Our Staff
	Rebecca Gladhill Rebecca began dancing at the age of 5 and continued dance education through college. She was employed with Art Linkletter Dance Studio in Phoenix, Arizona before moving to Minnesota in 1977. In 1979 Rebecca created the New Prague Dance Co. with an enrollment of 80 students. The New Prague Dance Co. is proud of the hundreds of dancers who’ve received dance instruction over the years. Besides managing the studio, Rebecca has choreographed over 20 musicals in the area and directed several productions for various churches and community functions. She is also a certified fitness instructor. Rebecca taught the majority of the classes at the New Prague Dance Co. until 1994 when she was diagnosed with cancer. Health issues prompted hiring qualified instructors to handle more teaching responsibilities. As the years have progressed, the business details are a full time job, but Rebecca still loves to teach dance classes. This year she is teaching eight classes a week. I especially love teaching ballet technique and find it’s crucial for students who want to get serious about dance. Rebecca is married to Phil and lives in Shakopee. Together they have three grown children and seven grandchildren. I’m thankful for the opportunity to have a career I love and for the support and loyalty of the New Prague Community over the last 30 years. My hope is the studio will continue to grow and serve the community for many years to come."
	Krista Vanderveren Krista Vanderveren is a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin River Falls. She majored in Exercise and Sports Science with a minor in Dance Education. She has been involved with dance for over 20 year and has taught dance for 4 years in both a private studio and public high school settings. She danced at Monique's School of Dance for 8 years and Pat Peare's School of Dance for 6 years competitively. She has been trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, baton, pom and dance line. While she was in high school she was a member of the AVaires Dance Team and was also a member of the Advanced Dance Company at Apple Valley High School. Being in that company she had the opportunity to perform at the National High School Dance Festival, Zenon Dance Company performances and The Bloomington Center for the Arts. While in college Krista was a member of the UW-River Falls Falcon Dance Team and Dance Theatre program. Krista has previously coached the dance teams at Hudson High School and Lakeville South. Krista is a certified United Performing Association Nationals judge as well as a Wisconsin Cheer and Pom Association Judge. She is very excited to be working with the students, staff and families of the New Prague Dance Company this year!
	Kaitlyn O'Neill Kaitlyn is sixteen years old and has been dancing at New Prague Dance Company for nearly 13 years. She has danced with the “Diamonds” competition group for several years and loves to perform and compete. She is accomplished in tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop and Pointe. Kaitlyn assisted with classes the past two years and will now be teaching a variety of classes during the 2008-09 school year. Kailtyn was the featured model on the cover of Kelle` Company Costume catalog this past spring and continues to model for Kelle` Company. Her hobbies include hanging out with friends, babysitting, going to sporting events, modeling and of course relaxing in between a very busy schedule.
	Kristine Brockhoff Kristine Brockhoff (Miss Kris) lives in New Prague with her husband, Tim and 2 sons, Riley and Teagan. She has been teaching tap, jazz, ballet and Pointe the past 13 years for the New Prague Dance Company. Kris received training from the New Prague Dance Company as a young dancer and went on to continue her dance training at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point. She took classes in dance composition, dance history and improvisation as well as ballet, tap, jazz and modern. Kris teaches the majority of classes at the New Prague Dance Company. Many which have won numerous awards in regional and state competitions. She is proficient in technique and teaching proper terminology. Kris continues dance education by attending dance workshops in the Minneapolis area. All of Kris’ dancers appreciate her talent, skill and ability to keep routines and choreography exciting and fresh!
	Angela Charnstrom Angela Charnstrom lives in New Prague with her husband, Allen, and two children. Angela began her dance instruction with Brenda’s School of Dance in Farmington, Minnesota, at three years of age. Early dance focus included classes in tap, ballet and jazz. Throughout high school Angela competed in high-kick/jazz funk for the Farmington High School dance team. Angela graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College, where she danced on the Gustavus Dance Team and also obtained a minor in dance, where courses of study included ballet and modern dance classes, choreography and dance history. Angela is very excited to begin teaching the high-kick/jazz funk dance class at New Prague Dance Company for the 2010-2011 school year!
	Barbara Nyreen Barbara Nyreen lives in New Prague with her husband Kris and three children, Jake, Callie and Isabella. As a young dancer, Barbara took many classes her 11 years at New Prague Dance Company. She has been trained under Miss Rebecca in tap, ballet and jazz. After high school, she attended Alexandria Technical College and received a degree in Communication Art and Design. While in Alexandria, she taught private tap lessons and was captain of the Alexandria Tech Danceline Team. In the years 2000-2004, Barbara taught tap and Jazz dance classes and beginner classes for New Prague Dance Company. Now, she is currently enrolled in an advanced adult dance class at New Prague Dance Company and substitute teaches for current teachers on staff. In her spare time, Barbara likes to spend time with her family, bake goodies, quilt and sew hand bags.
	Amy Ausen Amy Ausen is fifteen years old and is a freshman at New Prague High School. She has been dancing for eight years. She started dancing at Center Stage Dance Studio in Savage at the age of seven; taking tap, jazz and ballet. She joined the New Prague Dance Company at eleven years old. She has been in competitive dance for three years, and is in the "Diamonds" competition group, and loves to compete and perform at the recitals. She has experience in tap, ballet/lyrical, jazz and pointe. Amy is also a member of the New Prague High School Dance Team. Amy will be teaching the Jazz/Hip Hop classes with her sister, Maria Ausen. It is her first year of teaching classes, which she is looking forward to! Amy's other interests include enjoying time with her friends and family, swimming, traveling, and going to movies.
	Maria Ausen Maria Ausen is eighteen years old and is a senior at New Prague High School. She has been dancing for eight years, and is currently in the "Starz" competition group, and lovers performing! She has experience in tap, jazz, ballet/lyrical and hip hop. Maria is a also a member of the New Prague High School Dance Team It is Maria's first year of teaching classes, and she will be co-teaching the Jazz/Hip Hop classes with her sister, Amy Ausen, and can't wait to start! Maria's hobbies include spending time with friends and family, playing guitar, and performing at basketball games and competitions with the dance team.

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