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 also coaches 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.

Anna Gordon

Hip-Hop/Jazz Instructor

Anna Gordon is a 2018 YDE Alum originally from Savage Minnesota. Anna recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Dance Management from Oklahoma City University (OCU). Anna performed in numerous performances with the Star Dance Company, Pep Dancers, and American Spirit Dance Company while training at the Ann Lacy American School of Dance and Entertainment. At OCU Anna trained in ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre, hip-hop, voice, and partnering, as well as took numerous business classes. She performed professionally with Texas Outdoor Musical and has worked for numerous dance and musical theatre camps/studios in the Minneapolis area. Anna is thrilled to be back home teaching. As a performing artist, Anna finds joy and happiness doing what she loves daily. She hopes to share that same amount of joy with all those she encounters, performs for, and teaches.

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. 

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 earned a BA in Modern Dance from Brigham Young University. Following graduation, she moved to Seattle where she trained at Velocity Dance Center and performed with Pablo Cornejas and Rob Kitsos. She earned an MA in Dance Education from New York University in 2005. While in New York, Marie had the pleasure of working with choreographer and educator Deborah Damast, performing and developing residencies for New York City Public Schools. Following graduation, she began dancing with Clark Dance Theater in New Haven, CT, under the leadership of Judie Clark. She performed and choreographed for the company, showing work in many venues in the New England and New York area, including Rebound Festival, and Yale dancers. After relocating to the Phoenix area, she studied and danced with Frances Cohen. Marie Chamberlain has taught at the Regional Center for the Arts, the Hartford Conservatory, Albertus Magnus College, Mesa Community College, and Western Michigan University. She is certified in the Laban/Bartenieff movement system through LIMS, which she uses as a framework in her teaching and choreography. Marie Chamberlain earned an MFA in choreography from Wilson College in 2021. She continues to work teaching across the ages and disciplines, and choreographing independent projects for the stage and for film.

Lauren Warmka

Ballet Instructor

Lauren is very excited to return to Youth Dance Ensemble for her 4th year as a Ballet Instructor.  A YDE alumnus, Lauren studies ballet at the University of Minnesota where she is a senior majoring in Chemical Engineering. Last year she assisted Dixie in a new production of ALICE'S JOURNEY TO WONDERLAND, choreographing the Cheshire Cat, White Rabbit, and Queen of Hearts. 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 swimming instructor/coach.

Melaina Rairamo

 Guest Teaching Artist

Melaina is a 2016 YDE alum. The Chanhassen Dinner Theater: Music Man. The Fulton Theatre: MAMMA MIA, Madagascar. Maine State Music Theatre: I Love a Piano, Beauty and the Beast, Saturday Night Fever, Singing in the Rain, Bye Bye Birdie. The Guthrie Theater:  A Christmas Carol and Cabaret* (production cancelled due to COVID 19). Melaina is a grad from The University of Alabama with a degree in Musical Theatre and a proud member of Actors Equity Association.