Jackie Pederson-Kriens, FCCA (Passed the teachers professional advanced exam certified fellow member of CCA) is  co-owner & instructor for ballet, pointe, jazz, liturgical dance, & Pilates.  She was trained under Carolyn Westphal at the South Dakota School of Ballet.  Her most recent instruction was from Gus Giordano (IL), Ballet Magnificat! (MS) & the Cecchetti Council of America (CCA) in Michigan.  Jackie's professional teacher's certification training was under the instruction of Gail Choate-Pettit, Marjorie Randazzo, and Dawn Greene  (Detroit, MI area).  Jackie coaches teachers in the  Cecchetti method of ballet through Advanced Professional certification, and is the past chairperson of the Northern Plains Committee for the Cecchetti Council of America.

Jackie has a B.A. degree in Elementary & Special Education from Augustana College, and taught in the South Dakota public school system for 10 years.  She also instructed and choreographed different forms of dance in the Sioux Falls area for over 15 years.   She has choreographed for high school dance teams, theater groups, liturgical dance groups, and color guards in SD, MN, IA, IL, MI & WA.  In addition, Jackie has taught for the CCA Southwest (Texas) seminar workshop, and the CCA Northern Plains seminar workshop.

Jackie is best known in this region for her work with liturgical dance.  Her most recent experience was lecturing and demonstrating liturgical dance for the Central Southern Illinois Synod Assembly for the E.L.C.A. and Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI for the Reformed Church of America.

Jackie traveled to Chichester, England studying the Enrico Cecchetti Diploma work with many reputable teachers during August of 2004.   During summer 2005 she studied at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, continuing the study of the Cecchetti work with Diane VanSchoor of the Royal Ballet of London (White Lodge), and Jackie's latest training has been with Cara Drower at the London Studio Centre during January 2007 to study the Enrico Cecchetti Diploma.

Rebecca Hansen is co-owner of Dance Gallery, as well as an instructor of ballet, jazz, tap, Pilates and social and ballroom.  Her dance study began with Judith Szakats, a  prima ballerina of the Opera House in Budapest, Hungary.  Rebecca continued intensive studies at American Ballet Theater in New York, Royal Academy of Dance in London, England, University of South Dakota in Vermillion, Royal Winnipeg in Canada, and the Bolshoi of Moscow in Chicago, Illinois.  Becky's most recent instruction was from Gus Giordano Dance Studio in Evanston, IL where she studied jazz, tap, and ballet.

Opting to teach rather than dance as a professional, Rebecca has devoted her talents in maintaining a professional level of dance in her 25 years of teaching and choreographing while remaining an active dancer for over 40 years. 

In addition to her many years of experience, Becky has been invited numerous times to choreograph for school dance, theater and music programs throughout South Dakota, as well as for home school dance programs.

Rebecca has served on the boards of both Civic Dance Association and SD Dance Network.   She currently serves as the active chairperson for South Dakota Dance Network, in which she organizes the annual dance workshop for the state of South Dakota.   Rebecca is a member of the Cecchetti Council of America, and has completed her Grade V  teachers exam. 

Ms. Amy trained with Martha Peterson and Carolyn Westphal in Sioux Falls.  She continued her study of ballet at the Boston Ballet School, Terry Shields in Cambridge, MA, and studied modern with Julie Ince-Thompson.  Amy has been active for years in developing worship dance ministry in the Sioux Falls area.  Amy has also taught for the Northern Plain CCA seminar.  Amy will be teaching pointe, liturgical dance, ballet and Pilates.  In addition, Amy will be coordinating the schedule for our outreach liturgical dance group, "Faith in Motion."  In addition, Amy will be helping with administrative duties in the office.  Amy is a member of the CCA, and is working on the Cecchetti Grade V teacher's exam.

Ms. Tara holds a M.S.P.E. in dance pedagogy from the University of Idaho.  Although jazz is her first love, Tara has taught ballet, modern, tap, &  ballroom.   She performed with Bill Evans in the Dance/USA Millennium Project, and has choreographed various dance and theatre productions.  Tara has taught at the University of Idaho, St Mary's University of Minnesota, Winona State University, and the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts.  She recently published a paper entitled "Goal Setting in the Dance Studio" in the Idaho Journal of Physical Education, Rec., and Dance.  She was also named the National Dance Association Outstanding Graduate Student for her teaching and research endeavors while at the University of Idaho.  Tara is a memeber of the Cecchetti Council of America, and is working towards her Grade IV teacher's exam.

Ms. Jessica A. will be teaching hip hop, modern, ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and competive dance (Dance Gallery Productions).  She currently holds a B.F.A. in Modern Dance Pedagogy, and an A.A.S. in Business Management from the University of Oklahoma.  Ms. Jessica was a member of the Modern Repertory Dance Theatre  for three years, and performed in the annual showcases, lecture demonstrations, and the Kansas Dance Festival.  In addition, Ms. Jessica was a dancer/choreographer for the Belleforte Dance Complany.   Ms. Jessica teaching credentials include placement on faculty with F.G.I School of Dance for five years instructing ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, point, Cecchetti, hip hop, and modern dance.  She has also traveled the midwest serving as guest faculty for schools and workshops.  Along with serving on faculty with Dance Gallery, Ms. Jessica will also develop competitive dance teams at Dance Gallery.  Jessica is working on her Gr. VII exam for the Cecchetti method.

Ms. Robyn  teaches tap, jazz, ballet, liturgical and Broadway.  She was trained from the  Forney-Cronin Dance Studio in Pierre, SD.  She continued dance through college and beyond, concentrating on her skills as a choreographer in the theater, school, and church settings.  Robyn teaches dance residencies endorsed by the South Dakota Arts Council as a part of the state-wide Artist in Schools and Communities program.  She has taught for the Northern Plains CCA seminar, SD Dance Network, and teaches inservices on dance/movement to educators across the state.  Along with dance, Robyn has professional experience choreographing, directing and performing in musical theater throughout the Midwest.   Robyn holds a B.M. in music education from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, and a M.A. Ed. from Augustana College.  Robyn is also working on her Gr. III teachers exam.

Ms. Nancy will be teaching Cecchetti ballet syllabus, adult ballet, and yoga class this year.  Nancy trained in Sioux Falls with Judith Szakats and Carolyn Westphal.  She also studied in Champaign, IL and Minnesota  Dance Theater.   Nancy is an ordained Lutheran pastor that loves dance and choreography.  Nancy is a member of the CCA, and is working towards her Grade VI teacher's exam.  Ms. Nancy also received her certification in Yoga, passing her 200 hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training.

Ms. Shannon will teach the homeschool ballet program, and other young children's classes.  She began her dance training in ballet, tap, and jazz in Scottsdale, Arizona at the age of thirteen, and quickly entered into the competition dance circuit, competing all around the U.S.A. She has taught ballet, tap and jazz for Diversified Dance Centre (AZ), Tempe Dance Academy (AZ), and Jeanne Wright School of Dance (AZ). She has recently returned to dancing after a twelve year hiatus and is thrilled to be working toward taking her Cechetti Grade I teacher’s exam. Outside of dance, she enjoys being a wife and home schooling mother of four children.  Shannon just completed her Grade II teacher's exam, and is now working on the Grade III exam for the Cecchetti method.

Ms. Jessica W. was trained  at Dance Gallery, and has excelled quickly through the many levels of ballet.  Recently, Jessica enrolled in a month long study of ballet and liturgical dance with Ballet Magnificat! in Jackson, MS.  She also continued her teaching studies in Alabama.  Jessica will be joining the staff to teach junior liturgical dance.  Jessica is currently working on her Gr. III teachers exam. 

Ms. Linda will be teaching Pre Jazz, and Creative Movement.  Ms. Linda was trained in the student Cecchetti method under Johnny Cavelle, Vicki Stuchl, and Linda Carrillo of Aberdeen, SD.  Linda will be continuing her teaching training under Jackie Pederson-Kriens of Dance Gallery, and is now working on her Gr. II teacher's exam.

Ms. Meghan's bio is coming soon!!

Ms. Amanda's bio is coming soon!!

Other Staff at Dance Gallery

Ms. Megan  After seven years of training with Music in Motion in Sioux Falls, Megan went to the University of Iowa in Iowa City to pursue a dance degree.  Although her major changed over time, she did have the wonderful opportunity to study  modern dance with Armando Duarte, ballet with Linda Crist, and pointe classes with Francoise Martinet.  She continues her love for dance by substitue teaching at Dance Gallery.

Ms. Laurie teaches tap at Dance Gallery.  She began her training with Mrs. Bright and Margaret Alcorn, and later studied with Hazel Berg.  To further her training, Laurie traveled to Chicago and New York where she studied with jazz legend, Luigi.  Laurie danced professionally with Aqua Follies in Minneapolis, Seattle, and Detroit.  Laurie has been teaching in Sioux Falls for the past 24 years.

Ms. Libby is the rehearsal accompaniest for our Grade IV, V, VI Cecchetti classes, and Russian classes.  Miss Libby received her training at Gustavus Adolphus College located in St. Peter, MN.  She received her BA in K-12 Vocal Music Ed in 1986.  Miss Libby taught elementary music in New London, MN for 5 years prior to making the move to Sioux Falls.  In 1991, she began teaching 6-12 vocal music at Sioux Falls Christian HS, and is currently in her 3rd year of teaching 6-12 vocal music and music appreciation in Harrisburg, SD.  She comes to Dance Gallery with 30 years of piano experience.  Along with her skills as an accomplished pianist, Libby and her family (including her husband, Jeff) are all involved with dance at the studio.  Libby, Jeff, and their four daughters have all participated in Dance Gallery productions of the "Nutcracker" and "Peter and the Wolf."

Ms. Joyce  is  Dance Gallery's office manager.  If you have any questions concerning tuition or scheduling, please contact Joyce.  If the office is busy, feel free to call, or make an appointment.  She will be happy to assist you.  Her business office is located at 218 S. Main Avenue at the top of the stairs.