Teachers

Jan Barduson Tripp graduated from Hastings High School as the class valedictorian in 1971. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree Magna Cum Laude in physical education with a dance minor from St. Olaf College in 1975. After teaching physical education and health in the Rosemount and Hastings Public Schools, Jan started Jan’s School of Dance, Inc. in the fall of 1981.

 

For over 40 years she has enjoyed teaching pre-school through adult classes. Her dancers have gone on to dance both professionally with Disney, Minnesota North Stars, Minnesota Swarm, and Minnesota Vikings, as well as at the college level.

 

Jan is a member of DEA and has attended numerous conventions throughout the years. She is happy to discuss any questions with you. Please call 651-437-1584 if you need assistance.

  

 

 

Kayla Sohn began dancing at Jan’s School of Dance where she danced for 15 years. She went on to graduate with a bachelor’s of arts degree in dance as well as communication studies from Gustavus Adolphus College. While at Gustavus she was a captain of the dance and a member of the Gustavus Dance Company.

 

After college, Kayla went on to dance professionally with the Minnesota Swarm and Minnesota Vikings. She was a Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader for 6 seasons, team captain for 2 seasons, and was the 2019 Pro Bowl Cheerleader and Cheerleader of the year. On behalf of the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders Kayla was selected to travel and dance on 6 different trips expanding across the US and internationally and had the opportunity to perform with Justin Timberlake, Jordan Davis, and Tinie Tempah. Outside of her professional dance career Kayla continued to teach and coach in MN and the greater NYC area, where she lived for the past three years.

 

Outside of dance, Kayla worked at Target Corporate for the last 9 years, most recently leading a team of property managers covering the northeast region of the US. Kayla recently moved back to MN with her husband, daughter Parker, and Bernese Mountain Dog named Zoey! Kayla is excited to continue helping to grow the next generation of talented dancers.
 

 

Julie Mattimiro danced for Jan’s School of Dance until she graduated from Hastings High School. After high school, she went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the College of Saint Benedict and her Masters in Education from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls.
 
Julie has been teaching students age toddler through adult at Jan’s for many years in a variety of disciplines including: tap, ballet, tumbling, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and clogging. Julie’s calm demeanor and steady approach is a valuable asset to the teaching staff.
 
  
 

 

Katherine Griffis began dancing at the age of three when her mother noticed her inability to sit still during violin lessons. She began dancing recreationally and later moved on to compete in the styles of tap, jazz, ballet, and lyrical for 15 years. Katherine’s passion for dance was further nurtured at St. Olaf College where she pursued a dance major, graduating magna cum laude with departmental distinction in dance.

Since graduating, she has had the opportunity to work with many populations including children, university students, veterans, healthcare professionals, and senior citizens as an artist with Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater, based in Minneapolis. Katherine finds no greater joy than sharing the love of movement with others, and seeing her students grow!

 
  
 

 

Katie Boyd began dancing at Jan’s School of Dance at the age of 5. She was involved in several lines, including clogging, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, novelty, solos, duets, and even a trio. Katie recently earned her BA in Business Management with Healthcare Administration and Organizational Leadership minors. Outside of dance, Katie works with Allina Health full time. 

 

While dancing competitively at Jan’s, Katie was a student teacher for 6 years. She helped with younger classes involving tap and jazz, as well as assisted with pre-teen and teen lines.

 

 
 

 

 

Nicolle Bond began dancing at Jan’s School of dance at the age of 3.  While dancing at Jan’s for 15 years she was involved in acro, clogging, super clog, ballet, point, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, novelty, solos, duets, and trios. Nicolle was also a student teacher for many years and continued to teach in the summer while attending college during the school year.

 

Nicolle has a degree in Business Administration from Winona State University along with minors in Accounting, Dance, Economics, and Finance.   She has been very involved in the dance program at WSU and has choreographed dance pieces for the performances in Winona.  From 2019 – 2020, Nicolle was the assistant director for “Dancescape”, which involves a big performance every year.  Besides being a dance teacher, Nicolle works as an accountant at Wings Financial Credit Union. 

 

 

 

Nena Fasbender started dancing at Jan’s School of Dance at 2 years old. While at Jan’s, she participated in jazz, lyrical, novelty, hip hop, clogging, solos, as well as helping student teach children and acro classes. Nena graduated in 2020 from Lake Forest College, where she earned her Bachelors of Arts in Neuroscience & Business with a concentration in Accounting. While at LFC, Nena danced on the Lake Forest Dance Team for 3 years and was captain of the POMS team as well.

 

Now graduated, Nena works as an Accountant at Parkway Custom Construction and teaches at the studio for fun on weeknights! One of her favorite things about teaching is seeing all the little kids she used to teach turn into beautiful dancers and watching all her students become stronger dancers over the year! 

 

Katie McBride began dancing at Jan’s School of Dance where she danced for 16 years. She went on to graduate with a degree in Elementary Education from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. While at Concordia she was a member of the dance team and competed at the National level. She continued dancing at a studio in Burnsville after graduating college. 

This is her first year back teaching at Jan’s and she is looking forward to many more!

 

Outside of dance, Katie is a 4th grade teacher at McAuliffe Elementary school. She enjoys spending time outdoors and with her family. Both of her daughters are dancers at Jan’s. It is so fun to have a second generation of Jan’s dancers in the family!

Schedule Weekend Studio Time – Room A

 

If you want to schedule studio time for a weekday during non-class times, email Jan directly.

 

Reminder: Do not schedule studio time before noon on Sundays!

  

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