952-456-0030

Next Step Dance Studio

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    • Home
    • Our Studio
      • Our Team
      • Who we Are
      • NSDS Apparel
      • Important Dates
    • Our Classes
      • Recreation
      • Competition
      • Register
      • Summer Schedule
      • Post Dance Team Training
    • Our Dancers
    • Tuition & Info
    • Studio News
      • Next Step Blog
      • Next Step Newsletters
    • Contact Us

952-456-0030

Next Step Dance Studio

Next Step Dance StudioNext Step Dance StudioNext Step Dance Studio

Signed in as:

filler@godaddy.com

  • Home
  • Our Studio
    • Our Team
    • Who we Are
    • NSDS Apparel
    • Important Dates
  • Our Classes
    • Recreation
    • Competition
    • Register
    • Summer Schedule
    • Post Dance Team Training
  • Our Dancers
  • Tuition & Info
  • Studio News
    • Next Step Blog
    • Next Step Newsletters
  • Contact Us

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About Us

Suzie Benedict

Suzie Benedict

Suzie Benedict

Owner, Teacher & Choreographer


Our owner Suzie brings a wealth of experience and dedication to Next Step Dance Studio.  It was her passion for dance and her students that when Mauri retired she knew she needed to start Next Step Dance Studio.


 Suzie's journey in dance began at Winona State University, where she graduated in 1999 with a Bach

Owner, Teacher & Choreographer


Our owner Suzie brings a wealth of experience and dedication to Next Step Dance Studio.  It was her passion for dance and her students that when Mauri retired she knew she needed to start Next Step Dance Studio.


 Suzie's journey in dance began at Winona State University, where she graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts, with a specialization in dance. Her commitment to the art form is evident through her pursuit of lifelong learning. 


Suzie actively seeks out opportunities to enhance her skills and knowledge by participating in master classes, workshops, and conventions. 

Robyn Ramos

Suzie Benedict

Suzie Benedict

Teacher & Choreographer


 Robyn is a highly accomplished dancer with a rich and diverse background in various disciplines. Her passion for dance began in 1976 when she started training at Mauri's School of Dance. 


With a competitive background in dance, gymnastics, and pageants, Robyn brings a unique skill set and perspective to her dance ca

Teacher & Choreographer


 Robyn is a highly accomplished dancer with a rich and diverse background in various disciplines. Her passion for dance began in 1976 when she started training at Mauri's School of Dance. 


With a competitive background in dance, gymnastics, and pageants, Robyn brings a unique skill set and perspective to her dance career. 


 As an experienced teacher, Robyn has been sharing her love of dance with others for over 34 years. She taught at Mauri's School of Dance until the owner retired, inspiring countless students along the way. 


Whether on stage or in the classroom, Robyn's dedication to her craft and her students is truly inspiring. 

 



Riley Stone

Suzie Benedict

Riley Stone

Teacher & Choreographer


Riley is an experienced dancer and choreographer who spent 15 years at Mauri's School of Dance, dancing recreationally and competitively and working with choreographers from around the US. 


She received a minor in Dance from Gustavus Adolphus College, where she developed her choreographic skills and expanded her know

Teacher & Choreographer


Riley is an experienced dancer and choreographer who spent 15 years at Mauri's School of Dance, dancing recreationally and competitively and working with choreographers from around the US. 


She received a minor in Dance from Gustavus Adolphus College, where she developed her choreographic skills and expanded her knowledge of various dance genres. 


After graduating in 2018, she returned to Mauri's School of Dance as a teacher and choreographer until the owner retired in 2023. Throughout her career, Riley has demonstrated a deep commitment to dance and has earned widespread recognition and acclaim for her talent and dedication.

About Us

Emma Tobias

Ashle Smallen

Ashle Smallen

Teacher & Choreographer


 Emma has been dancing since she was 3 years old. While dancing for Mauri's School of Dance she won numerous regional and national awards, some of which included; the Self Choreography Award for her solo and Miss Headliner in 2022. 


Emma was also a 6-year Varsity member for her high school dance team. She found a pas

Teacher & Choreographer


 Emma has been dancing since she was 3 years old. While dancing for Mauri's School of Dance she won numerous regional and national awards, some of which included; the Self Choreography Award for her solo and Miss Headliner in 2022. 


Emma was also a 6-year Varsity member for her high school dance team. She found a passion for teaching when she began student-teaching in 8th grade. She fell in love with working with young dancers, cultivating their passion for learning and growing through dance.


 She is actively seeking a degree in Kinesiology and Coaching from the University of Minnesota, and is excited to use this knowledge to better herself as a teacher and coach. 

Ashle Smallen

Ashle Smallen

Ashle Smallen

Teacher & Choreographer

 

Ashle's passion for dance has been the guiding force in her life for over 30 years. She spent 15 years training at Mauri’s School of Dance, with 7 of those years as an assistant teacher, where she shared her love of dance and nurtured the next generation of dancers.

In 2009, Ashle earned her BFA in Dance from Arizo

Teacher & Choreographer

 

Ashle's passion for dance has been the guiding force in her life for over 30 years. She spent 15 years training at Mauri’s School of Dance, with 7 of those years as an assistant teacher, where she shared her love of dance and nurtured the next generation of dancers.

In 2009, Ashle earned her BFA in Dance from Arizona State University. During her time there, she had the opportunity to train with choreographers specializing in a wide range of styles from around the world. She also served as a guest teacher at various dance studios throughout the Phoenix area.

Following college, Ashle moved to San Francisco, where she worked with several modern and contemporary choreographers and dance companies, while also teaching contemporary, tap, and ballet at two local studios.

Upon returning to Minnesota, Ashle continued to share her passion by teaching private lessons and master classes at numerous schools.

Ashle is dedicated to helping her students connect with dance in ways that promote personal growth, while fostering confidence, determination, and a strong work ethic that extends beyond the studio and into their everyday lives.

Traci Darnell

Traci Darnell

Traci Darnell

Office Manager

  

Traci is a valuable member of our team with over 20 years of experience as an office manager at Mauri’s School of Dance. She brings a unique blend of creativity and organizational skills to our dance studio and uses her extensive background in dance to connect with our dancers on a personal level and support their growth a

Office Manager

  

Traci is a valuable member of our team with over 20 years of experience as an office manager at Mauri’s School of Dance. She brings a unique blend of creativity and organizational skills to our dance studio and uses her extensive background in dance to connect with our dancers on a personal level and support their growth and development.


Traci handles all the administrative tasks necessary to keep our dance studio running smoothly and her warm and approachable demeanor fosters a sense of community among our dancers and staff.


In her free time, Traci enjoys camping with her family, event planning and interior decorating.

  


Amy Runck

Traci Darnell

Traci Darnell

Office Admin & Marketing

  

Amy is a key member of the Next Step Dance Studio team, handling marketing, advertising, website upkeep, and office administration. As President of the Booster Club for competition lines, she leads fundraising, team-building events, and manages competition fees.


A lifelong dancer, Amy began training at Mauri's Sch

Office Admin & Marketing

  

Amy is a key member of the Next Step Dance Studio team, handling marketing, advertising, website upkeep, and office administration. As President of the Booster Club for competition lines, she leads fundraising, team-building events, and manages competition fees.


A lifelong dancer, Amy began training at Mauri's School of Dance at age 3 and spent 15 years there. Her two daughters now dance at Next Step Dance Studio. 


 When she's not working or shuttling her three kids to various activities such as dance, baseball, football, and wrestling, Amy enjoys camping, reading and spending quality time with loved ones.  


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Next Step Dance Studio

17645 Juniper Path, Suite 100, Lakeville, Minnesota 55044, United States

952-456-0030

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