Jana Hirsch

 

Jana has over 25 years of experience teaching jazz, ballet, musical theater, hip-hop, and tumbling. In addition to various gigs as an actor, musician, and radio DJ, she is an accomplished dance teacher and choreographer whose credits include work for GAP Kids, TJ Maxx, Mall of America, Easter Seals, Great American Model Search and various theater productions including 13 the Musical, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown and The Wiz. Her students have been seen working professionally in commercials and programs for NBC, Target, Best Buy, Walt Disney World, GAP Kids, Nickelodeon, Mall of America and  the Detroit Pistons.

 

Jana's performance groups have won various dance awards both regionally and nationally. She has served on the fine arts faculty of Shattuck St. Mary's School, as well as several national dance competitions and workshops. She was also a featured dancer on the Ellen Degeneres show (which is a long story involving a snake, a sleeping baby and a ninja - but it's worth hearing). She holds a BA degree from St. Olaf College.

Alessandra Amendolar

 

I started dancing at at Toby Lagervall Dance Studio (later Dance Dana and Company) training with Dana Lagervall-Sawyer.  I graduated with Honors from Perpich Center for Arts Education.  There I studied under Mary Harding and Tom Kanthak. While at PCAE, I worked with numerous guest artists (Eddie Oroyan, Stephan Reynolds, and Michelle Miller to name a few, and composer Marc Mellits).  

 

I then attended the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where I graduated Cum Laude earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dance and a Minor in Creative Writing. At UWSP I trained under Joan Karlen, Jeannie Hill, Michael Estanich, Pamela Luedtke. While at UWSP I worked with multiple artists, some being, Lily Cai, Claudio Munoz, Billy Siegenfeld, and Luc Vanier. 

 

It's hard to choose just one favorite performance piece I've done, but one of my favorite roles/opportunities, was dancing with the Moscow Ballet Company in their production of "The Great Russian Nutcracker."  

 

Each year I've worked at Pinnacle, I have had different moments that stand out to me, and could certainly be "the favorite part" about being part of this team. One thing that has always been consistent year to year, class to class is seeing and hearing the students cheer each other on and truly support the team.  If someone has a beautiful moment, it does not go unnoticed in these classes!

Tamsen Hutton

 

Tamsen started to dance at the age of 2 and found a love for it. Over the years she studied Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Jazz, Tap, Irish Step Dancing and Modern.

 

Tamsen studied at St. Paul City Ballet while in high school. She is a a former Montessori teacher and St. Olaf graduate who took various courses of dance throughout her four years, and participated on the award-winning dance team as well. She is so excited to share her love of dance with everyone at Pinnacle this year.

KAIA SCHOMBURG

 

Kaia is one of the founding students of Pinnacle PAC. She’s studied dance, drama, vocal music, guitar, piano and ukulele as well as serving as an assistant and substitute teacher in the studio. She performs regionally as a vocalist, actor, and assistant choreographer and has been seen in theater productions as well as various commercials and dance productions in the Twin Cities area. When she’s not on stage, Kaia loves math class, choir, science, writing music, and babysitting. She’s incredibly excited to be stepping it up to share her music and dance experience with the Pinnacle family she loves so much.

EVEREST Gymnastics Academy

 

Everest Gymnastics Academy is focused on using gymnastics as a catalyst to help youth reach their life’s summit. Gaining skill and expertise in the sport will parallel many life lessons about leadership, lifestyle, loyalty, and love. All athletes will grow at an individual pace on each apparatus and will be encouraged with positive reinforcement along their journey. The academy has the attitude, coaches, and professionalism that will grip you from the start. Join our program and strive for the peak!

ZACH KUBASTA

 

Zach, a native of Wautoma, Wisconsin, is a senior at St. Olaf where he is pursuing his Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education. Zach’s life revolves around music as he sings in the St. Olaf Choir, is a member of the HillHarmonics A Cappella group at St. Olaf, conducts a children’s church choir at First UCC of Northfield, and volunteers regularly in the local schools.

 

Outside of music and schoolwork, Zach loves spending time outside with his friends and family as well as watching any form of Wisconsin sports. With a great love for the town of Northfield, Zach is excited to be joining the Pinnacle team and to work with the students.