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Becky, Co-Owner and Lead Artistic Director
Becky Jacobs is one of the owners of Metro Dance Center and has been with the studio since 1984. She was worn many hats at the studio as a dancer, assistant, teacher, artistic director, and now owner.
After high school, Becky graduated with a double major in Mathematics & Dance from the University of Minnesota where she was able to train with many professional choreographers and teachers. After graduating from the U of M, she had the opportunity to perform with the Garner-Gutierrez-Garner Dance Company and continue her training both locally and in New York City and Los angeles.
Outside of dance, she enjoys biking, swimming, and camping with her family - Justin, Kaylin, and Alyssa. Becky is excited to continue sharing her love of dance with dancers of all ages this year while helping them to reach their goals!
Danielle, Co-Owner Danielle is one of the owners of Metro Dance Center and has been working at the studio since 1997. She is married to Nick and has two daughters - Isabelle and Lucy.
Danielle primarily deals with the business end of things at the studio and enjoys working with the wonderful families that dance at the studio.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, biking, and spending time with friends and family.
Alicia
Alicia has been part of the Metro Dance Center family for 15 years, and spent 10 of those yars dancing competitively. After graduating from high school, she attended the University of Minnesota, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology. She is currently attending Anoka Ramsey Community College to work on her nursing degree. She is officially starting that program this fall, and is looking forward to finally owning her own pair of scrubs! She doesn't think she'll get to rhinestone her scrubs, but perhaps will throw some sparkle on her hot pink stethoscope!
Alicia is looking forward to a great year with all the great students at Metro. She can't wait to see how the students grow as dancers!
When she's not dancing, Alicia enjoys shopping, scrapbooking, going out with friends, jet skiing, and being with her beau.
Cara
Cara Anderson has been a dance instructor for over 20 years. She started dancing as a young girl, winning awards both regionally and nationally. She has received scholarships from, and trained with, Tremaise Dance Center. She grew up competing in dance with a well known local dance studio and has traveled all over the United States competing and receiving top honors. She performed in the Super Bowl XXVI half-time show on the main stage. She was also a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves Dance Team for 4 years. She has modeled and acted in the Twin Cities in various projects and worked with many well known people such as Prince, Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis.
Cara attended the University of Minnesota and studied Child Psychology, Kinesiology and Business. Her specialty is working with young dancers to develop the fundamentals of dance and proper technique. She is the mother of three young children and has a style that allows children to feel welcome and comfortable.
Christine
Christine Wood-Morgan, aka beanie, has been teaching at Metro for the past 9 years, and was a student at Metro for 13 years. She trained in Los Angeles and New York and danced professionally in several shows.
This past summer she accepted a full-time job at Liberty Ridge Elementary School where she is teaching 3rd grade. In all her free time, she is currently finishing her Master's degree at Bethel University to receive her masters in Special Education.
This summer Christine also celebrated her wedding to Dan Morgan onJjuly 16th. Christine is currently getting used to married life and her new last name.
Education: BA in Education (Bethel University).
Training: The Edge (LA), Broadway Dance Center (NY), and STEPS (NY)
Performance Experience: Performed with Michael Schwandt in Texas, and at the Liberty Bowl.
Danica
Danica has been dancing since she was 3 years old and has been with Metro Dance Center since she was 5. She has been teaching and assisting regular classes at Metro Dance Center since 2003. She’s looking forward to getting more involved with the competition lines in the next few years as well. Danica is excited to be assisting the Dancing Dads again this year.
Danica has also been involved with a Latin American Folk Dance troupe specializing in many traditional Latin American folk dances. Danica has a fluffy white miniature poodle named Ziggy. You may recognize her as she also works at Arden Shoreview Animal Hospital in Arden Hills as a Certified Veterinary Technician. In her down time she enjoys traveling, scrapbooking, fishing, camping, and spending time with family and friends.
Training: JUMP, West Coast Dance Explosion, LA Dance Force
Duncan
Dancing since age 3, Duncan has been teaching recreational and competition classes at Metro Dance Center for the past 3 years, in particular a boys-only class focusing on tap and jazz. In addition to teaching, he is also a student at the University of MN, with a major in dance and minor in animal sciences.
Duncan enjoys being with friends, having fun, and laughing a lot. He really enjoys teaching the students at Metro Dance Center and sharing his love of dance with the students. Duncan's favorite dance style is contemporary/modern.
Education: BFA in Dance (U of M, in progress)
Training: The Edge (LA), STEPS (NY), Broadway Dance Center (NY), Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (NY), Dancin' in the Streets (AZ), Hubbard Street (IL)
Performance Experience: Crash Dance Productions
Choreography Kudos: Top Choreography Award (2009) for Metro Dance Center, choreography award for Dance Warehouse.
Ellie
Ellie has been dancing for 18 years and teaching at the studio for the past 2 years. She is currently studying Occupational Therapy at the University of St. Thomas and is also a member of the St. Thomas Dance Team. Ellie has danced and choreographed for the Liberty Bowl and Orange Bowl games and assisted Michael Schwandt in several other performances. She has also studied at Broadway Dance Center in New York and The Edge in Los Angeles and has been awarded numerous awards for her dance pieces. She is eager to share her passion for dance with the students and can't wait to see how they grow!
Education: Attending St. Thomas University
Training: The Edge (LA), Broadway Dance Center (New York)
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Heather
Heather Rome has been with the studio for 18 years, dancing competitively for 17 years including the top senior line the past few years. Heather has been assisting classes for 4 years, and is now joining the staff to teach recreational classes. While attending high school at Spring Lake Park, Heather was part of their varsity dance line, dancing with them for 5 years, including Captain the last 2 years. Heather is now attending the University of St. Thomas and plans on graduating with a degree in Elementary Education with hopes to further her degree in Special Education.
In the summers, Heather has worked as a nanny for Danielle Wood-Twohy (studio owner) in addition to watching many other children at the studio. She enjoys spending time with kids and being able to have fun with them while combining her passion for dance.
Julie H
Julie Holscher has been teaching at Metro for 8 years. She has been training in all styles of dance for 20 years including jazz, tap, ballet, pointe, lyrical, modern and hip-hop. She currently teaches competition lines and ensembles at Metro, and is excited to continue sharing her passion for dance with her students.
Education: BA in Spanish and Speech Communication (MNSU-Mankato)
Training: The Edge (LA), Broadway Dance Center (NY), STEPS (NY), Zenon (Mpls)
Performance Experience: University Repertory Dance Theater (MNSU-Mankato), Tappin in the Twin Cities, Timberwolves halftime show, Ordway Gala Fundraiser, Mall of America's 10th Birthday Celebration, Disneyland Theme Parks, Minneapolis Fringe Festival
Choreography Kudos: numerous choreography and high point awards for competiton lines at Metro, top teacher award (2005 and 2008), highest adjudication/diamond choreography awards in 2006 & 2008, taught and choreographed the spring show for the Centro Infantil Union Americana in Guadalajara, Mexico
 Julie - Costume Queen
Julie, known around the studio as the Costume Queen, is in her 10th year as full-time costume designer with Metro Dance Center. Her daughter, Nikki, used to dance at the studio when she was in school (and is now a Staff Sgt. in the Army, currently stationed with the 101st Airborne unit at Fort Campbell). Julie is looking forward to the start of the new year - collaborating with the teachers, watching the dancers grow, and working with the amazing Metro Dance Center Team. Julie says this is her dream job, and she is grateful every day for this gift. Her reward comes every year when she watches the dancers bring her costume creations to life on the stage. Julie is so proud to know each and every one of the amazing young people at the studio.
Kendall
Kendall Rutherford has been dancing since she was three, and received her early
years of training from Metro Dance Center. She graduated from The University of Iowa in December 2010, earning a BA in Elementary Education as well as a BA in Dance. Here, she was the recipient of the Iowa Center for the Arts Scholarship, and had the privilege of performing in works by distinguished choreographers such as George Balanchine, Louis Falco, George de la Pena, Eloy Barragan, Deanna Carter, Carl Flink, and Joanna Rosenthal.
With Iowa's Department of Dance, Kendall traveled to Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as well as Mexico City, Mexico. She has also received training from The Joffrey Ballet School, The Edge, Broadway Dance Center, and Steps on Broadway.
Kendall is excited to be back at Metro Dance Center teaching some ballet and pointe classes as well as a Creative Movement class!
Melissa
Melissa has been a part of the studio since 1983. She danced competitively on their senior competition lines. She has been teachign at metro for the past 15 years and enjoys teaching students of all ages. Melissa welcomed a new boy into her family last year and currently is busy chasing around her 1 year old, Alexander. She also spends her time with husband Ryan and stepson Nick. In her free time, Melissa loves to take pictures and scrapbook.
Melissa is part of the team that choreographs/teaches the Dancing Dads at Metro.
Training: STEPS (NY), Broadway Dance Center (NY)
Choreography Kudos: Top Teacher Award
Nicki
Nicki Wood Weinhagen, known for her uncharacteristically loud and raspy voice, danced at Metro when she was young and has enjoyed teaching here for the last 10 years. Metro has afforded her countless opportunities to train and perform both nationally and internationally including stops in New York, Los Angeles and the Bahamas. Additionally, she has performed and choreographed alongside top choreographer, Michael Schwandt. In recent years, Nicki’s choreography has won numerous awards at local and national dance competitions.
If you can’t find her at the studio check out the nearest McDonald’s Playland, where she is likely hanging with her husband, Jonathan, and 3 little boys, Jake (9), Brad (3) and Josh (17 months).
Tina
Dancing since she was 9 years old, Tina has been teaching ballet classes and ballet technique at Metro Dance Center for 23 years. She currently teaches those classes for students in the competition lines. In addition to teaching at Metro, she also teaches at the University of Minnesota and at Out on a Limb.
Tina enjoys gardening in her spare time, and is featured in a tour of water gardens in the Twin Cities this summer. Her son Tyler is majoring in music performance at UW-Eau Claire. In addition to gardening, Tina enjoys spending time with her partner, Dan.
Training: BA in Dance
Performance Experience: Professional ballerina with American Contemporary Ballet Theaters, Minnesota Dance Theater, and the Pennsylvania and Savannah Dance Theaters. Tina has performed leading roles with Ballet Minnesota such as the Sugar Plum in the Nutcracker, Gisell, and various contemporary works. She has also performed with Ballet Arts with leading roles in Don Quixote, Stars and Stripes, and Sleeping Beauty.
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