STAFF

Amber Keeley Owner and Artistic Director

Amber has been a passionate ballet teacher and choreographer in the Twin Cities since 1993. Her performing career includes St. Paul, Minneapolis and national dance companies such as Pacific Northwest Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Ballet Arts MN, Minnesota Dance Theatre, Minnesota Ballet Academy, and Out on a Limb Dance Company. In addition, she has worked with the Moscow Ballet and has taught ballet in Tokyo, Japan. Amber was School Director of Out on a Limb from 2001-2020. She is a ballet coach for state and national award-winning high school and collegiate dance teams and has been Totino Grace E’gals ballet technique coach for over a decade. Currently, Amber proudly serves as Board Member for the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (SPCPA) and loves to support Stages Theatre Company.

Bringing people together and helping kids find their confidence so they can realize their full potential as people and performers is Amber’s gift. She also loves creativity in storytelling and good technique. :)

Owner, Artistic Director

Whitley Dahlhauser, a Minnesota native, began dancing at the age of 3 and has trained at highly appraised competitive and classical dance schools. She attended Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, training in numerous classical, contemporary, and global styles of dance. After graduation, Whitley joined Crash Dance Productions, a conceptual contemporary dance company based in Minneapolis, MN, as a company member. She has since performed in numerous shows, dance festivals, music videos, and events around the Twin Cities, such as the Superbowl LII halftime show and the Cowles Center Fall 2019 Season. In addition to continuing to train and perform, Whitley is also instructing full time, coaching Lakeville South varsity dance team, instructing intensives and master classes, and choreographing throughout Minnesota. 

Malia Craft is from Hartwell, Georgia and began her training at Hot Shots Dance Company, where she trained in ballet, modern, contemporary, hip hop, and jazz and found her love for performing, as well as teaching. Malia attended the University of Georgia and received a Bachelor of Arts in Dance, with a minor in exercise and sports science, and a certificate in K-12 dance education. Malia was also a part of the Georgette’s Dance Team for three years. She is currently an artist with Threads Dance Project. Aside from training and performing,

Malia has a love of working with dancers and has taught, as well as choreographed, for several studios and high school dance teams throughout North Georgia. Malia is very excited to be a part of Spring Dance and Theatre Academy!

Averie Mitchell-Brown is a University of Minnesota - Twin Cities graduate aspiring to touch as many lives as possible with her love, light, and talent. As a multidisciplinary artist she has worked with well known Midwest artists like Al TAW’AM - The Twins as a crew member for Best Ensemble Sage Award winning group S.H.E - She Who Holds Everything. As well as Kenna Cottman in Voice of Culture drum and Dance company, Aneka McMullen in Epitome No Question, Bboy J-Sun, Leah Nelson, and many more. “Working with other dancers of different styles helped her improve as a dancer holistically and helped her become more knowledgeable about the origins of the dancing community here in the twin cities. She lives her life as a professional freelance dancer when not dancing, she is touching the lives of many as a dance instructor and traveling the world with loved ones.

Lily Conforti is a performer, choreographer, and dance teacher from the Twin Cities. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with degrees in dance and physiology in May 2021. She is interested in articulation of movement with music, and creating multimedia dance works that are new and exciting for audience members. Lily is the founder and choreographer for Corpus Dance Works. She started the group in 2019 and they have performed locally and nationally since then; creating works that combine dance and other artistic genres. Along with her own dance choreographies, Lily has performed in work by Kjara Wurst, Gallim Dance, Honey Works Dance, Black Label Movement, Alternative Motion Project, Threads Dance Project, and many other local dance artists. She has been teaching Contemporary, Jazz, Musical Theater, Partnering, Ballroom, and Ballet for 6 years, and enjoys sharing her love for dance with all her students. 

Maesi Caes is a professional dancer and Hall of Fame inductee at the age of 10. She has won two Grand National Championships and several other dance competitions. In 2017 Maesi appeared in the 7th season of the reality television series Dance Moms (2011). She also appeared in America's Got Talent (2006) & Little Big Shots (2016). She performed on stage with Justin Bieber on his Purpose tour in 2016.

Acro and Private Lesson Instructor

Sayer Keeley has been a storyteller since he learned that he could be the one telling the story, leading to his passion for theatre and writing. Sayer has been dancing on stage since he was three, and has been in 20 shows since his debut to theatre in sixth grade, some of his more recent credits being Tuck Everlasting (Jesse U/S), Elf Jr. (Buddy), and You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Charlie Brown) at Stages Theatre Company, and Urinetown (Caldwell B. Cladwell) and Little Shop of Horrors (Mr. Mushnik) at the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (SPCPA). The soon-to-be high school graduate plans on attending Hamline University this fall with a major in English Education, in hopes of one day teaching high schoolers and running the school theatre department. He dreams of one day publishing his writing for others to enjoy.

Instructor, Musical Director

Rachel Doran is an eclectic dance educator, serving the next generation of dance artists with the philosophy that, with opportunity and intention, anyone can dance about anything. After over a decades worth of nation-spanning freelance choreography and instruction, she now focuses her creative efforts in the Twin Cities. Rachel is co-director of Crash Dance Productions, a contemporary dance company, and is assistant coach of the Totino-Grace Egals dance team. 

Abby King is a diversified performing artist, choreographer, and dance instructor based in the Twin Cities. She grew up dancing competitively while training in a variety of different styles at her local dance studio, Metro Dance Center. Abby graduated from Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists in 2021, where she had further exposure to modern, classical, and global forms of performance dance. Abby is now a member of Crash Dance Productions, a conceptual contemporary dance company based in Minneapolis. She also dances professionally with Kaleena Miller Dance, an artistic collection of tap dance and sound-focused work. In addition to her dancing and teaching, Abby has a love for fashion. She currrently studies apparel technologies at Minneapolis College, gaining knowledge in garment construction and design. Abby continues to perform in numerous projects all over the metropolitan area. She loves to share her passion for dance and prides herself in teaching the importance of authenticity, discovery, and perseverance.

Calla McDermott is super excited to be a part of the Spring Staff! They have been dancing and playing music since they were 7. Their favorite dance styles are contemporary and jazz. They also play bass, keys and sing. Teaching both music and dance is their favorite way to inspire kids to be passionate about both art forms!

Taylor Venancio is from Minnesota and grew up training at Woodbury Dance Center, where she trained in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary and lyrical. There she found her love for dance and teaching the next generation of dancers. Taylor is now a member of Crash Dance Productions, a conceptual contemporary dance company based in Minneapolis. She has since performed in many shows and dance festivals around the twin cities. As well as performing as a dancer herself she also teaches full time at her home studio, Woodbury Dance Center. She loves to help other dancers grow in their love for dance and believes in the importance of showing every dancer they are capable of thriving in their own dance journey.

Heather Brockman has been dancing since the sweet age of seven. Originally from Colorado, she is a graduate of Macalester College. Heather had the privilege of studying, dancing and performing with the Ballet of the Dolls company for nearly 20 years and most currently with Collide Theatrical and Out On a Limb Dance Company. Heather loves sharing the stage and the classroom with so many young and talented performers. As always, she thanks her husband John and her girl gang for their constant love and support.

Delaina Thill

Instructor, Action Performance Principal Company Member

Shelby Keeley has been training and performing for over 10 years, bringing to the stage characters such as Michael in Peter Pan, Molly in Annie and Mowgli in The Jungle Book. She has done commercial and video work as well and loves creating at Spring …. She is delighted to teach our tiniest sprouts the joy of dance and discovering how beautiful the world can be.

Instructor, Action Performance Principal Company Member

Noah Coon graduated from the Chicago College of Performing Arts with a BFA in musical theater and an emphasis in dance. He has studied dance under the mentorship of Jane Lanier, Jumanne Taylor, Sarah Reich, Tammy Mader, Cathy Wind, and Ellen Keane and is currently teaching dance and choreographing across the greater twin cities area.

Noah has been a company member in Stone Soup Rhythms at the American Rhythm Center, the Ballet Arts Youth Ensemble, Keane Sense of Rhythm’s Youth Tap Ensemble, and Elite Tap Feet.  Noah was recently seen in the Twin Cities dancing in Michael Heitzman and Jared Grimes’ production of 42nd Street at the Ordway and will appear in their production of Beauty and the Beast this winter.

When not dancing Noah can be found singing, acting, working on film projects, and playing yo-yo. He has performed with the Guthrie Theater, Park Square Theatre, Children’s Theatre Company, Old Log Theater, History Theater, Porchlight Music Theatre, the Chicago Fringe Opera, and toured nationally with Troupe America. 

Born and raised in Minneapolis, Jeff Robinson attended University of Minnesota for his BFA in Dance. He has danced with companies such as Threads Dance Project and Collide Theatrical before moving to New York to dance for Ailey 2 of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. 

Mr. Robinson helped create Spring Dance and Theatre Academy’s first-ever production, Cinderella ~ A Queen’s Tale. We love him to the ends of the Earth!

Chris Wendorff began his dance training at the age of 9. Throughout his younger years, he was a competitive dancer and attended many competitions and conventions throughout the United States. While competing, he was awarded many awards and scholarships. Chris continued his dance training while attending the prestigious Point Park University and received a BFA in Dance. While at Point Park, he continued learning and training in styles such as Bob Fosse, commercial jazz, ballet, modern and contemporary techniques.

Chris has worked for Walt Disney World as a parade and stage performer. He has also been seen working as a professional dancer on cruise ships, most notably, would be Regent Seven Seas and Carnival Cruise Line. Chris has taught many master classes and conventions throughout the United States and in the United Kingdom. He is currently a sought after dancer, guest teacher, choreographer, and adjudicator. He currently works for numerous dance competitions/ conventions most notably would Platinum National Dance Competition, Fusion National Dance Competition, Fly Dance Competition, and Beyond The Stars. He has recently choreographed a contemporary jazz piece for Zenon Dance Company’s pre-professional program. He all so had the opportunity to guest teach out in Las Vegas, NV at The Theater Arts Preparatory School located at the Rock School of Dance. Chris plans on continuing to expand his knowledge and experiences of the dance world by pursing a MFA in Dance in the near future. He is very excited to continue to be a part of the dance universe and cannot wait to see where this journey will take him next.

Mykala Micek grew up in the dance studio, and has been choreographing and teaching for over 15 years in the Twin Cities metro area. She holds workshops and choreographs for studios and high schools throughout the midwest, with a focus on contemporary movement. Mykala has masters degrees in Counseling and Human Development, and she especially enjoys integrating body awareness and other tools for personal development into her studio work. Mykala's students and choreography have won many top awards at regional and national competitions, but more than anything, she loves seeing young dancers stretch their own boundaries to become empowered, confident storytellers—because the stories we tell are what connect us to others and create real change in the world.

Kerry Parker

Ballet and Gyrokinesis

GYROKINESIS is a movement system based on spinal motions, spirals and breath work and more! We will sequence through standing, seated and floor work. This class is for all bodies and will rejuvenate as well as strengthen.
gyrotonic.com

Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, David Prottas began acting and dancing as a child, eventually leaving home at fourteen to train at Toronto's world-renowned National Ballet School. It was there that David worked closely with Danish ballerina, Sorella Englund known for her work in dramatic and expressive ballet, reaffirming David's passion for both the technical and theatrical aspects of dance. After graduating with the Christopher Ondaatje Ballet Prize, David joined the New York City Ballet, where he spent ten years dancing a wide range of repertoire. In 2016 David left the company to pursue theater full-time, training at the Actor's Foundary in Vancouver with Matthew Harrison. In 2018, David made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award Winning revival of "Carousel" directed by Jack O'Brien. His other notable theater credits include The 1st National Tour of  "An American in Paris " in which he played both Adam Hochberg and Jerry Mulligan throughout the run and "Marie: Dancing Still" directed by Susan Stroman at the 5th Avenue Theater.  In the fall of 2019 David starred in new adaption of Igor Stravinsky's "The Soldier's Tale" written by Pulitzer Prize winning writer Mark Cambell with direction and choreography by Joshua Bergasse. David can be seen in the upcoming short film "Tell Me A Story" directed by Liam Armstrong. David is a guest teacher throughout the country,  focussing on expressive dance and theater.

Guest Ballet Instructor 

Barry Busby is a Texas native, graduate from the University of Oklahoma, and has lived in NYC for 11+ years where he just recently closed the 11-time Tony nominated production of Tootsie. He has been the Associate choreographer to Denis Jones for over 8 years and together they have collaborated on Broadway, all over the country, and internationally on over 40+ productions. His Broadway credits include: Honeymoon in Vegas, Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn, Sunset Boulevard starring Glenn Close, and Tootsie. Regionally he has worked at some of North America‘s most prominent theatres including: The MUNY, Goodspeed, Papermill Playhouse, The Kennedy Center, Dallas Theatre Center, TUTS, The Alley Theatre,and Williamstown Theatre Festival. In 2014 and ‘16 he was featured on the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and most recently in the 73rd annual Tony Awards hosted by James Corden! When his schedule allows, Barry travels the world teaching master classes to the next generation of musical theatre hopefuls.

Guest Musical Theatre Instructor

Leslie Donna Flesner has been featured in eight Broadway shows including Tootsie, Hello, Dolly starring Bette Midler, An American in Paris, Honeymoon in Vegas, Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, Chaplin, Follies starring Bernadette Peters and Finian's Rainbow. New York City Center Encores credits include Mack and Mabel, Call Me Madam, Fanny, and Finian's Rainbow. She has performed in regional theaters across the country including the Kennedy Center, Ahmanson Theater,  Goodman Theater, MUNY, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, North Shore Music Theater, and many others. She can be seen on television in The Knick and Boardwalk Empire. Leslie is a proud graduate of the musical theater program at Florida State University.

Guest Musical Theatre and Ballet Instructor