OUR STORY
In order to accomplish our mission as a school, Acts Dance has three Directors who function together as a team! We all enjoy our time in the classroom teaching dance, and our distinct director roles allow us to work within our strengths. We enjoy this crazy journey and have a lot of fun together. Among us, we have seven kids, and we value our time as moms as much as our time at the studio. We are often mistaken for sisters... but we're just sisters in Christ!
​
-Heather, Karen, & Amanda
​​Our school established as a non-profit organization in 2018. As Acts Dance, we have journeyed from St. Luke Catholic Church, to OAW Indoor Sports Complex, to come full circle, safely landing back at Elmbrook Church, where we had our beginnings as a 15-year ministry named Steps of Grace.
​
Our kid-focused and family-friendly approach sets the tone for our commitment to Acts Dance families: to provide high-quality dance instruction in age-appropriate ways, to equip your student to express their love of God through the gift of dance, and to honor God with our music selections, attire, and attitudes!​​
TEAM
We are stronger together! Our teaching team is filled with both seasoned professionals and fresh young talent, all working towards the same common goals for children's growth.
Using a written syllabus ensures that our team pulls together in the same direction, and our staff have been carefully chosen for both their abilities and their hearts to serve.​
DIRECTORS
Amanda Struebing
Director of Business Management
Modern Instructor
Amanda Struebing earned a BA in Arts Administration with a minor in Dance in 2001 from the University... read more
Heather Keckeisen
Director of Student Development Ballet Instructor
Karen Marinin
Director of Ministry Outreach
Modern & Worship Instructor
Karen Marinin received a BFA in Theater and Dance performance from Northern Illinois... read more
TEACHERS
.jpg)
Melissa Anderson
Ballet Instructor​
Melissa Anderson has performed in Soloist and Principal Roles with Milwaukee Ballet, Ballet... read more
Maddy Leskinen
Ballet Instructor
Maddy Leskinen began her dance training at Steps of Grace Ballet School... read more​
Bethany Panka
Ballet Instructor​
​Bethany Lonski received her dance training from Steps of Grace Ballet School. She attended... read more
Joey Rockman
Modern/Contemporary Instructor
Joey Rockman attended UW Madison to pursue a degree in trumpet performance and a... read more
Maelee Thomas
Ballet & Contemporary Instructor
Maelee Thomas danced professionally for Magnum Opus Ballet in Madison, WI... read more
Mia Angel
Ballet Instructor​​​
Mia is a recent graduate of Acts Dance and is excited to share her joy of dance with our young dancers.
.jpg)
Amia Harwood
Ballet & Hip Hop Instructor
As an Acts 17:28 Dance graduate, Amia is excited to teach students how to express worship through... read more
Rylie Rekowski
Preschool Ballet Instructor
Rylie is excited to share her love of dance with the next generation of dancers at Acts Dance.
Millie Rockman
Preschool Dance Instructor
Millie danced at Acclaim Studio of Dance for 15+ years before making a move to Wisconsin... read more
Hannah West
​- Hip Hop & Modern Instructor​​
Samantha Funk
Ballet & Modern Instructor
Samantha Funk is a performer, dance instructor, and choreographer in the Milwaukee metropolitan... read more
Emma Krueger
Ballet Instructor
Emma began her dance training at the age of 7 with Steps of Grace Ballet School... read more
Alexsandra Rockman
Ballet Instructor
Alexsandra Rockman received her BFA in Dance Performance from Northern Illinois University. She... read more
Lauren Sells
Ballet Instructor
As an Acts 17:28 Dance graduate, Lauren is excited to inspire young dancers in Godly worship... read more
Jackie VanPatten Wild
Modern Instructor
Jackie VanPatten Wild received her BFA in Dance from Cornish College of the Arts... read more
GUEST INSTRUCTORS
​We welcome our Guest Instructors and former faculty members as substitute teachers, who share their wealth of knowledge and love of dance with our students.
​​
A special thank you to Jennifer Miller of Minnesota Ballet for her encouragement and shaping of our ballet curriculum.
.jpg)
Mia Bennett
Hip Hop & Contemporary Instructor
Mia Bennett, a graduate of Acts Dance, trained under Malcolm Nieves and is excited to share her love of... read more
Kimberley Kaminski
Contemporary Instructor
Kimberley Kaminski attended Liberty University, as well as Randolph Macon Women’s College... read more
Glorielle Niedfeldt
Modern & Contemporary Instructor
Raised in Chicago, Illinois, Glorielle studied Ballet, Jazz, Modern and West African with Dance Gallery... read more
Kirstin Yoder
Preschool Dance Instructor
Kirstin Yoder first developed her love of dance at Nancy Sauer School of Dancing in Terre Haute, IN ...read more
Brooke Funk
Ballet & Contemporary Instructor
Brooke Funk received her full dance training as a student at Steps of Grace Ballet School... read more
Lindsey Kelly
Ballet & Modern Instructor
Lindsey Kelly received a BA in dance, along with a Business minor at the University of Wisconsin... read more
.jpg)
Malcolm Nieves
Hip Hop Instructor
Malcolm Nieves is a choreographer / street dancer, youth minister and Praise Dance Director of Walking... read more
Dena Ziebell
Adult Dance Instructor
Dena Ziebell has a heart to see other adult women lean into good self care through movement and... read more
Connie Hurley-Pronley
Praise Moves & Adult Dance Instructor
Dance has been a part of Connie’s life, in some form, since she was four years old. Her dance roles have... read more
Sarah McClure
Ballet & Contemporary Instructor
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Acts 17:28 Current Board (from left to right)
​​
Jim Eichholz VICE PRESIDENT | Shawn Prell TREASURER | Krista Heinen SECRETARY | Heidi Krueger | Craig Rekowski PRESIDENT | Olen Johnsen​