Dance: A Small World with Big Heart

At The Dancing House, we often say our studio is "the highlight of your week"—but it's more than just a tagline. It reflects the tight-knit, supportive, and inspiring community that defines the dance world.

If you’ve danced long enough, you’ve experienced it: bumping into someone at an audition you once danced beside in a summer intensive, reconnecting with a choreographer from college, or finding out your dance friend is now your student’s teacher. The dance world is small. But that’s part of what makes it magical.

The closeness of our community is a gift. We support each other, lift each other up, and collaborate to make beautiful things happen. But it’s also a reminder: how we show up matters. At The Dancing House, our mission is not just about great dance technique—it’s about developing kind, confident, and life-ready humans. We live and teach our values of:

• Kindness
  
  
• Creativity
  
  
• Empathy
  
  
• Integrity
  
  
• Trust
  
  
• Fun
  
  
• Excellence
  
  
• Community
  
  

And nothing showcases those values more than this month’s production of Cinderella at the Phipps Center for the Arts, where Ms Melissa is dancing the role of the Stepmother. What makes this production so special isn’t just the story—it’s the people.

Dancers from across the region and beyond have come together to share the stage—from Minnesota to California, from nearby studios to The Dancing House itself. It’s a beautiful reminder that dance connects us, no matter where we come from.

Here are just a few of the talented cast members:

Featured Cast

Emily Trapnell (Cinderella)
A graduate with honors from the University of Iowa BFA Dance program, Emily is a company artist with James Sewell Ballet and guest artist with Collide Theatrical Dance Company.She’s also performed with Inaside Chicago Dance, Visceral Dance Chicago, and the Minnesota Opera.

Kenny Bieschke (Prince)
A Twin Cities-based professional dancer entering his first season with Collide Theatrical, Kenny trained at Ballet Co. Laboratory in St. Pauland grew up at Judith Svalander’s School of Ballet in Illinois.

Jade Janikula (Fairy Godmother)
Currently dancing with the Sacramento Ballet Second Company, Jade trained at Short Dance Studios and Ballet Royale Minnesota, with summer intensives at Houston Ballet, ABT, and Joffrey Ballet School.

Sam Suro (Jester/Dance Master)
Dancing since age four, Sam is a student at St. Olaf College, class of ’28, majoring in Dance and Economics with an emphasis on finance.

Melissa Rose (Stepmother)
With a BFA in Musical Theatre from UW–Stevens Point and over 30 years as a dance educator, Miss Melissa is thrilled to return to the stage. She is the owner of The Dancing House in Hudson, WI, where she fosters a supportive, community-first studio culture.

Lily Callander (Stepsister)
An alum of the Phipps Dance Company and the UW–River Falls Dance Theatre program, Lily has taught and choreographed at The Phipps, UWRF, andThe Dancing House.

Madison Lawrence (Stepsister)
A versatile dancer and instructor, Madison trained at St. Croix Valley Dance Academy and Momentum Dance Project. She teaches at The Phipps and has performed in theatrical productions across the region.

Abby Heunink (Spring Fairy/Ball Scene Waltz)
A former member of the Phipps Junior and Senior Dance Companies, Abby now teaches at The Phipps and studies speech-language pathology at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

Emma Knospe (Winter Fairy/Ball Scene Waltz)
Emma has performed in 9 to 5 and White Christmas at The Phipps and teaches kindergarten in River Falls. She brings her love of dance into her school productions.

Jordana Iverson (Summer Fairy/Ball Scene Waltz)
With 16 years of dance experience, Jordana is just beginning her teaching journey and is excited about a future in dance education.

Julia Olsem (Fall Fairy/Ball Scene Waltz)
A TDH alum, Julia holds a BS in Dance and Marketing from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She’s danced professionally in D.C. and continues to choreograph and teach throughout the Twin Cities.

These are just a handful of the incredible artists in Cinderella. Each dancer brings their own story, training, and passion to the stage—and it’s that shared commitment that makes the dance community so powerful.

🎟️ Want to see the magic in motion?
Cinderella is running now through August 3 at the Phipps Center for the Arts. Don’t miss it!

Whether you're a dancer, a parent, or just someone who loves the arts, we invite you to be part of our community. At The Dancing House, it's not about competition—it’s about complimenting one another. It’s about connection. It’s about community.

❤️ Want to learn more about our classes and values? Visit us at www.thedancinghouse.com