Our TDA Staff

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.

Sam Becker
Choreographer/Teacher
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M.S. K-12 School Counseling - SDSU, Brookings, SD
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Currently working on a M.A. in American History
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B.S. Social Studies Education - U of M Duluth, Duluth, MN
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B.A. Psychology - U of M Duluth, Duluth, MN
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Teaches US History and AP Psychology- Worthington High School
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Studio dance education at Summit School of Dance, Twin Cities
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Former Worthington Trojette Dance Team Coach 1994-2000, 1st state appearance in '96-'97
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"Dance Mom" to Morgan!
Teaches & Choreographs:
Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap, Kick

Julianne McKee-Hinkeldey
Choreographer/Teacher
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Began teaching at TDA fall of 2019
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M.S., Nutrition
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M.A., Inter-Cultural Diversity and Communication
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B.S., Psychology/Minor, Education
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Certified Personal Trainer (C.P.T.)
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C.P.R., First Aid, AED (American Red Cross)
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Certified Health Coach
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Certified Group Fitness Instructor
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Certified Silver Sneakers
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Certified Living Well with Diabetes, Chronic Pain, & Chronic Conditions (C.L.W.D., C.L.W.C.P., C.L.W.C.C.)
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Trained at The Virginia Beach Ballet, K-1 grade
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Trained at O.D.U Ballet (Old Dominion University), from 2nd - 12th grade
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Besides teaching at TDA, Jullianne is a Personal Fitness Trainer/Coach at YMCA, Mankato, MN
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"Dance Mom" to Kelsey and lives in Windom
Teaches & Choreographs:
Beginning Ballet

Shelby Kingery
Choreographer/Teacher
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B.A. Biology - Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD- 2020
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Associates Degree - Minnesota West, Worthington, MN -2017
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Master Teacher for TDA Intensives - Jazz, Hip Hop, & Contemporary
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Shelby began teaching & choreographing at TDA while in high school.
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Studied dance at TDA for 9 years
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Captain of Worthington Trojette Dance Team, Jazz & Kick 2016
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Minnesota State High School League Dance Team Participant 2016 & 2017
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Honored to the All-State 2016
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Nationally Competitive Figure Skater
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Varsity High School Volleyball player at Worthington High School
Teaches & Choreographs:
Middle School/High School - Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern/Lyrical
Competition Solos & Duets

Kalea Appel
Choreographer/Teacher
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Studying Songwriting at Belmont University, Nashville, TN
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Former TDA Student for 12 years
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TDA Class Assistant/Substitute Teacher Combo Classes for 4 years.
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Choreographer at TDA for 2 years
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Kalea has an extensive amount of stage experience in Community/School Musicals, Plays, and Music Concert Soloist
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Worship lead singer and dancer at American Lutheran Church, Worthington, MN
Teaches & Choreographs:
Lyrical, Jazz, Modern

Kya Nickel
Choreographer/Teacher
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Freshman at Minnesota West, Worthington, MN
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Former TDA Student for 11 years
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TDA Class Assistant/Substitute Teacher for ballet and Combo Classes.
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Kya has been choreographing and teaching at TDA for 2 years
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Captain of the Worthington High School Girls Hockey Team 2019-2020
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Competed in Varsity Tennis, Hockey, and Track for Worthington Trojans
Teaches & Choreographs:
Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern/Lyrical

Jacquelyn Banegas
Choreographer/Teacher
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Jackie is a Senior at Worthington High School
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Training in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Modern, Hip Hop, Tap for 14 years
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TDA Class Assistant/Substitute Teacher for 3 years
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TDA Teacher/Choreographer for Hip Hop, Jazz, and Lyrical for 1 year
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Captain of the Worthington Trojette Dance Team
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Minnesota State high School Dance Team State Participant 2017
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Honored to the All-State Kick Team in 2019, All-State Jazz Team in 2020
Teaches & Choreographs:
Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern/Lyrical

Mitzi Williams Goheen
Bookkeeper/Accountant
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B.S. Accounting & Finance - Mankato State University, Mankato, MN 1984
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Minor in Computer Science - Mankato State University, Mankato, MN 1984
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Retired in 2017, but works part-time at H&R Block, Bloomington, IL and TDA!
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Senior Accountant for Taylor Corporation, Mankato, MN 2003-2017
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Accounting Manager for Christensen Farms, Sleepy Eye, MN 1999-2003
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Controller and Consultant for Artsource, INC., New Berlin, WI 1997-1999
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Accounting Team Leader; Accounting Supervisor & Consultant for Weyerhaeuser, Austin, MN 1993-1997
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Accountant/Controller for KAAL TV, Austin, MN 1985-1993
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Accounting Technician, Accountant Intern, Mankato State University, Business Office, Mankato, MN 1983-1984
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Austin High School Cheerleading Coach, Austin, MN
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Basketball cheerleader at Mankato State University, Mankato, MN
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Football & Wrestling Cheerleader for Worthington High School
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"Dance & Pagent Sister" to Kay. Mitzi traveled, supported, and did make-up & hair for Kay
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"Dance Grandma" to her sweet granddaughter. Again, doing make-up & hair when needed!!

Mark Prunty
Front Desk and Handy-Man
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B.A. Mathematics - Luther College, Decorah, IA
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B.A. Secondary Education - Luther College, Decorah, IA
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High School Coaching Endorsement - Luther College, Decorah, IA
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Math teacher at Worthington Middle School, Worthington, MN
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24 years as Head Wrestling Coach at Worthington High School
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Coached --- State Champions, -- State Place Winners, --- Team State Participants
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Been Kay's biggest supporter and best friend since 1992 and Husband since 1995
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Has danced every year in the DANCE DAD's dance from 2004 to 2019 with their children
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Helps teach partner dance classes: Salsa, Two Step, Swing, Ballroom
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TDA's Handy Man!