MYDT Faculty

Emily Blacik Joos – Assistant Director
Ballet, Tap, Modern

Emily holds a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She was a member of Li Chiao-Ping Dance Company for 2 years, and had the opportunity to work with many renowned choreographers including Sean Curran, Molissa Fenley, Laura Dean, Cornelius Carter, Joe Chvala and Mel Wong. Emily has taught at MYDT since its beginning, and initiated MYDT's modern dance program in 1999.

 

Brad Hamilton – Jazz, Musical Theatre

Brad has been teaching at MYDT since 1994 while participating in performances around the Twin Cities. He has previously performed in Europe and on cruise ships.

 

Stacy Kotch – Modern, Jazz

Stacy holds a BFA in Dance from Western Michigan University, and has participated in a wide array of dance performances. She joined MYDT in 2001.

 

Rebecca Saienga –
Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Combos

Rebecca has been dancing since the age of three. She has performed throughout the United States at such venues as the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington , D.C. She has been a guest artist for a project with JAZZDANCE by Danny Buraceski, as well as an understudy with Cathy Young Dance. She has performed works by Merce Cunningham, Doug Varone, Shapiro and Smith, Zoe Sealy, and countless other choreographers. Rebecca has studied at Interlochen, American Dance Festival, American College Dance Festival, and at numerous workshops and conventions throughout the country. She received her BFA in dance from the University of Minnesota . She has been teaching in the Twin Cities since 1995, and has enjoyed being with MYDT since 2002.

 

Jessica Gryniewski – Hip Hop

Jessica graduated from MYDT in 2002 and has taught at MYDT for 7 years. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in dance, and is currently attending William Mitchell College of Law.

 

Margaret Marinoff – Ballet, Pointe, Tap

Margaret studied dance at the University of Utah and the University of Minnesota where she received a BFA in Dance. She has also trained with many prestigious teachers across the United States, and has performed with the Continental Ballet.

 

Grace Wilson – Ballet, Combos

Grace is a graduate of MYDT and has been teaching for 3 years. She is also a graduate of Macalester College.

 

Renee Starr – Ballet

Renee is a graduate of MYDT and has taught at MYDT for 4 years. Renee is currently majoring in dance at the University of Minnesota.

 

Jessica Shasky – Ballet, Combos

Jessica is a graduate of MYDT and a fourth year teacher at MYDT. She is also currently a dance major at the University of Minnesota.

 

Brian Winter - Hip Hop

Brian is a member of the Actor's Equity Association, and has performed as a singer, dancer, and actor in many venues and tours across the United States as well as Scandinavia, England, Mexico, and the Caribbean Islands. He recently released his first solo album entitled "Taking Flight." Brian has a BA in Music and a BA in Theatre/Dance from Luther College in Decorah, IA .  

 

Emily Keilholz - Pilates

Emily is a certified Pilates trainer in the STOTT Pilates method, a modern approach that focuses on Intelligent Exercise to safely achieve long lasting results. As a former gymnast and dancer, Emily started practicing Pilates several years ago when her college athletic trainer suggested using the functional techniques of Pilates to develop a stronger core section, improve posture, flexibility, and balance, and to help achieve her personal fitness goals. She is a lifelong proponent of health and wellness and has since been an advocate of the Pilates approach to physical conditioning.