Meet the Staff at Synergy Dance Center

Becoming a dance teacher has always been my dream.  Owning my own studio still feels like a dream!

I began dance at the age of 8 and have continued my training with conventions, workshops and master classes since I was a teenager. I have taken class from so many great instructors, Gus Giordano, Al Gilbert, Jo Rowan, Dan Karaty, Mandy Moore, Gil Stromming, Greg Russell, Debbie Dee, Steven Boyd and numerous others. I began my teaching career at age 16 and have enjoyed teaching dancers of all ages.

My goal is to make Synergy Dance Center a place where everyone feels at home and important. I believe that everyone CAN dance. It is not about talent, it is about passion. 

When not dancing, I enjoy spending time with my husband Tom and my  family; daughters,  Macie and Aubrie and my son-in -law Tyler.   We like to travel, spend time "up north", and get together with our family. I also love to read and scrapbook whenever time allows.

 Dance has always been my passion. I started dancing at the age of 2 and fell in love. When I was old enough I joined the Competition team and started assisting classes. Throughout my dancing years I have had classes in ballet, modern, jazz, lyrical, tap, hip hop, Indian and African. I just couldn’t get enough dancing! In elementary school I wanted to do something other than just dance but I loved dance and wanted to find something that complimented that, I found Baton Twirling!

I started twirling baton when I was seven years old. I went on to join a competitive baton team that I have twirled with for over 15 years, during which my team attended the national competition held at Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana. I have won many state and national titles both individually and with my team. I am also a certified National Baton Twirling Association International judge.

When I am not dancing, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Tyler and our son Kaison.

Hello! My name is Amy Jo Oksnevad. I grew up in Lakeville, MN and currently live in Crystal, MN.  I started out dancing  in 1995 where I took jazz and tap combination classes and moved to ballet/tap/jazz competition classes from 1997-2002.  I have had classes in ballet, modern, jazz, lyrical, tap, hip hop and African.

After high school graduation, I danced in college at the University of MN – Duluth (UMD) from 2002-2007. I graduated from UMD in 2007 with a Bachelors degree in Marketing and a minor in Dance and Psychology. I was also the secretary and president of the UMD Attitudes Dance Club in 2004 and 2005. I had the opportunity to dance in a play in Duluth called, This Room With No Mirrors.

 I went on to work as a full-time Dance Instructor at LWA, a Visual and Performing arts charter school in Golden Valley, MN from 2008-2014. Here I taught dance to boys and girls from K-8th grade. Now, I continue my dream job here at Synergy, and have had the pleasure of teaching here since 2009. When not dancing, I stay at home with our sons, Odin and Ozzie.  Erik (my hubby), Odin, Ozzie and I enjoy spending time with family and being outdoors in nature! I LOVE our SYNERGY family, and I am so pumped for another fantastic year! 

I started my first dance class on my third birthday. It was the best gift I have ever received and I still thank my parents every year for allowing me to become a dancer. I continued dancing with Dana as my instructor for the next 15 years as a companie dancer with a strong passion for ballet and pointe.

 From there I went on to the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire, where I minored in Dance with an emphasis on Kinesiology. I was also a member of the Concert Dance Company under the vision of Dr. Toni Poll-Sorensen. In addition to the core tap, jazz and ballet, I was also trained in modern, musical theatre, and Alexander Technique. My training in Alexander Technique has changed my day-to-day life and dancing dramatically, by making me more aware of where movement stems from and where it can take you.

 After graduation, I came back home and started dancing at the new Synergy Dance Center. It was great to be back in the place where I grew up. After taking classes and subbing various classes, I knew it was time to start teaching again. I am so grateful for this opportunity and look forward to leading these beautiful dancers.

 I currently work at CarSoup.com as a Data Analysis. When I am not dancing My husband, Nate and I enjoy spending time with our sons, Wendell and Sterling.

My name is Macie Riste and I’m from Rosemount, MN. I started dance when I was 2 years old and have danced many styles including: Jazz, Modern, Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, tap, hip-hop and musical theatre. I was a member of Synergy's Companie Intensive Program for over 10 years and danced as a part of Rosemount High School's Dance Department. While at Rosemount High School I participated in and choreographed for many of their shows including; OnStage, Plays, Dance Shows and The Modern Company directed by Christina Morris. Along with dance I also have developed a love for Baton Twirling. I have been a part of a Regional and National award winning team for over ten years!

I look forward to dancing with you! 

My parents first enrolled me in dance when I was 5 because I was so incredibly shy. While I maintained quite a bit of that shyness throughout my school years, the studio and the stage became my safe place. My instructors nurtured and encouraged me to be my best self, both within the walls of the studio and out in the world. It's that confidence that I want to give every dancer that I have the privilege to work with.

I have learned that everyday that I get to step into a dance studio is a blessing and one that I will never take for granted.

I am thrilled to be back where my dance journey started! I grew up dancing at Brenda's School of Dance and then started teaching after I graduated. I learned not just how to dance, but to be the best teacher I could possibly be from Ms. Dana. Most recently, I spent many years teaching recreational and competitive students at JAMM Dance in Rosemount prior to their closing. Finding myself back "home" is a gift and I am so excited to be a part of the Synergy Family - I can't wait to dance with you!