Meet our dance instructors.
Welcome to the family.
We can’t wait to have you in class!
Raena Rasmussen
Owner & Instructor
Raena K. Rasmussen was put into dance at a very early age due to her “incredible force of energy,” as her mother has said. Today, she still has that incredible enthusiasm for life. She loves to spread joy throughout the world, and you can feel her love for children and dance in all she does.
Raena received her degree in dance with emphases in choreography, teaching, and performance. She has studied under many renowned choreographers and has lived In Bali, New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and other cities.
Raena opened Balleraena Dance Studio in 2001, which is now in its third location. Along with Balleraena, she currently runs LiRa Dance Theatre Company with partner Lisa Conlin, Meraki Dance Competition and Convention, and Miracles in Motion with Bob Holm, where they create music and dance for the community and give back to organizations dear to their hearts.
Raena is married to her eighth-grade soulmate, Aaron, and has three children: Bentley, Paris, and Summit. When Raena is not dancing (which is not very often), you can find her hiking mountains all over the globe or eating ice cream.
Email: raena@balleraenadancestudio.com
Classes: Any
Available for private lessons: Yes!
Ashlee Simonson
Instructor
Ashlee grew up in the suburbs of Denver and started both dance and gymnastics at the age of three.
While captain of her high school dance team, she competed in the 5A Division State Competition, taking home third place. Later that season, the team placed second in the small pom category at the National Dance Association National Competition in Orlando, Florida. Ashlee continued her dance career at the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs and was captain of the dance team her freshman year. She also spent a year with U. Dance at the University of South Dakota while her husband attended medical school.
Ashlee has been a part of the LiRa Dance Theatre Company since 2015 and is excited to be able to continue dancing and teaching with Balleraena Dance Studio. She loves spending time with her husband Austin, daughters Harper and Hilde, and their fluffy golden retriever Winston.
Email: balleraena.ashlee@gmail.com
Classes: Pre-School Ballet, Tap, Jazz, AcroDance (Levels Pre-School to Level 8) and Contortion
Available for private lessons: Yes!
Thomas Nguyen
Instructor
Thomas (or “Tommybahamas” to the kids!) has been dancing since 2009 and started to serve the Sioux Falls dance community in 2016.
He still competes with an all-star dance team in north Sioux City, Iowa, in addition to being a company member for LiRA Dance Theatre Company. Thomas also coaches the Harrisburg high school dance team as well as the athletes at Dynamic Dance in Brandon, South Dakota.
Although he has a world champion ring for hip-hop and jazz, Thomas’s favorite dance styles are lyrical and contemporary.
Email: tnguyen_dance@icloud.com
Classes: Lyrical, contemporary, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, jazz funk
Available for private lessons: Yes!
Kristen Jost
Instructor
Kristen Jost is a lifelong dancer who trained at the Turning Pointe School for Performing Arts in St. Clair Shores, Michigan.
She has received more than 15 years of training in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and lyrical. Kristen continued dancing in college and was co-director of Frelon Dance Company at Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, Michigan. After college, she went on to become a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation and is currently employed at Avera McKennan Hospital.
Kristen loves that she can continue her passion of dance through teaching at Balleraena and performing with the LiRa Dance Theatre Company.
Email: kristenballeraena@gmail.com
Classes: Ballet, pointe, tap
Available for private lessons: No
McKenzie Kock
Instructor
McKenzie Kock was born and raised in Sioux Falls, where she attended Balleraena Dance Studio for 15 years and was a member of the Balleraena Dance Company for three years. During this time, she traveled to New York under a dance scholarship and studied under well-known artists.
After graduating from Lincoln High School, where she participated in the dance, competitive cheer, and sideline cheer teams, McKenzie became a member of the LiRa Dance Theatre Company, which she has been part of ever since. McKenzie graduated in 2019 with a BA in exercise science and a minor in dance from Minnesota State University, Mankato, where she cheered for the football and basketball sideline cheer teams and taught at Spotlight Dance Company.
McKenzie now stays busy teaching at Balleraena and organizing the competition program. When she is not in the studio, you can find her at FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers, where she works as an exercise physiologist with the dance medicine program, assistant coaching for O'Gorman High School's competitive dance team, or making costumes for dancers across the Midwest as the co-owner of RDK Designs, LLC.
Email: mckenzie.kock@gmail.com
Classes: Technique, Ballet, Lyrical, Jazz and AcroDance (Levels Primary to Level 8)
Available for private lessons: Yes!
Lisa Conlin
Instructor
Lisa Conlin danced professionally for more than 25 years with Ballet of the Dolls Dance Company; several tap, jazz, ballet, and contemporary dance theatre companies; independent choreographers; regional and national commercials, videos, musicals, print ads, and runway shows; and touring shows to Paul Taylor Dance Studio and Macy’s Calvin Klein Dance Tour Show.
Lisa created Conlin Choreography to collaborate on and perform dances to give back to her community. She also co-owns LiRa Dance Theatre Company, cofounded the RISE UP Artist Mentorship Program, is the director and choreographer of Balleraena’s winter productions, and serves on faculty at Balleraena, FORM Fitness Boutique, and DAPA.
Lisa was awarded the South Dakota Arts Council Artist Fellowship award for artistic excellence for her choreography and a Run Project Grant for her Blue Heaven show. She is a recipient of the Live Music for Dance Minnesota Grant Program, was voted Most Original Choreography at the Northrop Dance Competition, and has choreographed four full-length shows.
Lisa's passion is creating artistic connections with her students and watching her students grow and shine their bright lights for all to see. She thanks her husband Mick and daughter Georgia for all their love and support!
Email: lisaconlin@yahoo.com
Classes: Ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre, contemporary, lyrical, pointe
Available for private lessons: Yes!
Kiana Overby
Instructor
Kiana Overby is originally from Moorpark, California, where she trained at Pam Rossi's Dance Ten (now known as Solid Gold Dance). She trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, modern, and hip-hop styles and was a member of the competition team at the studio.
Kiana was a dancer in the Moorpark Civic Ballet and a varsity member of the Moorpark High School dance team before she moved to Sioux Falls to attend Augustana University. She spent time on the Augustana Spirit Squad while pursuing a degree in sport management, graduating in 2018.
In addition to teaching dance, Kiana has a love for yoga and became an RYT 200 in 2021.
Email: kianaoverby8@gmail.com
Classes: Ballet, pre-pointe, contemporary, tap
Available for private lessons: Yes!
Regan O'Connor
Instructor
Regan O’Connor, a South Dakota native, received her formative training from Balleraena Dance Studio. She continued her dance education at Minnesota State University, Mankato, receiving her BFA in dance in 2018. She studied under Julie Kerr-Berry, Daniel Stark, Allison Doughty, and guest artists such as Toni Pierce-Sands, Uri Sands, Zenon Dance Company, Shapiro and Smith, Karla Grotting, and Marcian Silva Dos Santos.
Regan performed twice at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, with the works Television; or (And Now, Our National Anthem) and Peak, choreographed by Daniel Stark, as part of the American College Dance Association (ACDA) National Conference.
While living in the Twin Cities, Regan performed in Daniel Stark’s dance concert at the O'Shaughnessy in the fall of 2019. She is also a company member of LiRa Dance Theatre Company.
Email: reganmarieoconnor@gmail.com
Classes: Contemporary, ballet, modern
Available for private lessons: Yes!
Cheree Ishmael
Instructor
Originally from Yankton SD, Cheree has been involved with dance for 20+ years. She trained at The Academy of Dance, Judi’s Dance Studio and The Green Room Studio growing up. Over the years, She has studied ballet, jazz, tap, modern, pom, hip-hop, and lyrical/contemporary. She continued her studies after high school at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. After a year, She returned to South Dakota and started dancing with Balleraena Dance Studio. Cheree is currently dancing for LiRa Dance Theatre Company as a 4th season member. In addition to dancing, she is currently working at Avera as a Human Resource Specialist while obtaining her Bachelor degree from Bellevue University. She is excited to start teaching ballet at Balleraena and meeting all of the students!!
Email: cheree.f21@gmail.com
Classes: Ballet
Available for private lessons: Yes!
Alex Mentele
Instructor
Alex has been dancing at Balleraena since she was two years old and has been a part of the team and company at Balleraena while in high school. Alex was also a member and captain of the O’Gorman dance team. She has a love for all things dance but especially loves jazz.
Alex is currently a student at Augustana University studying biology on the premed track. Alex also loves yoga and is a certified instructor.
Email: alexmentele@gmail.com
Classes: Pom, jazz, lyrical, ballet, contemporary
Available for private lessons: Yes!
Rachel Konrad
Instructor
Rachel Konrad was born and raised in Sioux Falls, SD, and has been dancing since the age of three. She danced competitively at Champion Legacy and attended the Dance Worlds in Orlando, Florida four years in a row. Rachel also danced competitively at Sioux Falls Washington High School for four years and earned three state titles during that time. Rachel then continued her dance career with the dance team at MInnesota State University, Mankato where she earned two College Dance Team National Championships. In 2019, Rachel graduated with a degree in Exercise Science. Following graduation, Rachel chose to further her education at the South Dakota State University earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Rachel currently works as a Registered Nurse in the surgery department at Sanford and continues to pursue her love for dance by coaching the WHS dance team and judging dance competitions. When Rachel is not working, she enjoys golfing, biking, and spending time with friends and family.
Email: Coming Soon!
Classes: Coming Soon!
Available for private lessons: Coming Soon!
Celine Bernard
Instructor
Celine Bernard grew up in Jefferson, South Dakota. Her dance journey began at 5678! Dance Studio in McCook Lake, South Dakota. There, she trained primarily in ballet, jazz, lyrical, pom, and pointe. Celine also danced for the 5678! All-Star teams, including competing with their Senior and Open teams at the Dance Worlds. She also danced as part of the Dakota Valley Dance Team, and the Siouxland Civic Ballet Company.
Today, Celine is a student at Augustana University studying Communication Sciences and Disorders. She is so happy to continue her passion for dance through teaching at Balleraena.
Email: Coming Soon!
Classes: Coming Soon!
Available for private lessons: Coming Soon!
Cat Garvey
Instructor
Introducing Cat Garvey, a seasoned dance instructor with over two decades of experience in the dynamic Chicago dance scene. Cat's love for dance ignited early on, and she has since dedicated herself to mastering various styles, including ballet, pointe, lyrical, contemporary, and tap. Her training journey led her through esteemed studios like Moves Chicago and included classes at the prestigious Joffrey Ballet.
Driven by her passion for movement, Cat embarked on journeys across the country to collaborate with expert instructors and choreographers, exploring diverse styles such as Swing, Tango, Bollywood, and African dance. These experiences broadened her artistic palette and enriched her understanding of the universal language of dance.
Beyond her dance endeavors, Cat found fulfillment in teaching kindergarten for five rewarding years, discovering her natural knack for nurturing growth and learning. This innate joy seamlessly translates into her role as a dance instructor, where she finds immense satisfaction in guiding her students along their own dance paths.
In 2020, Cat embarked on a new adventure by relocating to Sioux Falls, where she eagerly immersed herself in the city's vibrant dance community. With her wealth of experience and infectious enthusiasm, Cat hopes an integral part of the Sioux Falls Dance scene, enriching the lives of her students and fellow dancers alike.
Email: Coming Soon!
Classes: Coming Soon!
Available for private lessons: Coming Soon!
Sandrine Pilaz
Instructor
Sandrine, originally from France, relocated to the United States with her family in 2010. Trained as a neuro-psychologist, she made the choice to temporarily put her career on hold to raise her four daughters, and immerse herself in American culture. Her husband, a brain researcher, led them through various cities, including Baltimore, MD, (John Hopkins university) and Durham, NC (Duke university), before they finally settled in Sioux Falls, SD, in 2019.
Sandrine's life revolves around embracing simplicity and finding nourishment and beauty in daily routines. She values activities such as walking in nature, dancing, crafting delicious meals, and fostering connections with others, all while intentionally disconnecting from technology. In 2024, she founded Nourish Collective LLC, an organization dedicated to cultivating a caring and inclusive community where individuals can enhance their overall well-being, encompassing the physical, mental, and emotional aspects, through various nourishing practices - with dance being one of her favorite modalities.
Sandrine's dance journey began in her childhood in France, where she practiced Rhythmic Gymnastics, mastering skills with a hoop, clubs, ribbon, rope, and ball until her mid-twenties. However, it was during her time in Durham that she discovered the world of ecstatic dance and contact improvisation. Embracing her love and need for dance, Sandrine now co-hosts monthly ecstatic dance events in Sioux Falls, believing that dance is a powerful healing modality accessible to everyBODY. She firmly believes that free-form movement allows individuals to transcend the confines of the mind and tap into the body's innate wisdom.
Email: Coming Soon!
Classes: Coming Soon!
Available for private lessons: Coming Soon!