About Us

Dance–N–Magic is a family friendly dance studio in St. Paul, MN.

We offer lessons in Hip Hop, Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Fitness, music, theater, and art. All of our lessons are age and developmentally appropriate. We offer private lessons, as well as group classes for toddlers, children, teens, and adults. All ages are welcome! Instruction is based on educational lesson plans to build life lessons and skills. Our classes are all inclusive and focus on FUN and building confidence! Kids love our high energy experienced instructors! Parents love our educational curriculum that keeps kids moving! Children love learning new skills and dances! Teens find a ton of enjoyment with our original choreography and personal attention to develop new skills! Adults love our flexible fitness classes and our FUN choreography and music! We strive to offer the best that dance programming has to offer! We are so confident that you will love our music, art, fitness, and dance lessons, that we offer every one a free trial class!

Our Dance–N–Magic philosophy is that dance should first and foremost be FUN! Learning DANCE to build confidence, skills, have FUN, and create MAGIC!

All of our Teachers are experienced, adult instructors. Most importantly, they have a passion for what they do! Every teacher comes from an educational and/or performance background. We also provide additional in–house training and continuing education. Instructors attend dance conventions and master classes to advance their teaching technique. We at Dance–N–Magic realize that a part of being a great teacher is to continue to be a student as well. Dance is constantly evolving, and so are we. All instructors are encouraged to keep learning new dance techniques, performance, and teaching skills.

We have one annual on–stage recital a year.

Our recital is usually in mid–June and show cases dancers from both our recreational and competition classes. We feature a family friendly hour long event including fun music, age appropriate costumes and choreography. The choreography is new and fresh each year, and makes sure to feature each dancer. The recital is highly encouraged, but not required.

Our Teachers

Anna Tilsen–Mogeni

Executive Director

My name is Anna Tilsen–Mogeni and I have been dancing Tap, Jazz, and Musical Theater since the age of 5, and teaching since I was 15. I think I have the Greatest Job in the world! That is why I started Dance–N–Magic, to be able to share my passion in an educational, family friendly environment.

Although I am originally from St. Paul, Minnesota; I went to college in Santa Rosa, CA to receive my dance certification with a teaching emphasis. It was there that I had the opportunity to study Hip Hop in depth while dancing with Fusion 415, which was a Hip Hop crew comprised of accomplished dancers who performed with many artists, including Janet Jackson. I love dancing so much, that I still perform and compete on adult dance teams. Teaching Dancercise Kids is one of my specialties. I have taught it in mobile programing around the Twin Cities under the direction of Tessa Pfeifer, the creator of this original curriculum, music, and teaching method. I have also been a lead teacher, event coordinator, curriculum developer, competition instructor, and teacher trainer for Dance Studios in the Twin Cities, until I had the wonderful opportunity to build my own, Dance–N–Magic. My husband, Cliff, and I have 2 kids. Our daughter, Kyah, is 7 yrs. old and loves to read! Our son, Joshua, is 2 yrs. old and loves trucks! One of my hobbies is volunteering at both church and with Girl Scouts!

Maria Fontana

Dance Instructor

My name is Miss Maria and I have been dancing since the age of 3. I started out in ballet, jazz and tap classes. I fell in love with ballet so I began to intensely study ballet 6 days a week. I studied with the Des Moines Ballet Company under the direction of Stephen Laurent and Martha Fasai. I have had the wonderful opportunity to dance in incredible roles in Nutcracker, Cinderella, Copellia, Swan Lake and Four Sisters.

I have had the honor to train with amazing teachers at Milwaukee Ballet Company: Jeanette Marvoka, Larry Long, and Basil Thompson. Also, I was blessed to train with David Howard at Steps, various instructors at Alvin Ailey Dance Center and Broadway Dance Center in NYC. I have been teaching ballet, Pointe, jazz, lyrical and tap dance for the past 13 years around the Twin Cities area. Along with dancing, I have done freelance artwork for Concord Jazz Label, Color Wheel Art Gallery, Courage Center, dance studios and Dance apparel shops. I am looking forward to working with Diversity Alive Theater Group. I am looking forward to learning new dance styles, new faces and growing with the Exciting–Amazing–New DANCE–n–MAGIC!!!!!

Sara Schmitt

Dance Instructor

My name is Sara Schmitt and I have lived in Minnesota my entire life. I began dancing at three years old and have loved it ever since. I am currently in my 26th year of dance classes. I am experienced in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz and Lyrical. I have been teaching dance for over fourteen years and I love it. I also work as an Early Learning and Special Education Paraprofessional for Independent School District 197.

Lazaro Valenzuela

Dance Instructor

My name is Lazaro Valenzuela and I have just recently moved to St. Paul. I was born in Hollywood, CA and moved to Sioux Falls, SD when I was 8. That is where I was first introduced to breakdancing, Hip Hop, and choreography. In these past two years, I have gotten the chance to work with famous choreographers such as Napoleon & Tabitha, Shane Sparks, Dave Scott, Brian Freedman and many more. I have been teaching dance for 1 year and currently hold the title for 3rd place International Hip Hop. I also work as a music producer and will be attending the McNally Smith College of Music.

Karly-Rose Dalnodar

Dance Instructor

Karly-Rose Dalnodar began her dance training at 4 years old in New York. After receiving merit and distinction on her Royal Academy of Dance exams she was accepted to be in the American Academy of Ballet training video for the Performance Awards. She again performed for the AAB at Sympany Space Theatre on Broadway. Karly has danced with such companies as the Hudson Valley Dance Theatre, The Denver Ballet Youth Ballet Colorado and Hannah Khan Dance. She was part of her high school team as well as the Just for Kix National dance team. Karly has coached gymnastics, taught dance and choreographed in Iowa, Florida, Georgia, and Minnesota.

Leah Eastman

Dance Instructor

My name is Leah, I began dancing at the age of four and started assisting at the age of ten and started teaching at Seventeen. I went to South St. Paul High School and was on the Varsity Dance Team and danced both Kick and Jazz Funk. I was also on a competition line from the age eight to twenty years old. I am trained in all styles of dance but love hip hop and jazz the most. I am currently studying my generals at Inver Hills Community College and want to transfer and major in special education. I love seeing the kid’s faces when they get a move after doing it over and over. I love teaching my passion of dance to the students that love to learn!

Our Location

Our St. Paul facility on Selby Ave.

features a family friendly cozy atmosphere. It houses our main office and dance wear store. The large dance room features a large mirrored wall, custom double ballet barres, large windows for lots of natural light, and a sprung dance floor to prevent injury. Our lobby has a comfortable viewing area with toys for siblings, and free wi–fi. Off–street parking is available. It also features an attached, fully enclosed, private playground.