered his training by participating in Shapiro and Smith Dance 2011 Summer Intensive. Joe also has experience in circus arts and acrobatics. Joe performed with CCDE in Ballet Amore.
Shane Tice - Dancer
Biography unavailable
Yuki Tokuda - DancerYuki is originally from Japan, she moved to the United States in 2000 to complete her training and to pursue a professional career in ballet. Yuki trained at the prestigious Joffrey Ballet School in New York and with internationally acclaimed master teachers at Steps on Broadway. She also spent summers studying at the Boston Ballet and the Connecticut Ballet. Yuki has danced professionally with the Metropolitan Ballet, Peoria Ballet and USA Ballet. She has performed the roles of Lucile Grahn in Pas de Quatre, The Peasant Pas de Duex in Giselle, Princess Aurora, Lilac Fairy and Princess Florine in Sleeping Beauty and the Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara in The Nutcracker. She is also a certified STOTT Pilates teacher. Yuki just finished her second year as a principal dancer with Continental ballet in Bloomington, MN. Yuki performed with CCDE in Ballet Amore.
