Meet the Staff
Dana Riste
Owner/Director/Instructor
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.
Aubrie Klotz
Office Manager/Instructor
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 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 and our sons.
Bridget Hyde
Customer Care Team
My name is Bridget and to be completely transparent, I don’t dance! Never have. However, I support those who do!
I consider myself to be creative, musical, and I appreciate the arts. I’ll happily greet you at the door, answer your phone call, and will assist you with your store purchase or other potential needs at the front desk.
I look forward to getting to know you. See you soon!
Jessie Huebsch
Instructor
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!
Kamrey Humann
Instructor
Bio Coming Soon!
Missie Kane
Instructor
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.
Lorelei Noire
Instructor
Bio Coming Soon!
Autumn Ohlhues
Instructor
I started dancing when I was two years old at a small one-room studio in Lonsdale, and when I was six, I started dancing at Synergy after moving to Farmington. I joined Synergy’s competition team when I was eight and danced competitively through high school for 10 years. I grew up dancing a little bit of everything, including hip hop, jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, lyrical, and musical theater. My favorite styles are contemporary and hip hop because I love the emotion, creativity, and self-expression that come with it! During college at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, I continued dancing through various clubs while also beginning to teach.
Synergy has always felt like a second home to me, so getting to come back and teach is really special. I hope to give every dancer that same feeling while helping them build confidence, be creative, and feel comfortable being themselves. Outside of dance, I work in finance at Colliers and enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and dog. I love staying active, being outdoors, traveling, reading, drawing, and going on walks or bike rides. I’m so excited to be back at Synergy and share my love of dance with you!
Macie Riste
Instructor
I started dancing at age two and have been in love with it ever since. My background includes ballet, jazz, modern, hip-hop, and tap, and I had the privilege of being part of Synergy’s Companie program for over 10 years.
In my classes I like blending technical skills with creative expression, and I'm dedicated to helping each student reach their fullest potential while fostering a supportive and inspiring environment.
When I’m not teaching dance, I work in a laboratory at Mayo Clinic. You can often find me curled up with a good book, trying a new baking recipe or out hiking through nature.
I look forward to dancing with you soon!
Samantha Saffle
Instructor
Hey there!
My name is Samantha Saffle, but you can call me Sam.
Ever since I started dance at 3 years old, I told my family I was going to be a dance teacher. My dream became a reality! I am blessed to have been dancing for over 20 years. Many of those years consisted of competitions where I competed jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, ballet, and many productions. I was also part of the NHSDA chapter where I was president. I am so grateful for what dance(and Synergy) has given me and for the relationships I have made while dancing here. Synergy has always felt like a second home to me and I’m excited to be not just the student, but a teacher now!
Outside of being a dance instructor at night, I am a teacher during the day. When I’m not busy teaching little ones, you can find me snowmobiling, dirt biking, UTVing, hunting, fishing, and crafting. You can find me anywhere outdoors or in my craft room!
I am excited to dance with you here at Synergy!
Elena Toninato
Instructor
The performing arts have always been a huge part of Elena’s life. She has spent years both competing in and teaching both dance and gymnastics, and her love of performing eventually led her to the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Theatre and Drama.
Elena’s dance background includes competitive dance, including Poms, as well as training and teaching in multiple styles. She also competed in gymnastics and went on to coach competitive gymnastics teams. Her experience in both dance and gymnastics eventually led her to develop and teach Acro, where she loves combining strength, flexibility, technique, and safe progressions to help dancers build skills and confidence.
Elena is also a former studio owner, and her years as both a teacher and studio owner have given her a unique perspective on helping dancers grow not only as performers, but as confident and well-rounded individuals.
For Elena, the best part of teaching is watching a dancer accomplish something they once thought they couldn’t do. Outside of the studio, Elena is also a proud dance mom to her 9-year-old daughter, who keeps her connected to the dance world from a parent’s perspective as well. She is excited to be back in the studio, sharing her love of dance and helping dancers discover just how much they are capable of!