Sue Lass - Owner & Head Coach
Bio: I have been dancing since I was 3 years old when my mom enrolled me in ballet classes. I went from being a dance student, to a member of the high school Kick and Pom squad, to an assistant dance instructor in my hometown of Ely, MN and was active in school and community theatrical performances. During college, I took dance classes just for fun!
After moving to Barnesville in 1989, I started out by assisting the community dance instructor with a few classes. When she retired, I continued to offer classes with enrollment of approximately 45 students in the beginning. The program grew each year and I began running the classes through the local Community Education Program, where student enrollment increased to 150 dancers. In 2006, I decided to strike out on my own and created Suz Dance Studio, setting up a dance space in an old church, complete with a maple wood dance floor and a wall of mirrors! We now offer ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, pom, and kick styles of dance along with three competition teams. I have two amazing assistants, Samantha Stahl and Dayna Hoppe, and I wouldn't be where I am today without them!!
Hobbies: When I am not teaching dance, creating choreography, ordering costumes, preparing for performances, or traveling to competitions, I enjoy being outdoors walking my four border collies or x-country skiing and spending time with my family. Dance has given me the opportunity to love what I do and do what I love everyday!
Bio: I have been dancing since I was 3 years old when my mom enrolled me in ballet classes. I went from being a dance student, to a member of the high school Kick and Pom squad, to an assistant dance instructor in my hometown of Ely, MN and was active in school and community theatrical performances. During college, I took dance classes just for fun!
After moving to Barnesville in 1989, I started out by assisting the community dance instructor with a few classes. When she retired, I continued to offer classes with enrollment of approximately 45 students in the beginning. The program grew each year and I began running the classes through the local Community Education Program, where student enrollment increased to 150 dancers. In 2006, I decided to strike out on my own and created Suz Dance Studio, setting up a dance space in an old church, complete with a maple wood dance floor and a wall of mirrors! We now offer ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, pom, and kick styles of dance along with three competition teams. I have two amazing assistants, Samantha Stahl and Dayna Hoppe, and I wouldn't be where I am today without them!!
Hobbies: When I am not teaching dance, creating choreography, ordering costumes, preparing for performances, or traveling to competitions, I enjoy being outdoors walking my four border collies or x-country skiing and spending time with my family. Dance has given me the opportunity to love what I do and do what I love everyday!
Samantha Akers - Assistant Coach
Bio: I have been teaching and coaching dance at Suz Dance Studio for the past 11 years, but I have been dancing with Sue since I was in 1st grade! I live, breathe, and sleep dance. It is what I know best and I absolutely LOVE doing it! My favorite style to choreograph and teach is Hip-Hop. Hobbies: When I am not at the Studio, groovin' it up, I am either bowhunting for deer or turkeys, bowfishing, ice fishing, crafting, snapping photos, or choreographing! |
Dayna Hoppe - Assistant Coach
Bio: I have been teaching/coaching with Sue for the past 9 years. I started teaching dance for Sue in the town of Rothsay, MN. My dance career began with Sue when I was just 5 years old! My favorite style of dance is lyrical. Hobbies: When I'm not working or dancing, I love spending time with my husband & our 9-year old son. |