Leeanne "Dixie" Rairamo

Artistic Director

Dixie Rairamo received her early training with Barbara Lotsberg and the Minnesota Dance Theatre’s Urban Arts Program. In 1981, she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dance from Kansas State University where she was a recipient of a Mistler Creativity Scholarship. She established Youth Dance Ensemble in 1991 as a youth performance company and the training school followed in 2001. In addition to her responsibilities with the Youth Dance Ensemble, Ms. Rairamo has instructed and choreographed throughout the metro area. A favorite dance memory is her three year contract at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in Lee, Massachusetts where she worked alongside such greats as Judith Jamison, Mark Morris, and members of the New York City Ballet. In recent years, she has been a funding panelist at MRAC and volunteers at STAGES Theater.

Bekah Gudim Berry

Associate Director

Bekah Berry is a professional choreographer and director, holding a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Dance Performance from Oklahoma City University. Her passion for dance and young people collides at Youth Dance Ensemble where she directs the tap and musical theater program. She previously coached the Burnsville Swing Team, a performance group that performs West Coast Swing around the community. She spent recent years in New York City where she trained young artists at Artistree Performing Arts and directed and produced the Campy Cabaret. Favorite creative projects include: 42nd Street (Ordway), White Christmas (Duluth Playhouse), the world premiere of What Do You Do With an Idea? (Stages Theater Company), and Modern Dance Project (Youth Dance Ensemble).  Bekah received her first dance training from Dixie Rairamo and is delighted to be back in the place that shaped her.

Lauren Wenner

Ballet Instructor/Development Assistant

Lauren Wenner is excited to continue teaching at Youth Dance Ensemble as a Ballet instructor in addition to her new role as Development Assistant. A YDE alumnus, Lauren studied ballet at the University of Minnesota while pursuing her degree and now works full-time as an engineer. She has performed in CAROUSEL at Bloomington Artistry, and with Continental Ballet’s SLEEPING BEAUTY. Lauren has extensive experience working with youth as both a dance instructor and as Assistant Director for St. Peter Middle School's theater program.

Kirsten Iiams

Ballet Instructor

Kirsten Iiams comes to us after 12 years and 21 shows at The Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. Favorites include Cats(Victoria), Seven Brides For Seven Brothers(Dorcas), Oklahoma(Dream Laurie), and Brigadoon. She has also performed with Ballet Of The Dolls, Red River Dance & Performing Company, Riverside Ballet Arts, at Radio City Music Hall, the theaters of Russia, and on the seas in between. She was also co founder and artistic director of Bismarck Dance Theatre and school, Teaching credits include Red River Dance, Bismarck Dance Theatre, The Lundstrum Center, Chanhassen Theater camps, River Valley, & Riverside Ballet Arts. Choreography credits include The Music Man, South Pacific, Anyone can Whistle, and assistant for Evita, Cats, Seven Brides, Annie, & Anything Goes; just to name a few! Kirsten has trained with The Joffrey Ballet, The San Francisco Ballet, Hartford Ballet, Riverside Ballet Arts, David Howard, Luigi, and Nanette Charisse. 

Elayna Sitzman

Jazz Instructor

Elayna Sitzman is a professional dancer, actor, and singer. Sitzman began her training under Christa Anderson-Hill, and went on to study at Hope College, earning her Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Spanish. At Hope, she trained under the direction of Matthew Farmer, danced as a company member with H2 Dance Co. and StrikeTime Dance Theater, and served as the artistic director of the Ballet Movement Lab club. Since graduating, Sitzman has danced with Collide Theatrical Dance Company under the direction of Regina Peluso. Sitzman is a passionate instructor and choreographer, working with dancers of various ages, abilities, and genres.

Elly Stahlke

Jazz Instructor

Elly grew up dancing both competitively and non-competitively at various Twin Cities dance studios. She graduated from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, studying Theatre Arts and Dance, finishing with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance. Elly is currently a teaching artist in various capacities throughout the Twin Cities. She teaches and choreographs for several studios in the area, as well as teaching theatre and dance for several companies like Chanhassen Dinner Theatres and Hennepin Theatre Trust. In addition to theatre and dance, Elly also enjoys making and teaching music and visual art. Elly is excited to share her passion with the students at YDE!

Marie Stanek Chamberlain

Modern Instructor

Marie Stanek Chamberlain is a dance artist and educator. She has taught many different age levels and dance disciplines, including at the university level. Marie holds a BA in Modern Dance from Brigham Young University, an MA in Dance Education from New York University, and an MFA in Choreography from Wilson College. She has performed with Clark Dance Theater, Pablo Cornejas, Deborah Damask and Frances Cohen. Marie has choreographed for musical theater, live modern dance works, and also for film. She is also certified in the Laban/Bartenieff work, which she uses as both a pedagogical and choreographic tool.