Allie Andryski
Q: What are you currently doing that relates to dance?
A: I am on the Sunsations dance team at the University of Miami.
Q: After graduation, what are some dance related activities you participated in?
A: I dance at college football and basketball games. I also will be competing in jazz and hip hop at UDA! When I started looking at colleges that I was interested in, I did some research on each school’s dance team. I knew that I wanted to dance in college, so that definitely was a factor in my decision. I emailed the coaches at the schools I was most interested in. When I toured the University of Miami, I set up a meeting with the coach and some of the girls on the team. After that meeting, I knew that was what I wanted to do, so I sent in a video audition in the spring.
Q: How many years did you dance at Premiere?
A: 15
Q: What is your favorite memory from Premiere?
A: Nationals in Las Vegas was probably the best week of my life. I also loved all the team sleepovers with my team. I know my teammates will always be some of my best friends, and I will never forget the memories we’ve made at Premiere.
Q: What words of advice or inspiration do you have for anyone wanting to continue dance after high school?
A: Even in high school, always remind yourself of your goal of dancing in college to keep yourself motivated. It definitely takes a lot of hard work, but it is so rewarding to be able to represent your college as a dancer.
Anna Curtler
Q: What are you currently doing that relates to dance?
A: Teaching at Premiere and dancing as an Apprentice with Crash Dance Productions!
Q: After graduation, what are some dance related activities you participated in?
A: I have gone to some dance club events at St. Thomas where I go to school, and I am also a part of the pre-professional company with Crash Dance Productions. I learned about Crash through mutual dance friends and auditioned this past summer. As an Apprentice we get to learn repertoire from the company and perform at the Southern Theater.
Q: How many years did you dance at Premiere?
A: 15
Q: What is your favorite memory from Premiere?
A: I have lots, but one of my favorites is the last nationals I attended in Las Vegas in 2019. I had so much fun bonding with my Premiere family on that trip! We also performed my favorite production ever- A Dream is a Wish- for the last time there.
Q: What words of advice or inspiration do you have for anyone wanting to continue dance after high school?
A: If dance is something you love, it is worthwhile to seek out ways to keep doing it! You don’t have to commit a ton of time if you don’t want to; you can take classes that are offered around you every now and then or explore more laid back dance opportunities at your school or in your city! Personally, graduating high school/leaving behind the routine I knew for so long when moving to college was stressful. Dance was a great way to help me feel grounded and comfortable doing something I was familiar with, while still getting to meet a new dance community and friends!
Ethan Zambrano
Q: What are you currently doing that relates to dance?
A: I currently teach dance at 3 dance studios and a fine arts charter school in Oklahoma City. Recently, I have been guest teaching for different conventions here in the OKC metro area.
Q: After graduation, what are some dance related activities you participated in?
A: After graduating high school, I majored in dance pedagogy at Oklahoma City University. While in the program, I was part of American Spirit Dance Company (the school’s dance company), Spirit of Grace Liturgical Dance Company, student choreography show, and taught in the community dance center. After college, I performed at Frontier City Amusement Park as a dance and magician.
Q: How many years did you dance at Premiere?
A: 2
Q: What is your favorite memory from Premiere?
A: My favorite memory from Premiere is one of the last nights from my senior year. We had a heart-to-heart in lyrical class followed by an upbeat, fun combo in jazz. It was a great mirror for how dance is all encompassing for every feeling at any moment.
Q: What words of advice or inspiration do you have for anyone wanting to continue dance after high school?
A:Do the things you don’t want to do when you don’t want to do them, so you can do the things you want to do when you want to do it. You won’t feel like dancing every day, and that is okay. Remember your “why” and let that be your motivation.
We will continually be updating our Alumni section on our website. If you are interested in being featured please send us an email! We love to hear what our dancers are up to!
Julia Wieskus
Q: What are you currently doing that relates to dance?
A: I am on the SDSU Dance team
Q: After graduation, what are some dance related activities you participated in?
A: I am apart of the SDSU Dance team! I decided after COVID hit that I wanted to be apart of something that I was passionate about and represent my school. I tried out for the dance team and couldn’t be happier!
Q: How many years did you dance at Premiere?
A: 15 years
Q: What is your favorite memory from Premiere?
A: My favorite memory dancing at Premiere was going to nationals with my teammates! It was such a fun experience to compete against studios across the country and represent the Minnesota talent.
Q: What words of advice or inspiration do you have for anyone wanting to continue dance after high school?
A: My advice to dancers that want to continue after high school is to just go for it! I promise you will not regret it! It is a great way to meet people from other states that share the same love for dance. It is also a great way to get involved and stay active!
Carolyn Rupp
Q: What are you currently doing that relates to dance?
A: I teach dance in NYC and am auditioning for Broadway shows.
Q: After graduation, what are some dance related activities you participated in?
A: I went to Marymount Manhattan College and got my degree in dance, after auditioning my senior year.
Q: How many years did you dance at Premiere?
A: 15 years
Q: What is your favorite memory from Premiere?
A: All of the opportunities to move! Training in every style throughout the years has really provided me with the right skill set for New York.
Q: What words of advice or inspiration do you have for anyone wanting to continue dance after high school?
A: Dancing fuels everything I do, and nothing ever can replace that feeling of being on stage and performing for an audience.
Cloe Theleman
Q: What are you currently doing that relates to dance?
A: I am currently working full-time at Premiere Dance as an instructor, choreographer and Creative Assistant where I handle all retail/apparel, social media, marketing, events, etc.
Q: After graduation, what are some dance related activities you participated in?
A: I was on the Minnesota State University-Mankato Dance Team. I auditioned in the spring of my senior year of high school and then we did summer training before the school year started! I loved being on the dance team because it helped me meet a ton of new people and kept me involved with my school!
Q: How many years did you dance at Premiere?
A: Literally my whole life lol I think I danced for 15 years though!
Q: What is your favorite memory from Premiere?
A: This is so hard because I have made so many memories at Premiere both as a student and as a teacher! Overall, I think my favorite thing is that everyone at Premiere feels like family. We all support, love and motivate each other, and I know growing up here has shaped me in to the person I am today. I feel so lucky that I had such incredible teachers and teammates always there for me no matter what. Premiere truly has always felt like a second home to me and I’m so grateful that I am still part of this amazing studio!
Q: What words of advice or inspiration do you have for anyone wanting to continue dance after high school?
A: Confidence is EVERYTHING!
Although I am so grateful with how my life and career have turned out, I definitely regret not taking dance more seriously when looking at colleges and other options after graduating high school. I think a big part of it is because I didn’t fully believe that I could do it or that I would fail if I tried. If you have any big dreams or aspirations after high school (dance related or not) you just have to trust in yourself and go for it! It may be scary at first but if you have confidence, you will be unstoppable!
Rachel Schriever
Q: What are you currently doing that relates to dance?
A: I am on the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire Dance Team!
Q: After graduation, what are some dance related activities you participated in?
A: College Dance Team
Q: How many years did you dance at Premiere?
A: 15
Q: What is your favorite memory from Premiere?
A: My favorite memory from Premiere is when my sister and I had a duet together! It was her senior year and I was so happy I got to spend time with her doing what we both love. We have such a special connection and dancing together just made it even stronger!
Q: What words of advice or inspiration do you have for anyone wanting to continue dance after high school?
A: Transitioning from high school to college can sometimes be tough and overwhelming and what helped me a lot is to have something consistent in my life that I love to do, dance! I decided to join the dance team at my college and I love it! It’s also such an amazing way to meet new people right away! I love all the girls on my team and am so glad I got to meet them all!
Payton Boyce
Q: What are you currently doing that relates to dance?
A: I am on the South Dakota State Dance team!
Q: After graduation, what are some dance related activities you participated in?
A: After I moved into school at SDSU, a couple weeks went by and I noticed that South Dakota States dance team was holding a fall tryout and I decided to tryout and I made it! We dance at all home football games and basketball games at either a media time or halftime, and we also cheer on the sidelines. We will also be competing two routines later in the year in Pom and Jazz and eventually go to nationals in Florida in April! It has been so much fun to be involved in my school and has been an amazing way to meet friends while also doing what I love!
Q: How many years did you dance at Premiere?
A: I danced at Premiere for 15 years.
Q: What is your favorite memory from Premiere?
A: My favorite memory from Premiere would probably be production sleepover every year. It is so fun to be with the entire company line and spend time with everyone!
Q: What words of advice or inspiration do you have for anyone wanting to continue dance after high school?
A:If you want to continue dance after high school, I would say there is absolutely no harm in just trying it out! I was very nervous to tryout back in April, and I ended up not trying out, and when I got to school I wish I would have! I was very lucky to have them announce that there would be a late tryout and it has been one of the best decisions I have made! Even if you don’t want to do college dance team, there are always other options like a dance club or a dance major that would allow you to continue your love for dance! It never hurts to try and go out of your comfort zone because it could lead to something even better than what you expected.
Kenzie Perrier
Q: What are you currently doing that relates to dance?
A:I am coaching the Mounds View Viewettes Dance Team.
Q: After graduation, what are some dance related activities you participated in?
A: I was a member of the St. Cloud State University Dance Team. I attended a clinic at SCSU during my senior year and fell in love with the team, I then decided to try out! I took a few years away from dance, but I am now coaching the Mounds View Viewettes Dance Team.
Q: How many years did you dance at Premiere?
A: 15
Q: What is your favorite memory from Premiere?
A: I have many memories, but my some of my favorites are from competing at Nationals. I loved traveling with my team and competing against studios from across the nation.
Q: What words of advice or inspiration do you have for anyone wanting to continue dance after high school?
A: Have confidence and go for it! If you go to college in a new city, continuing dance will introduce you to many others who share the same love of dance as you. I don’t regret dancing in college and met some lifelong friends from the team. I enjoy coaching and working with the other coaches to build a team and mentor them to meet their goals.
Sophie Zak
Q: What are you currently doing that relates to dance?
A: I just finished my last year on the Purdue Dance Team and am currently finishing up nursing school!
Q: After graduation, what are some dance related activities you participated in?
A: During the spring of my senior year, I auditioned for and made the Purdue Dance Team. Throughout my four years on the team, we danced at football games, basketball games, community events, and competed at NDA and DTU College Nationals. This last spring, we earned our first national championship in the DIA pom division at Dance Team Union! The dance team was such a good way to meet people coming in from out of state and they became some of my best friends.
Q: How many years did you dance at Premiere?
A: I believe it was 13 or 14? Haha not quite sure, but but I loved every moment.
Q: What is your favorite memory from Premiere?
A: There are far too many to pick from! Some of my favorites include any lip sync competition at production sleepovers, technique class with the seniors, getting to see my choreography on stage for the first time, and recital potlucks.
Q: What words of advice or inspiration do you have for anyone wanting to continue dance after high school?
A:Don’t be afraid to put yourself outside your comfort zone! Joining the Purdue Dance Team turned out to be one of the best parts of my college experience. Research the schools that you are interested in and reach out to the coaches, showing interest can help them get to know you.
Bella Golay
Q: What are you currently doing that relates to dance?
A: I am currently studying abroad in Italy, but if I wasn’t I’d be performing in UST basketball halftime shows with my team!
Q: After graduation, what are some dance related activities you participated in?
A: During my senior year in high school, I became a member of the University of St. Thomas Dance Team! I joined the team by participating in their spring tryouts. I also continued being a part of Darby’s Dancers by joining the program at UST! I also began teaching and choreographing for other teams.
Q: How many years did you dance at Premiere?
A: 14 years (I’m pretty sure)
Q: What is your favorite memory from Premiere?
A: My favorite Premiere memory is the last time the seniors performed our senior dance at recital when we all got to hug each other and our non-senior teammates. We all grew up together and became best friends and so dancing with them one last time is a memory I will never forget! Some unforgettable mems: When I was little and performed my Cruella solo, I came stage and Cloe said to me that i should never stop dancing and told me how talented I was 🙂 – Callie’s goodbye post to me on Instagram (I cry whenever I watch it) – Performing father daughter with my dad (who still does Buffalo’s to this day)
Q: What words of advice or inspiration do you have for anyone wanting to continue dance after high school?
A: Take every dance opportunity you can!!! You will never regret pushing yourself!! Extra advice side note: When I tried out for USTDT, I never thought I would ever make the team and felt silly for trying out in the first place because Hip Hop wasn’t my forte and that’s what they are known for. I did make the team and now I have another amazing dance family, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there!
Vanessa Failor
Q: What are you currently doing that relates to dance?
A:teaching yoga
Q: After graduation, what are some dance related activities you participated in?
A: College dance team, cheered for the Vikings, teach yoga, worked at the studio.
Q: How many years did you dance at Premiere?
A: 13 years
Q: What is your favorite memory from Premiere?
A: Honestly I just remember how good it felt to dance full out with my team. The studio was my safe space to process & let all my emotion out, no matter what kind of day I was having. I miss it so much, there is nothing that could ever replace the experience of studio dance.
Q: What words of advice or inspiration do you have for anyone wanting to continue dance after high school?
A:Believe in yourself. Kick that voice of doubt to the curb and GO FOR IT! You only have one life, and the window for our bodies to be able to dance the way they can is short, so take the risk! You can grow up and do adult things later, HAVE FUN NOW & do what you’re most passionate about.
We will continually be updating our Alumni section on our website. If you are interested in being featured please send us an email! We love to hear what our dancers are up to!