Artistic Staff
Instructors: Access Remote Time Clock HERE.
Eryn Michlitsch – Artistic Director
Children’s Division Ballet, Youth Division Ballet, Pre-Professional Division Ballet and Pointe
Eryn began her 40 years of dance experience with Kay Englert, at Washington Contemporary Ballet in Tacoma, WA. She has been accepted to many professional summer programs: Pacific Northwest Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Kirov Ballet Academy, North Carolina School of the Arts, Houston Ballet Academy, Oregon Ballet Theatre, and Pennsylvania Rock School of Ballet. Eryn attended PNB, SFB and NCSA and was asked to stay on at PNB and NCSA. She has had the opportunity to study under prestigious names like: Melissa Hayden, Flemming Halby, Patricia Barker, Frank Bays, Dale Merrill and Sara de Luis. Academically, Eryn received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business/Marketing from Bethany Lutheran College. Her instruction places a large emphasis on the history, terminology, and structure of classical ballet.
Kelsey Chester – Assistant Director
Children’s Division, Youth Division, and Pre-Professional Tap and Jazz
Kelsey has been dancing since she was three-years-old. Her training started with Dance Conservatory of Southern Minnesota, in Mankato. Kelsey has eleven years of teaching experience beginning with the Dance Conservatory of Southern Minnesota, and currently the Mankato Ballet Company. Her 25 years of dance experience has given her a strong background in Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Modern. Kelsey attended Minnesota State University, Mankato where she graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations and a Minor in Dance. While there she participated in MSU Theater and Dance’s 2009 Spring Collection and the 2009 Fall Collection Dancing Communities. She also staged the production of Little Shop of Horrors for Merely Players. Kelsey is extremely excited to share her love of dance with Mankato Ballet Company.
Wendy Betters – Brand Manager
Children and Youth Division Ballet
Wendy’s dance experience began when she was 3 years old at Larkin Dance Studio learning tap, jazz and ballet. Her love for ballet grew and at the age of 13 she moved on to continue her training with Classical Ballet Academy (CBA), under the direction of Andrew and Cheryl Rist. She danced their repertoire including The Classic Nutcracker with roles in Snow, Flowers, Russian and Party Scene, Giselle, and At The Museum. After graduating in 1997 Wendy went on to study Art at the University of Minnesota, Duluth and was a dance minor under Doris Ressl. In the spring of 1999, her first choreographic work debut called Welcome to Heaven, in the Collaborative Spirits in Motion, Duluth, MN. Academically, Wendy has received a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art from the College of Visual Arts, St. Paul, MN.
Rebekah Selvey – Rehearsal Assistant & Grant Writing
Children’s, Youth and Advanced Division Ballet
Rebekah received most of her 14 years of ballet training at Mankato Ballet Company, where she graduated in 2019. During her time training at MBC she was accepted into summer programs with the Milwaukee Ballet, Ballet Arizona, San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Ballet Austin. Rebekah enjoyed dancing in many performances at MBC during the years of 2011-2019. Some of her favorite roles are The Nutcracker’s Dewdrop and Sugar Plum Fairy, as well as Sleeping Beauty’s Lilac Fairy. This is her first year teaching ballet, and she’s very excited to share her passion for expression and movement with young dancers.
Benjamin Johnson
Pre-Professional Division Ballet
Ashley Burkland
Children’s, Youth and Advanced Division Ballet
Ashley Burkland received her early training at the Kehl School of Dance, where she studied under Susan Marsden, Shannon Gallagher, and Jo Ann Janus. She was a member of the youth ballet company Wisconsin Dance Ensemble, directed by Jo Jean Retrum, during which time she performed roles in The Nutcracker, Coppélia, La Fille Mal Gardée, and Peter Rabbit Ballet. Ashley received a scholarship to study dance at the University of Arizona, where she participated in numerous dance department showcases and ballets, including Paquita, Gershwin Medley, and Carmina Burana. She also danced with the University of Arizona Pomline. Ashley completed her degree at the University of Minnesota, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Dance in 2004. She has since danced professionally with Kanopy Dance Company, Jazzworks Dance Company, Madison Contemporary Vision Dance Company, Continental Ballet Company, and Cities Classical Dance Ensemble.
While Ashley enjoys performing, her true passion lies in teaching. She has over 25 years of teaching experience at various schools across the country. Ashley Founded Ashley Ashley Ballet Arts Academy in Golden Valley, Minnesota, in 2012, serving as owner, and director until the sale of the business in 2025. Currently, she teaches at Mankato Ballet Company and also serves as a freelance teacher and choreographer. Recently, Ashley has studied with Boston Ballet, earning certification in their American Preparatory Ballet Training© program. Ashley resides in Madison Lake, Minnesota, with her husband and three children. Her all-time favorite ballet is La Fille Mal Gardée, and her favorite role to have performed in her career is Sugar Plum in The Nutcracker. Her favorite piece to have choreographed is “Rhapsody in Blue,” which was selected to perform in the Cathedral Dance Festival Gala in 2022.
Channa Puhrmann
Children’s Division Coordinator, Itty Bitty CLasses
Channa has been teaching dance and creating choreography in Mankato and the surrounding area for over 20 years. As the former artistic director of a local dance troupe, she has led dancers of all ages in performances that celebrate creativity, technique, and expression. Her dance background includes tap, jazz, ballet, dance fitness, and world fusion, reflecting a passion for both classical and contemporary forms. Channa holds a strong foundation in early childhood education and currently teaches preschool. After taking a few years away from the dance studio, she is thrilled to return to her roots and share her love of movement and music with a new generation of dancers. Channa is deeply committed to the performing arts, to teaching, and to inspiring children through the joy of dance.
Ella Potocnik
Youth and Advanced Division Modern
Ella Potocnik is currently a BFA Dance major at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Where she trains in a variety of styles including musical theatre, tap, jazz, partnering, modern, with a focus in contemporary and choreography. Over the years she has been Symposiums grand national soloist winner in 2023, been accepted to dance with Collide Theatrical Company in 2024, recently attended ACDA north central conference, and is currently dancing with 820 Dance Company. Ellas choreography has been shown in many different settings including YMCA’s dance camp, MSUs production of Lizzie the Musical, Student Dance Showcases, and the most notable being her contemporary solo premiering on the Spring Dance Concert stage. Ella has over five years of teaching experience and is so excited to share her love for dance with MBC!
Cadence Brown
Children’s Division Ballet
Cadence was born and raised in Casper, WY. She has been dancing for 18 years where she has studied ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, tap, hip-hop, modern, musical theatre, and acro. She has been teaching dance for 5 years, and has been choreographing performance pieces for 6 years. Cadence made the Wyoming All-State dance team all 4 years of high school, and choreographed pieces competed at the State Spirit Competition for her high school. She is currently a BFA dance major at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She has been accepted into intensives at Oklahoma City Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, and University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Cadence’s favorite roles include Ocean Pearl from The Little Humpback Horse, Towns Person from Missa Brevis (a Límon company production), Kathi from La Vivandière, and The Sugar Plum Fairy.
Paige Delly
Children and Youth Division Tap and JAzz
Paige started dancing at age 3 in Ohio and traveled across the country performing in regional and national competitions. She studied tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, lyrical and modern. She studied under a New York City Rockette and different Broadway performers from Newsies, Shrek the Musical, and Phantom of the Opera. Eventually she came to Indiana where she joined a professional dance group and focused more on teaching. When not at the studio, Paige spends her time studying for her master’s degree, creating gifts and crafts for her students, and being with her husband and many cats. Paige has enjoyed every show with MBC and looks forward to the years ahead!
Izabelle High
Youth Division Tap
Izabelle danced here at Mankato Ballet for 12 years. While at MBC, she trained in both ballet and tap, but now focuses more on tap. She is a student at Mankato State University and lives here in Mankato. Izabelle is looking forward to teaching her classes and working the younger dancers!
Caleb Hartwig
Youth Division Ballet & Boys Ballet
Caleb Hartwig graduatd from Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School and is now a Freshman at Bethany Lutheran College. He has been dancing for over 10 years and finished his time at MBC as a soloist in the Performing Company. He has studied many years of ballet, tap and jazz and recently attended Kansas City Ballet’s Summer Intensive program on scholarship. He is excited to teach Boys Ballet at Mankato Ballet Company.
Quinn Rassbach
Youth Division Ballet
Quinn is a graduated student from MBC and finished in the performing company as a Soloist. She has been trained at the Mankato Ballet Company since she was 3 years old, and has also trained at the Ballet West, Boston Ballet, and Texas Ballet Theatre summer programs. Quinn is a freshman at Gustavus College. While at MBC she studied ballet, jazz, and tap year-round, but has explored many other styles of dance at summer programs. Some of her favorite roles she has performed include Clara and Dewdrop in the Nutcracker, the Butterfly Fairy in A Midsummer’s Eve, and the Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty. Quinn loves to teach and is very excited to help train young dancers!
Kadence Nicholle
Children’s Division Ballet
Kadence has been dancing since she was 4 and joined Mankato ballet company when she was 9. She has also taken summer intensives at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, BalletMet, Boston Ballet, and Texas Ballet Theater. She will be attending Minnesota State University to study child development and receiving a minor in dance.
Abby Marty
Youth Division Jazz and Ballet
Abby’s Bio Coming Soon.
Evie Boyles
Youth Division Jazz
Evie has been dancing since she was 3 years old and grew up training at Rapids School of Performing Arts, where she explored a wide range of styles including ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, hip hop, modern, and musical theatre. She is currently a dance major at Minnesota State University, Mankato, where she has performed in university dance concerts and had the exciting opportunity to perform at the American College Dance Association (ACDA) North Central Conference in Minneapolis. She has always had a passion for dancing, whether that is studio, competition, or concert style dance; and she is so excited to begin teaching at Mankato Ballet Company sharing her energy and passion for dance with her students!
Student Teacher Staff
Julia Shabrack
Children’s Division Tap
Julia is a Senior at Mankato East High School. She is also a ]soloist in the Mankato Ballet Performing company. This will be her 11th year dancing at MBC, where she trains in ballet, jazz, and tap. She is excited to share her knowledge of dance with the younger dancers!
Ella Urban
Children’s Division Ballet
Ella is a Senior at Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School and has been dancing with MBC since she was 3 years old. She loves taking ballet and jazz classes and being in the MBC Performing Company as a demi-soloist. Some of her favorite roles she has performed are Clara and Clara’s Friend in the Nutcracker and Cinderella’s stepsister in Sleeping Beauty. Ever since Ella was younger she has dreamed of being a ballet teacher at MBC and is overjoyed to get this opportunity. She is so excited to be able to be a Student Teacher this year and share her love of ballet with her students!
Zella Erickson
Children’s Division Ballet
Zella currently dances at MBC. She is a Senior in high school as well as a Soloist with MBPC. She has had a passion for dance ever since she could walk. Zella has danced many styles such as Ballet, Modern, Tap, Jazz, Musical theater, African Contemporary, and Lyrical.
Zella participated in a summer intensive with the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. She has performed many roles in her years at MBC and her favorites include Clara, the Coffee Lead in the Nutcracker and Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty. Zella has always had a love for teaching, as she enjoys being able to spread her love for dance to others. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to teach at MBC and can’t wait to have an amazing year with her students.
Alton Vo
Children’s Division Ballet
Alton attends Mankato West High School, Class of 2027. She danced with Young Dance MN in her early years and has been with Mankato Ballet for over 10 years. She studies ballet and tap and can’t wait to teach Creative Movement this year!
Charlotte Cummings
Children’s Division Ballet
Charlotte is a Soloist in MBC’s Performing Company and a Senior at Mankato West High School. She takes ballet, jazz, and tap. She has attended summer intensives with Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and Ballet Royale. Her favorite roles that she has performed are Dew Drop, Clara and Snow Queen in the Nutcracker and Toto in Dorothy. Charlotte is so excited to teach this year and can’t wait to meet her students!
Olivia Carleton
Children’s Division Jazz
Olivia is a Senior at Mankato East High School. She’s been dancing at Mankato Ballet Company since she was five years old. Currently she trains in Ballet, Jazz, and Modern. She’s attended summer intensives at Kansas City Ballet and Ballet Royale where she explored many other styles of dance. She is looking forward to her fifth year in the Performing Company. She can’t wait to meet and teach younger dancers!
Gabi DeVos
Children’s Division Ballet
Gabi is a Senior at St. Peter High School. She began dancing at Mankato Ballet Company at age 4. She takes classes in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Modern throughout the year and is a part of the Performing Company. She has attended summer intensives at Ballet Austin, The School of Philadelphia Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts. Gabi has been a teacher’s assistant at MBC for the past three years and is super excited to join the teaching staff this year!
Brynn Sandmann
Children’s Division Jazz
Brynn is a Senior at Mankato West High School and has been dancing since she was 8. Brynn has been with MBC for 9 years, where she enjoys dancing with the company as well as doing ballet, tap, and jazz. She is so excited to be a Student Teacher this year!
Support Staff
Elizabeth Wagner
Office Coordinator
Elizabeth joins our team with a lifetime of passion for the dance world and decades of leadership experience. For 18 years, she lived the “dance mom” life, proudly cheering her daughter through every class, recital, and intense competition season. This firsthand experience gives her a deep, personal understanding of what studio families need to thrive.
Beyond her love for dance, Elizabeth spent years building a successful corporate career, owning her own businesses and managing operations for large corporations. Today, she is thrilled to merge her sharp professional skills with her deepest passion. She is truly back where her heart belongs and looks forward to supporting our dancers, parents, and staff every day.
Lauren Shoemaker
Costume Mistress
Lauren has been involved in costume making for many years and was one of our volunteer seamstresses when her daughter dancers with MBC. Lauren is a music instructor for Saint Peter Schools and is now hired officially as the MBC Costume Mistress.