Wendy Graack
Owner/Dance Instructor/Choreographer

Wendy Graack is a certified dance teacher, performance artist, choreographer, and the owner of Dance Impressions, a 15 year old dance training organization based in Minnesota. Ms. Wendy has extensive training and experience in dance from the acclaimed New York City Ballet, Royal Ballet Academy, Martha Graham Companies, Hubbard Street Companies, Boston Conservatory and the Moscow Ballet. She has also danced with Carnival Cruise Lines, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, United Performing Association, United Dance Association, United Cheer Association, The Performing Arts Center LA, The Artist Formerly Known as Prince, Fuller Brothers Lyrical Company, and 42nd Street Off Broadway in New York. She has also worked with the NBA, NFL, and NHL Dance/Cheer Teams; the Plyometric Technique Video Series, Max Factor and PepsiCo. Ms. Wendy has served as choreographer and trainer for numerous productions and organizations including Giselle, Copellia, Diamond In The Rough, Nutcracker Fantasy, Children’s Theater, Ballet Of The Dolls, World and Olympic Skater Trainees, Gymnastics Trainees and the Timberwolves and Vikings Dance Teams. Ms. Wendy, who is passionate about working with children, has developed a philosophy and education program that is based on proper technical development combined with hard work, respectable behavior, and a fun, creative atmosphere. She is a certified dance instructor with dance instruction training in ballet, pointe, lyrical, jazz, tap, and musical theater from beginner/preschool to professional. She has additional training from Steps On Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, The Edge Performing Arts Center, The Millennium Dance Center, Zenon Dance Center, Ballet Arts, Dance Teacher Summit NYC, and The Canadian Council Arts Industry. Her students have gone on to dance with great organizations such as the Philadelphia Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Minnesota Dance Theater, Moscow Ballet, Radio City Rockettes, Hubbard Dance Companies, Alvin Ailey, LA Performing Arts Center, Justin Timberlake Dancers, MTV, BET, Las Vegas Follies, and a number of NBA dance teams to name a few. Ms. Wendy has additional training and experience in Pilates, personal training (NETA), nutrition and CPR/AED. Outside of dance she enjoys bodybuilding and spending time with her friends.

Wendy Graack
Owner/Dance Instructor/Choreographer

Wendy Graack is a certified dance teacher, performance artist, choreographer, and the owner of Dance Impressions, a 15 year old dance training organization based in Minnesota. Ms. Wendy has extensive training and experience in dance from the acclaimed New York City Ballet, Royal Ballet Academy, Martha Graham Companies, Hubbard Street Companies, Boston Conservatory and the Moscow Ballet. She has also danced with Carnival Cruise Lines, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, United Performing Association, United Dance Association, United Cheer Association, The Performing Arts Center LA, The Artist Formerly Known as Prince, Fuller Brothers Lyrical Company, and 42nd Street Off Broadway in New York. She has also worked with the NBA, NFL, and NHL Dance/Cheer Teams; the Plyometric Technique Video Series, Max Factor and PepsiCo. Ms. Wendy has served as choreographer and trainer for numerous productions and organizations including Giselle, Copellia, Diamond In The Rough, Nutcracker Fantasy, Children’s Theater, Ballet Of The Dolls, World and Olympic Skater Trainees, Gymnastics Trainees and the Timberwolves and Vikings Dance Teams. Ms. Wendy, who is passionate about working with children, has developed a philosophy and education program that is based on proper technical development combined with hard work, respectable behavior, and a fun, creative atmosphere. She is a certified dance instructor with dance instruction training in ballet, pointe, lyrical, jazz, tap, and musical theater from beginner/preschool to professional. She has additional training from Steps On Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, The Edge Performing Arts Center, The Millennium Dance Center, Zenon Dance Center, Ballet Arts, Dance Teacher Summit NYC, and The Canadian Council Arts Industry. Her students have gone on to dance with great organizations such as the Philadelphia Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Minnesota Dance Theater, Moscow Ballet, Radio City Rockettes, Hubbard Dance Companies, Alvin Ailey, LA Performing Arts Center, Justin Timberlake Dancers, MTV, BET, Las Vegas Follies, and a number of NBA dance teams to name a few. Ms. Wendy has additional training and experience in Pilates, personal training (NETA), nutrition and CPR/AED. Outside of dance she enjoys bodybuilding and spending time with her friends.

Cindy Ailts
Dance Instructor/Choreographer

Cindy Ailts s an experienced Dance Teacher and Choreographer. Ms. Cindy has been dancing since the age of four and has extensive dance training. Ms. Cindy started her training with Beverly Theis Dance Studio. She danced on the adult competitive lines for Victoria Dance Productions for two years and then with The Dance Shoppe for six years. She is a tap specialist with extensive experience in ballet and jazz. She works with both our very young children's program through our teen and adult classes. She is versatile, fun and runs a creative and technically skillful class. Ms. Cindy has been teaching at Dance Impressions for six years.

Cindy Ailts
Dance Instructor/Choreographer

Cindy Ailts s an experienced Dance Teacher and Choreographer. Ms. Cindy has been dancing since the age of four and has extensive dance training. Ms. Cindy started her training with Beverly Theis Dance Studio. She danced on the adult competitive lines for Victoria Dance Productions for two years and then with The Dance Shoppe for six years. She is a tap specialist with extensive experience in ballet and jazz. She works with both our very young children's program through our teen and adult classes. She is versatile, fun and runs a creative and technically skillful class. Ms. Cindy has been teaching at Dance Impressions for six years.

Russell Peterson
Acting & Singing Instructor

Russell Peterson is a teacher, actor and singer with a background in art, architecture, and social psychology. He has performed throughout the United States and Europe. Mr. Russ holds various degrees and training in Architecture, Interior Design, Social Psychology, Print-Making and Drawing, and Music Performance. He is licensed in the state of Minnesota as a pre-k through adult substitute teacher, an architect, and an interior designer. He has won numerous awards in theater, music and art. He helped found and direct a community children's theater group directing over 50 children from ages 4 to 16 in all aspects of theater training. He helped establish the Minnesota Transitions charter school for at risk youth. Mr. Russ has written performance curriculum and taught for the Perpich Center For the Arts in Golden Valley. While in college he was a member of the university's top singing groups. He has performed nationally and internationally singing with a number of gouprs including the Minneapolis Vocal Consort and the local Three Rivers Chorale. He has taught in the public schools developing and teaching unique curriculum in various arts for gifted and talented youth. He is a past board member of the Minneapolis Arts Commission. Mr. Russ plays several instruments including piano, clarinet, saxophone, organ, and accordion although he will deny the last one almost every chance he gets. He has additional training and experience in fitness training, nutrition, ballet, tap, digital music editing and blood borne pathogen training. Mr. Russ teaches our acting and singing classes. He team teaches our musical theater program and he integrates acting into our performance dance program. Mr. Russ loves opening up the world of possibilities for children.

Russell Peterson
Acting & Singing Instructor

Russell Peterson is a teacher, actor and singer with a background in art, architecture, and social psychology. He has performed throughout the United States and Europe. Mr. Russ holds various degrees and training in Architecture, Interior Design, Social Psychology, Print-Making and Drawing, and Music Performance. He is licensed in the state of Minnesota as a pre-k through adult substitute teacher, an architect, and an interior designer. He has won numerous awards in theater, music and art. He helped found and direct a community children's theater group directing over 50 children from ages 4 to 16 in all aspects of theater training. He helped establish the Minnesota Transitions charter school for at risk youth. Mr. Russ has written performance curriculum and taught for the Perpich Center For the Arts in Golden Valley. While in college he was a member of the university's top singing groups. He has performed nationally and internationally singing with a number of gouprs including the Minneapolis Vocal Consort and the local Three Rivers Chorale. He has taught in the public schools developing and teaching unique curriculum in various arts for gifted and talented youth. He is a past board member of the Minneapolis Arts Commission. Mr. Russ plays several instruments including piano, clarinet, saxophone, organ, and accordion although he will deny the last one almost every chance he gets. He has additional training and experience in fitness training, nutrition, ballet, tap, digital music editing and blood borne pathogen training. Mr. Russ teaches our acting and singing classes. He team teaches our musical theater program and he integrates acting into our performance dance program. Mr. Russ loves opening up the world of possibilities for children.

Amanda Jesperson
Dance Instructor/Choreographer

Amanda Jesperson was trained under Ms. Wendy Graack. She grew up at Dance Impressions dancing since the age of four. Ms. Amanda was an award winning dancer with Dance Impressions performance companies. She has dance educator training through the Dance Teacher Summit NYC where she studied under Doug Caldwell, Mark Meismer, Debbi Dee, Mandy Mooore, Ivan Koumaev, Greg Russell, Ray Leeper and Zena Rommett. She has danced all styles of music in large and small groups as well as being a soloist. She is trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop. She has additional training through West Coast Dance Explosion as well as L.A. Dance Magic. She has taken numerous additional workshops and studied under a variety of professionals from New York to Los Angeles. Ms. Amanda is currently in training for her dance teaching certification.

Amanda Jesperson
Dance Instructor/Choreographer

Amanda Jesperson was trained under Ms. Wendy Graack. She grew up at Dance Impressions dancing since the age of four. Ms. Amanda was an award winning dancer with Dance Impressions performance companies. She has dance educator training through the Dance Teacher Summit NYC where she studied under Doug Caldwell, Mark Meismer, Debbi Dee, Mandy Mooore, Ivan Koumaev, Greg Russell, Ray Leeper and Zena Rommett. She has danced all styles of music in large and small groups as well as being a soloist. She is trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop. She has additional training through West Coast Dance Explosion as well as L.A. Dance Magic. She has taken numerous additional workshops and studied under a variety of professionals from New York to Los Angeles. Ms. Amanda is currently in training for her dance teaching certification.

Stacey Beach
Dance Instructor/Choreographer

Stacey Beach was trained at Dance Impressions under Ms. Wendy Graack. Ms. Stacey is a past member of our performance dance company. She has dance educator training from the Dance Teacher Summit NYC. She has studied under Finis Jhung, Doug Caldwell, Denise Wall, Tricia Gomez, Greg Russell, Ray Leeper, Debbi Dee, and Andy Blankenbuehler. She started dance at the age of 5 and was at Dance Impressions for 11 years until she graduated. She was a member of our performance competition company for 10 years and an assistant teacher while she was a student. She and her teams won numerous top awards at regional and national events throughout her career at Dance Impressions. She has danced all styles of music in large and small groups as well as 6 years as a soloist. She has additional training through West Coast Dance Explosion, NYCDA and L.A. Dance Magic. She has taken numerous workshops and studied under a variety of professionals in New York, Chicago, and Las Vegas. She has additional dance educator training through Break The Floor Productions in New York. She has added training in injury pervention. Ms. Stacey is currently in training for her dance teaching certification.

Stacey Beach
Dance Instructor/Choreographer

Stacey Beach was trained at Dance Impressions under Ms. Wendy Graack. Ms. Stacey is a past member of our performance dance company. She has dance educator training from the Dance Teacher Summit NYC. She has studied under Finis Jhung, Doug Caldwell, Denise Wall, Tricia Gomez, Greg Russell, Ray Leeper, Debbi Dee, and Andy Blankenbuehler. She started dance at the age of 5 and was at Dance Impressions for 11 years until she graduated. She was a member of our performance competition company for 10 years and an assistant teacher while she was a student. She and her teams won numerous top awards at regional and national events throughout her career at Dance Impressions. She has danced all styles of music in large and small groups as well as 6 years as a soloist. She has additional training through West Coast Dance Explosion, NYCDA and L.A. Dance Magic. She has taken numerous workshops and studied under a variety of professionals in New York, Chicago, and Las Vegas. She has additional dance educator training through Break The Floor Productions in New York. She has added training in injury pervention. Ms. Stacey is currently in training for her dance teaching certification.

Emily Donlon
Assistant Dance Instructor

Emily Donlon is a current Performance Company dancer at Dance Impression and has been trained under Ms. Wendy Graack. Miss Emily has additional training from a variety of sources including West Coast Dance Explosion and L.A. Dance Magic. She has danced in large and small groups and has won numerous awards. This past season she was a platinum overall winner. Emily has additional teacher training from Dance Teacher Summit NYC with Doug Caldwell, Debbi Dee, Sheila Barker, Mark Meismer, Beverly and Annie Spell, Deborah Vogel, and Judy Rice. She has training in early child development, injury prevention, and ballet technique analysis.

Emily Donlon
Assistant Dance Instructor

Emily Donlon is a current Performance Company dancer at Dance Impression and has been trained under Ms. Wendy Graack. Miss Emily has additional training from a variety of sources including West Coast Dance Explosion and L.A. Dance Magic. She has danced in large and small groups and has won numerous awards. This past season she was a platinum overall winner. Emily has additional teacher training from Dance Teacher Summit NYC with Doug Caldwell, Debbi Dee, Sheila Barker, Mark Meismer, Beverly and Annie Spell, Deborah Vogel, and Judy Rice. She has training in early child development, injury prevention, and ballet technique analysis.

Amy Hehir
Acting & Singing Apprentice

Amy Hehir has been involved with dancing, acting, and singing since she was every young. She has been at Dance Impressions for 10 years and performing for 11. She has additional training from West Coast Dance Explosion, NYCDA, LA Dance Magic, and The Hennepin Theater Trust. She has been leader in our acting and singing program this past year and now assumes the role of apprentice. You will see Miss Amy in a number of our classes learning our curriculum, doing instructional training and demonstrating. She may also substitute teach as well. In addition to singing, acting, and dancing Miss Amy also writes poetry, plays the piano and enjoys reading.

Amy Hehir
Acting & Singing Apprentice

Amy Hehir has been involved with dancing, acting, and singing since she was every young. She has been at Dance Impressions for 10 years and performing for 11. She has additional training from West Coast Dance Explosion, NYCDA, LA Dance Magic, and The Hennepin Theater Trust. She has been leader in our acting and singing program this past year and now assumes the role of apprentice. You will see Miss Amy in a number of our classes learning our curriculum, doing instructional training and demonstrating. She may also substitute teach as well. In addition to singing, acting, and dancing Miss Amy also writes poetry, plays the piano and enjoys reading.

Sherry Walz
Yoga Instructor

Sherry Walz is a trained Yoga teacher. Ms Walz teaches our Saturday morning yoga classes for youth and adults. You will get quite a workout from Ms. Walz - a great way to start your weekend.

Sherry Walz
Yoga Instructor

Sherry Walz is a trained Yoga teacher. Ms Walz teaches our Saturday morning yoga classes for youth and adults. You will get quite a workout from Ms. Walz - a great way to start your weekend.

Penny Jesperson
Costume Mistress

Penny Jesperson is one of our very capable costume mistresses. She works primarily with Performance Company C. Ms. Penney works very hard to provide us with creative and affordable customes that are age appropriate and high quality.

Penny Jesperson
Costume Mistress

Penny Jesperson is one of our very capable costume mistresses. She works primarily with Performance Company C. Ms. Penney works very hard to provide us with creative and affordable customes that are age appropriate and high quality.

Beth Bartz
Costume Mistress

Beth Bartz is another of our very capable costume mistresses. Ms. Bartz works with our Performance Company A and B, our Holiday Extravaganza, Acting Classes and small groups and soloists. She is an accomplished seamstress and works hard to provide us with creative, unusual and industry forward designs that are age appropriate, high quality and affordable.

Beth Bartz
Costume Mistress

Beth Bartz is another of our very capable costume mistresses. Ms. Bartz works with our Performance Company A and B, our Holiday Extravaganza, Acting Classes and small groups and soloists. She is an accomplished seamstress and works hard to provide us with creative, unusual and industry forward designs that are age appropriate, high quality and affordable.

Volunteer Staff
Costumes/Sets/Shows/Etc.

In order to keep our fees reasonable, Dance Impressions relies on volunteers to do many things. Every season we need dozens of volunteers to help with costumes, sets, shows, and a variety of other things. A big "hats off" to all of the amazing volunteers throughout the year who help so many children succeed. It truly does take a village.

Paris Becker, McKenzie Shelton, Garret Ailts, Cammi Ailts, Catriona Ailts, Emily Kirscht, & Kyra Peterson
Teaching Assistants

These are our vary capable teaching assistants.

Paris Becker, McKenzie Shelton, Garret Ailts, Cammi Ailts, Catriona Ailts, Emily Kirscht, & Kyra Peterson
Teaching Assistants

These are our vary capable teaching assistants.