Kay Williams Prunty

Owner/Choreographer/Teacher

Opened The Dance Academy - Kay Williams Prunty, Worthington, MN 1996

B.A. Theatre/Dance - Performance Emphasis, Luther College, Decorah, IA 1995

B.A. Public Communication, Luther College, Decorah, IA 1995

She won over 100 National & State 1st place Dance Championship titles

Miss Minnesota American Co-Ed 1989

Miss Minnesota American Pre-Teen 1984

Studied dance with Bernie Willadsen from 8-18 years old

Started gymnastics at 3 years old and held several school records for years at Worthington High School 

Teaches & Choreographs:

Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Modern, Musical Theatre, Pointe, Tap, Tumbling/Acro, Wedding (First dances, Father/Daughter, Wedding Party),  Worship/Liturgical dances, and Gymnastics Floor routines.  

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Sam Becker

Choreographer/Teacher

• M.S. K-12 School Counseling - SDSU, Brookings, SD

• Currently working on a M.A. in American History

• B.S. Social Studies Education - U of M Duluth, Duluth, MN

• B.A. Psychology - U of M Duluth, Duluth, MN

• Teaches US History and AP Psychology- Worthington High School

• Studio dance education at Summit School of Dance, Twin Cities

• Former Worthington Trojette Dance Team Coach 1994-2000, 1st state appearance in '96-'97 

• "Dance Mom" to Morgan!

Teaches & Choreographs:

Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap, Kick

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Julianne McKee-Hinkeldey

Choreographer/Teacher

• Began teaching at TDA fall of 2019

• M.S., Nutrition 

• M.A., Inter-Cultural Diversity and Communication

• B.S., Psychology/Minor, Education

• Certified Personal Trainer (C.P.T.)

• C.P.R., First Aid, AED (American Red Cross)

• Certified Health Coach 

• Certified Group Fitness Instructor 

• Certified Silver Sneakers

• Certified Living Well with Diabetes, Chronic Pain, & Chronic Conditions (C.L.W.D., C.L.W.C.P., C.L.W.C.C.)

• Trained at The Virginia Beach Ballet, K-1 grade

• Trained at O.D.U Ballet (Old Dominion University), from 2nd - 12th grade

• Besides teaching at TDA, Jullianne is a Personal Fitness Trainer/Coach at YMCA, Mankato, MN

• "Dance Mom" to Kelsey and lives in Windom

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Teaches & Choreographs:

Beginning Ballet

Shelby Kingery

Choreographer/Teacher

• B.A. Biology - Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD- 2020

• Associates Degree - Minnesota West, Worthington, MN -2017

• Master Teacher for TDA Intensives - Jazz, Hip Hop, & Contemporary

• Shelby began teaching & choreographing at TDA while in high school. 

• Studied dance at TDA for 9 years

• Captain of Worthington Trojette Dance Team, Jazz & Kick 2016

• Minnesota State High School League  Dance Team Participant 2016 & 2017

• Honored to the All-State 2016

• Nationally Competitive  Figure Skater

• Varsity High School Volleyball player at Worthington High School

Teaches & Choreographs:

Middle School/High School - Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern/Lyrical

Competition Solos & Duets

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Kya Nickel

Choreographer/Teacher

• Student at Minnesota West, Worthington, MN

• Former TDA Student for 11 years

• TDA Teacher & Choreographer for the Additional Ballet classes, Class Assistant/Substitute Teacher for several Combo Classes.  

• Kya has been choreographing and teaching at TDA for 3 years 

• Captain of the Worthington High School Girls Hockey Team 2019-2020

• Competed in Varsity Tennis, Hockey, and Track for Worthington Trojans  

Teaches & Choreographs:

Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern/Lyrical

Jacquelyn Banegas

Choreographer/Teacher

• Jackie will be attending Minnesota State University Mankato this Fall.

• Member of the MSU Maverick Dance Team and Cheer Squad

• Jackie graduated from Worthington High School with honors

• Training in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Modern, Hip Hop, Tap for 14 years

• TDA Class Assistant/Substitute Teacher for 4 years

• TDA Teacher/Choreographer  for Hip Hop, Jazz, and Lyrical for 2 years

• Captain of the Worthington Trojette Dance Team 2020-21

• Minnesota State high School Dance Team State Participant 2017

• Honored to the All-State Kick Team in 2019, All-State Jazz Team in 2020

• National Honor Society and Honors student

Teaches & Choreographs:

Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern/Lyrical

Brigette Rosenberg
Choreographer/Teacher

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• Brigette is a Teacher and Choreographer for Pre-S/K classes

• Senior at Worthington High School, Worthington, Minnesota

•  TDA Student for 14 years with Ballet being her favorite

• TDA Class Assistant/Substitute Teacher Combo Classes for 2 years.  

• Brigette is also involved with several school activities:

  • Concert, Marching, & Jazz Band playing the Alto Sax

  • Plays on the WHS Golf team 

  • President of National Honor Society

  • Treasurer of Student Council

  • Loves to paint! 

Teaches, Choreographs & Assists:

Pre-K, Lyrical, Jazz, Modern, Tap

Kalea Appel

Choreographer/Teacher

• Studying Songwriting  at Belmont University, Nashville, TN 

• Former TDA Student for 12 years

• TDA Class Assistant/Substitute Teacher Combo Classes for 4 years.  

• Choreographer at TDA for 2 years 

• Kalea has an extensive amount of stage experience in Community/School Musicals, Plays, and Music Concert Soloist

• Worship lead singer and dancer at American Lutheran Church, Worthington, MN  

Teaches & Choreographs:

Lyrical, Jazz, Modern

Mitzi Williams Goheen

Bookkeeper/Accountant

• B.S. Accounting & Finance - Mankato State University, Mankato, MN 1984

• Minor in  Computer Science - Mankato State University, Mankato, MN 1984

• Retired in 2017,  but works part-time at H&R Block, Bloomington, IL and TDA!

• Senior Accountant for Taylor Corporation, Mankato, MN 2003-2017

• Accounting Manager for Christensen Farms, Sleepy Eye, MN 1999-2003

• Controller and Consultant for Artsource, INC., New Berlin, WI 1997-1999

• Accounting Team Leader; Accounting Supervisor & Consultant  for Weyerhaeuser, Austin, MN 1993-1997

• Accountant/Controller for KAAL TV, Austin, MN 1985-1993

• Accounting Technician, Accountant Intern, Mankato State University, Business Office, Mankato, MN 1983-1984 

• Austin High School Cheerleading Coach, Austin, MN 

• Basketball cheerleader at Mankato State University, Mankato, MN

• Football & Wrestling Cheerleader for Worthington High School

• "Dance & Pagent Sister" to Kay. Mitzi  traveled, supported, and did make-up & hair for Kay

• "Dance Grandma" to her sweet granddaughter.  Again, doing make-up & hair when needed!! 

Melissa Visser

Front Desk

• B.A. Mathematics - 

• Math Teacher at Worthington Christian School

• Danced while growing up and is now a "Dance Mom" to her 3 girls!

• More info coming soon!

Mark Prunty

Front Desk and Handy-Man

• B.A. Mathematics - Luther College, Decorah, IA

• B.A. Secondary Education - Luther College, Decorah, IA

• High School Coaching Endorsement - Luther College, Decorah, IA

• Math teacher at Worthington Middle School, Worthington, MN

• 24 years as Head Wrestling Coach at Worthington High School 

• Coached --- State Champions, -- State Place Winners, --- Team State Participants

• Been Kay's  biggest supporter and best friend since 1992 and Husband since 1995

• Has danced every year in the DANCE DAD's dance from 2004 to 2019 with their children 

• Helps teach partner dance classes: Salsa, Two Step, Swing, Ballroom

• TDA's Handy Man!  

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Class Assistants

Allyson Meinders

Brigette Rosenberg

Aria Larson

Kyra Visser

Marilyn Castillo Loza

Grace McGaughey

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