La Crosse Dance Centre
2716 Commerce Street
La Crosse, WI 54603
nikki@lacrossedancecentre.org
608-783-5155
Photo credits: Ashley Williams, Theresa Smerud and Krissa Valentine-Harnis
Claire Penning is a choreographer, teacher, and performing artist passionate about creating expressive, musical, and story-driven movement for the stage. She currently teaches at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts and at La Crosse Dance Centre, instructing multiple levels of tap, jazz, and contemporary for students ranging from middle school through adult and collegiate levels.
As a choreographer, Claire has worked with a wide range of schools, universities, and regional theaters, including Wabasha-Kellogg High School, Cotter High School, the River Junction Arts Council, Saint Mary’s University, and the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts. Her choreography spans musical theatre, concert dance, and competition settings, and is recognized for its blend of technical precision, storytelling, and dynamic rhythm.
Claire is also an experienced show choir choreographer, creating energetic and stylistically diverse routines for groups across the midwest. Her work includes choreography for Onalaska Middle School’s “Top O’ the Middle” and “In the Middle” ensembles, as well as multiple seasonal concert pieces for Cotter High School’s show choir program. Her choreography emphasizes musicality, performance quality, and ensemble connection, bringing both artistry and joy to the competitive show choir stage.
Claire’s teaching philosophy centers on inspiring dancers to find confidence and artistry through movement. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point and continues to perform and create throughout the United States.
Jen TeBeest-Severson has served as a dance educator in the La Crosse and Winona area for over 20 years. Jen grew up dancing at La Crosse Dance Centre and has taught at LDC since 2002. Jen has previously worked with Viterbo University , Winona State University, St. Mary’s University and Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts. Jen has taught jazz, tap, musical theater, funk, and currently teaches in the styles of modern, dance composition and ballet at LDC. Jen has continued to choreograph for area high school students in musical theater and has choreographed over 30 musical productions.
Jen currently works as a Registered Dance Movement Therapist and Licensed Professional counselor in Onalaska Wisconsin, where she incorporates dance and movement as psychotherapeutic tools for better mental health. She is also a registered yoga teacher and utilizes movement analysis and somatic practice as cornerstones to composition and introducing students to authentic movement in their dance practice. Jen cherishes her time teaching at LDC and working in a genuine and collaborative environment. Jen has two children, who now dance at LDC, and is grateful for all of the creative opportunities her children get to experience as part of the LDC community.
Nikki Balsamo quite literally grew up at La Crosse Dance Centre. Her parents, Tony and Colleen Balsamo, became owners of the studio in 1983, and Nikki now proudly carries their legacy forward as Owner and Artistic Director.
She earned her BFA in Dance from the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities in 1999 and went on to perform and teach in Minneapolis before returning home to La Crosse in 2001 to become Artistic Director of LDC. From 2004–2014, Nikki also served as Dance Coordinator in Viterbo University’s Theatre & Music Theatre Department. In 2015, after completing her MA in Servant Leadership at Viterbo, she became the owner of La Crosse Dance Centre.
Nikki’s true passion lies in dance education. She has dedicated her career to honing the art of teaching and creating a program where every dancer feels welcome, valued, and inspired to discover the joy of movement. She continues her professional development through ongoing study with Anne Green Gilbert, founder of the Creative Dance Center in Seattle and Brain-Compatible Dance Education, which forms the foundation of LDC’s curriculum. She also studies the Alexander Technique with Diane Foust to deepen her understanding of the body and efficient movement.
At the heart of Nikki’s work is a belief that dance is for everyone—and that the studio should be a place of creativity, connection, collaboration, and community.
Angela has been teaching ballet at LDC since 2018. In the studio she promotes a warm learning environment and teaches technique through the lens of biomechanics. She uses lively imagery to assist with gaining the expression and qualities that leads to dynamic dancing. Her career began with dance and she can not imagine her own life without it; she loves sharing this lifelong pursuit with the LDC students.
Angela started her dancing at a studio much like LDC called The Art Center School of Dance in Huntington, WV with Ella Hay. When there she performed in multiple lead roles and danced with a community ballet company. Before coming to LDC, Angela earned a BA in dance and psychology from the University of Montana, an MFA in dance from Sarah Lawrence College and a DPT from Mayo Clinic. When in NYC she had the pleasure of working with Duncan Noble, Jerry Burr, Sarah Rudner, Gerald Casel, Allegra Kent, Peggy Gould, Steve Paxton and Yvonne Rainer among many other teachers. She works as a physical therapist in La Crosse when not at the studio. She has earned certificates in teaching Pilates, Body Mind Centering and Laban Movement Analysis. She uses all of this knowledge and experience to provide a rich classroom experience for our students.
Megan danced as a student at LDC for 8 years, took a few years off, and has now been teaching at LDC for 8 years. She is also a nurse and mom of three! Megan teaches at LDC because she enjoys creating and connecting with the dancers and sharing her love of dance with others, including her own children. She is continuously surprised by the creativity, talent, and kindness of the LDC dancers, and she feels very fortunate to work with such wonderful staff members, dancers, and families.
“Our “LDC family” is so special to me and my kids, and we are thankful for them every day!”
Vivian is a college student at Viterbo University where she is pursuing a degree in Nursing and a Minor in Dance. She is thrilled to be teaching dance at La Crosse Dance Centre along with Sole Expressions Dance Studio in Viroqua. Vivian grew up on the competitive stage choreographing her own award winning tap solos and attending multiple dance festivals and conventions. She is the recipient of multiple dance awards and scholarships and has been featured in opening numbers and music videos for several different competition companies. She has attended the World Dance Pageant in New York, the NOLA Tap Festival, Chicago Tap Theatre Intensives and more. She has worked hand in hand with several professionals in the dance industry. She danced at LDC in high school, participating in numerous Spring Performances and Nutcrackers and is excited to be back to share her passion for dance with the next generation of dancers.
Tammy Schmidt has been a professional dance artist and educator for more than 25 years, serving as the Director of Dance and Summer Dance Intensive Coordinator at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts since 1999. She holds a B.F.A. in Ballet from Texas Christian University and an M.F.A. in Dance from the University of Oklahoma with emphases in Ballet and General/Crisis Intervention Counseling. Schmidt has re-staged and choreographed more than fifty classical, contemporary, and full-length ballets for MCA’s Dance Repertory Company, including: Bronislava Nijinska’s Le Train Bleu, The Balcony Scene from Romeo and Juliet, The Dying Swan, Le Corsaire, Cinderella, Paquita, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, the Kingdom of the Shades from La Bayadère, A Tender Age, Hotdish and Memories, An Evening with Benny Goodman, The Southern Ties that Bind, and Midwinter.
In addition to her responsibilities at the Conservatory, Tammy is adjunct ballet faculty at Winona State University, a guest instructor for the La Crosse Dance Centre, she is an American Ballet Theatre (ABTR) Certified Teacher, completing the Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABTR National Training Curriculum, and a certified and licensed Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) instructor. Schmidt is also a member of the International Association of Dance Medicine & Science and the Minnesota Dance Medicine Foundation. She served as Dance Program Director for Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota for 15 years, and has previously taught at Viterbo University, University of Oklahoma, North Houston Ballet, Backstage Dance Theatre, and a performing arts middle school in Austin, Texas. Her dance training and performing includes work with the Houston Ballet, Ballet Dallas, Ballet Austin, Milwaukee Ballet, and the Oklahoma Festival Ballet.
Becca Mason is a stay-at-home mom to two wonderful daughters and a licensed Occupational Therapist. Her journey with dance began at the age of three at LDC, where she spent her childhood taking every class possible and joining every production she could. Some of her favorite memories come from performing in The Nutcracker—a tradition that helped shape her love for the art of dance.
Now, as a teacher, Becca aims to pass that joy on to the next generation. She focuses on building solid technique while also encouraging each dancer’s unique voice and creative expression. She deeply values the positive, loving, and supportive community at LDC, where the emphasis is placed on creativity and personal growth over perfection.
“It’s a joy to be part of a studio that feels like home.”
Natalie Stehly is a dancer, maker, and educator. She graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, earning her BFA in Dance. During her time in Urbana, she had the pleasure of performing in works by Kendra Portier, Mauriah Kraker, Leah Wilks, Charli Brissey, Renée Wadleigh, Nico Brown, Linda Lehovec, Paige Cunningham-Caldarella and Rachel Rizzuto, and additionally working with faculty members Jennifer Monson, Abby Zbikowski, Kirstie Simons, Rebecca Nettl-Fiol, Sara Hook, Cynthia Oliver, Jan Erkert, Tere O’Connor among others.
Natalie is passionate about dance education and has notably taught at Dancewave, School at Peridance, Dance Theatre of Harlem, La Crosse Dance Centre and Milwaukee Ballet School and Academy. Natalie’s teaching practices are founded in Brain-Compatible Dance Education, which she studied at the University of Illinois and at the Creative Dance Center in Seattle with founder Anne Green Gilbert through their Summer Dance Institute for Teachers. In addition to teaching dance, Natalie is a 200-Hour Yoga Teacher and certified Children’s Yoga Instructor. Her choreography and teaching practices are informed by her love for improvisation and somatic practices, such as the Alexander Technique. Her work has been presented throughout the Midwest and NYC. Most recently, Natalie was selected to be part of the Emerging Artist Mentorship Program through Wisconsin Dance Council where her work was be performed at Warped Studio (Milwaukee, WI).
Natalie spent her formative years dancing at La Crosse Dance Centre, from the age of 4 – 18 years old. LDC instilled in her love for choreography, somatic practices, improvisation, collaborative work, compassionate teaching practices, and the pure joy she feels while dancing. Natalie feels fortunate to continue to be a part of a community that has impacted her greatly throughout her life and career.
Bryce Turgeon is a music theatre dance teacher and costume designer with over a decade of professional experience in the performing arts. He holds a BFA in Theatrical Design and Technology from Viterbo University and spent 12 years in New York City designing costumes for Broadway, national tours, and film, including Tony Award–winning productions and custom pieces for the Met Gala.
Bryce’s teaching philosophy centers on storytelling through movement—helping dancers discover how character, music, and physicality work together to create a performance that is both technically strong and emotionally rich. He believes that every student has a unique artistic voice and strives to create a supportive, inclusive classroom where dancers feel safe to explore, take risks, and develop confidence both on and off the stage.
His professional background in costume design deeply informs his approach to dance education. Bryce encourages students to think not only about choreography, but also about how visual elements like costuming, posture, and stage presence can enhance their storytelling. By merging his expertise in design with his love for musical theatre, he guides dancers toward a more holistic understanding of performance.
Bryce appreciates La Crosse Dance Centre’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded artists in a positive and collaborative environment. He values the school’s dedication to both technical excellence and creative exploration, and loves contributing to productions where dancers are empowered to shine in their individuality while working as part of a larger ensemble.
When he’s not teaching, Bryce continues to design costumes for theatre and dance productions nationwide. He is passionate about bringing professional-level artistry to young performers, inspiring them to see the stage as a place where hard work, imagination, and joy meet.