Elena
Owner | Instructor | RSPC Co-Director
Elena is a mother, dancer, and businesswoman with a history of dance and gymnastics. The style close to her heart is Poms, which she competed in when she was younger. She joined Rhythm and Shoes in 2018 and enrolled her daughter in 2019. Elena and her team at The Toninato Group manage the studio from an administrative and operational standpoint. Elena is also the owner of the Rhythmic Beauty Lounge.
Andrew
Instructor
Andrew Lester is an award-winning professional dancer based in Minneapolis. Having started his training at a young age in Central Minnesota with Carlos Stroia, he graduated with his BFA in Dance from the University of Minnesota in 2006 and has gone on to become a staple of the Twin Cities dance community for almost 20 years. He was a full-time company member of James Sewell Ballet for six seasons and has been dancing with Shapiro & Smith Dance for 12 years. He was also a founding member of the chamber ensemble at St. Paul City Ballet (now St. Paul Ballet).
Antonia
Instructor
This upcoming season will be Antonia’s 6th year teaching at Rhythm & Shoes. She attended Mankato State University, earning a degree in Theatre. She teaches Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, and Preschool classes. Although well versed, she specializes in Broadway Jazz. She currently works as an Actress and Choreographer around the Twin Cities.
Katie
Instructor
Katie has worked for Rhythm and Shoes for many years and is also the head coach of the Varsity Dance Team at Woodbury High School.
Ashley D.
Instructor | RSPC Co-Director
Ashley started dancing at 7 and has continued her passion to this day. She has taught Ballet, Tap, and Jazz at Rhythm & Shoes for the past seven years. When Ashley’s not teaching or dancing, she loves spending time at her family’s cabin and being a mom!
Britany
Instructor
Britnay has been teaching at R&S since 2017. Dance has always been a big part of her life. She started dancing at the age of 5 and has studied many styles of dance, including Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, and High Kick. Throughout her dance education, she has participated in both recreational and competitive studios and dance teams. Hip-hop has always been her absolute favorite style of dance!
She graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and a minor in Sociology. In her free time, she loves hiking outdoors and rollerblading with her dog, Maizey.
Sarah P
Instructor
Sarah has been dancing since the age of 3 and is trained in Tap, Jazz and specializes in Lyrical and Classical Ballet. She began her teaching journey at Rhythm & Shoes at 18. She loves sharing her knowledge and passion for dance through a focused approach to technique and creating a lasting positive impact on her students.
Jen
Instructor
Jen began dancing at the age of 3. She’s continued her love for dance at Rhythm & Shoes since the studio opened 16 years ago. This upcoming season will be her 7th year teaching Tap & Jazz at the studio. Jen’s kids are also active dancers at R&S – both take classes and are longtime members of the Performance Company.
Ashley K.
Front Desk
Ashley Kern is a dedicated faculty member with a strong passion for the arts. Beyond her professional commitment, she’s a proud and caring mother to three of our studio’s dancers. Her nurturing spirit not only benefits our institution but also make her an invaluable support system for both her children and their fellow dancers. With her organizational prowess and unwavering support, Ashley plays a crucial role in ensuring the seamless operation of our studio while being a loving and encouraging presence in the lives of our young performers.
Karin
Instructor
Karin Swainey is an educator at heart. She taught elementary school for ten years and currently works for an educational non-profit called AVID. She’s taught for R&S in the past and is very excited to rejoin the dance family. She’s danced since age 4, doing Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Ballet, Lyrical, and Production. Her daughter will be joining the R&S family in her early kindergarten years!
Abby
Instructor
Abby grew up dancing at Rhythm and Shoes and, now that she has graduated, enjoys continuing to teach and dance as an adult.
Michelle
Instructor
Michelle has taught at Rhythm and Shoes for 15 years and has been a high school science teacher for 12 years. She was a chemical engineer before teaching for about 15 years. She has been dancing since the age of 4. Lyrical and contemporary her my favorite styles of dance. She has a chemical engineering degree from the University of Minnesota and a teaching degree from Hamline. She loves that dance allows you to be creative and express yourself in addition to improving your strength, flexibility, and coordination. Also, dance has been found to improve brain function, memory, and mental health.
Elyse
Instructor
Elyse joined Rhythm & Shoes first as a parent. Her daughter is about to dance in her 7th recital with the studio. She joined the faculty this year as a tap and jazz instructor for our Kindergarten through 2nd grad class. Her favorite styles of dance are Hip-Hop and Poms.
Mckayla
Assistant
Addy
Assistant | 2022 Student of the Year
Camryn
Assistant | 2024 Student of the Year
Vanessa
Assistant
Alaina
Assistant
Katie R
Assistant