Miss Lauren Martin

Miss Lauren Martin is the passionate owner of Inspiration Performing Arts Center (IPAC), where she has dedicated the past 13 years to cultivating a vibrant dance community. With a lifelong love for dance that began at the tender age of 2, Lauren has honed her skills in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, and Pointe, competing at numerous regional and national dance competitions and conventions.

Graduating from Minnesota State University Mankato in 2011 with a BS in dance and a minor in child psychology, Lauren showcased her talents in various faculty and student dance concerts while also delving into choreography, creating mesmerizing pieces for the dance program’s student showcase.

Among her many accolades, Lauren has earned many Choreography Award and Overall Top Score at Regional Dance Competition for her stunning pieces “Framed Memories,” “Schindler’s List,” and “Brotsjor,”. Her choreographic prowess was further recognized internationally, with features in the Poland International Dance Festival and teaching engagements in 2014 and 2017.

Continuing her commitment to excellence, Lauren obtained certification in Progressing Ballet Technique, enriching her teaching repertoire to benefit the students of IPAC. Beyond the studio, Lauren is a proud ImPACt!™ team member, extending her love for dance to communities in Haiti through outreach initiatives.

Outside of dance, Lauren finds joy in travel, spending time with her three adorable nieces and handsome nephew, and practicing yoga. Her infectious positivity and unwavering dedication to her team, students, parents, and the wider community form the beating heart of IPAC. With her boundless enthusiasm, Lauren envisions many more years of sharing her passion for dance with students, inspiring them to reach new heights in their artistic journey.

Miss Ally Anthony

Dance Instructor

Degree: BS Private Studio Dance, BS French, additional minor studies in Marketing and Art History

Member of the IPAC Team since 2021

Background: I grew up dancing in central Iowa and continued studying dance at Minnesota State, Mankato. I loved learning about dance history as well as how to teach dance based on anatomy and physiology; preventing injuries while dancing is a high priority for me. I’ve participated in many dance concerts during my time at MSU and in the Minnesota Fringe Festival. I also attend several dance performances in the Twin Cities to keep myself inspired.

Favorite Thing About IPAC: My favorite thing about teaching at IPAC is helping dancers improve their technique. It’s such a pleasure when dancers have an aha-moment and feel the correct muscle engagement to execute a particular skill.

Fun Fact!: I’m excited to pass on the traditions of dance while also seeking new ways to help our dancers at IPAC excel in their technique and artistry.

Miss Stephanie Gildner

Dance Instructor

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Dance

Member of the IPAC Team since 2013

Background: My dance journey has taken me from coast to coast, where I have had memorable experiences working with dance artists who have helped me grow both as a dancer and a choreographer. I have had wonderful opportunities to work with local, national, and international companies and choreographers. I have greatly enjoyed being a part of the Minneapolis dance community creating and collaborating with local Minnesota artists and musicians developing thought provoking, mix-media dance works.

Favorite Thing About IPAC: the sense of community from the team and the students. It is a great place to be, to stay, that is filled with kindness, creativity, and acceptance.

Fun Fact!: I love hanging out with my family, being creative, spending time outdoors, and my favorite food is tacos!

Miss Miranda Mohr

Dance Instructor & Performance Team Coordinator

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Dance & Minor in Marketing

Member of the IPAC Team since 2019

Background: I started dancing at IPAC in 2010 until I graduated in 2015. After high school, I performed in MSU’s dance concerts. Now I like to take classes around the twin cities.

Favorite Thing About IPAC: Building relationships with the students and providing a safe environment for each student.

Miss Lauren Schulte

Dance Instructor & Performance Team Coordinator

Degree: Children and Family Ministry and Dance

Member of the IPAC Team since 2018

Background: I started my dance journey here at IPAC as a little girl and found out pretty quickly I had a passion for dance. I competed on IPAC’s competition teams and eventually started my teaching journey as a senior in high school in 2018.

Favorite Thing About IPAC: I love working at IPAC because I love helping children grow in their passion and understanding of dance. I also love the students and families that I have met through IPAC as well. It brings me so much joy to be able to teach children, not only about dance, but also about life and have the opportunity to walk with them through life’s circumstances.

Miss Mary Juelich

Dance Instructor

Degree: BA in Dance and Biology from Gustavus Adolphus College 

Member of the IPAC Team since 2024

Background: I started dancing in 1st grade at a local studio, training in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, musical theater, acro, and hip hop. I was also a member of my high school varsity dance team. In college, I continued my dance journey as both a dance major and a member of the dance team. As a dance major, I explored the art of modern dance and began choreographing for and performing in both student and faculty-directed concerts.

I am currently attending the University of Minnesota to obtain a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. I hope to bring my love and knowledge of anatomy and physiology to the dance world to help prevent injuries in dancers. 

Favorite Thing About IPAC: I love the supportive and encouraging environment IPAC creates for kids and their families. 

Miss Samantha A Kerkhoff

Music Department Lead and Voice & Piano Instructor

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Music Education

Member of the IPAC Team since 2012

Background: I started my musical journey at age 5 though piano lessons and I have never looked back! Throughout elementary, middle and high school I played multiple instruments, sang in many choirs and competed in my craft. Upon starting my college degree, I was an active part of the concert choir, chamber choir and jazz choir. Along with performing in operas and being a part of a church choir. Following college, I started my journey with IPAC while teaching music at a private school in White Bear Lake. I continue to practice daily and perform at church.

Favorite Thing About IPAC: IPAC is a family first environment! I love coming to work and watching not only my students but the students around the studio grow and become positive, uplifting individuals. I also love that my children are here experiencing this warm and inviting community!

Miss Pa Lee

Lead Piano Instructor

Degree: Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance

Member of the IPAC Team since 2018

Background: I’ve been playing music my whole life, and it’s always been a source of joy, growth, and connection for me. I earned my Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Minnesota State University, Mankato, where I deepened my love for both performing and teaching. I’m currently pursuing my Master’s degree in Music Therapy at Augsburg University, where I’m learning how music can support emotional and developmental well-being. I’m passionate about helping others discover their own musical voice and strive to create a supportive, inspiring environment for every student I work with.

Favorite Thing About IPAC: Having an awesome, supportive team!

Mr. ShaubYi Yang

Voice & Piano Instructor

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Music and a minor in Music and Entertainment Industries

Member of the IPAC Team since 2024

Background: I graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato and was mostly self taught with voice and piano until then. I played an active role with singing and being a section leader in choir during middle school, high school, and college. I studied vocal performance, conducting, vocal pedagogy, and audio production which inspires me to love teaching and being a songwriter/producer. I knew that I loved singing since it was introduced to me through children’s tv shows like “The Wiggles”. I’ve always liked to challenge myself when it comes to singing, piano, and songwriting because I like to see myself grow. Music has been with me for as long as I can remember and I love sharing how inspiring and healing music can be. 

Favorite Thing About IPAC: My favorite thing about IPAC is that I feel supported and will always receive a smile every time I walk through the door. I feel motivated to spread that joy and make learning music a fun and great way to express ourselves through song. 

Miss Kenny Redden

Strings Instructor (Violin, Guitar, Ukulele, & Piano)

Member of the IPAC Team since 2024

Background: I started my music journey at a young age, joining a community choir at just 4 years old where I learned to sing, read music, and even the basics of conducting. My passion for music grew from there! I picked up the violin at age 12 and bass at 15, and with that strong foundation, learning other string instruments came naturally.

Favorite Thing About IPAC:
I love the creative environment that IPAC fosters. It challenges me to think outside the box, helping me grow both as a musician and teacher, while building meaningful connections with my students to help them achieve their musical goals.

Mr. Thomas Saw

Piano Instructor

Degree: Associate of Fine Arts in Music

Member of the IPAC Team since 2025

Background: I started learning piano when I was 6 years old, and I have been playing ever since. I am originally from Burma, and I moved to the U.S in 2022 for college. One of the crucial parts of my musical journey was singing in my old choir called “The Univoice Choir” back in my country. It was the time when I found my passion for performing music. In addition to teaching piano, I am a paid Tenor singer at a church choir.

Favorite Thing About IPAC: I get the opportunity to share my talents with IPAC and their passionate students.

Miss Celina Sheppeck

Assistant Studio Director and Administrative Support

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Entrepreneurship and Marketing and MBA from University of St. Thomas

Member of the IPAC Team since 2015

Favorite Thing About IPAC: Introducing the arts to children at a young age can have a positive and lasting impact on their holistic development and IPAC strives to instill a passion for the arts in all students while building self-confidence, creativity and self-expression. I couldn’t ask for a better place to work or for my children to attend dance and music lessons.

Miss Joy Logan

Office & Client Experience Manager

Degree: BA in Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas

Member of IPAC Team since September 2019

Background: I worked in corporate for 12 years in various Human Resources, Business Management, Meeting Planning, Training and Education roles. Then 12 years ago I started working as a Business Manager for my husband’s construction company and continue to do so part time and work most weeknights at the front desk at IPAC helping with tuition and enrollment and assisting families as needed. I also am a full time homeschool teacher for my 4 children.

Favorite Thing About IPAC: IPAC is a very fun and exciting environment. Everyone on our team is like family and so welcoming! I love that!

Miss Kelley Martin

Front Desk Team and Accountant

Degree: Inver Hills Community College Office Management/Accounting

Member of the IPAC Family since 2017

Background: I bring 17 years tax accounting & bookkeeping experience to IPAC.

Favorite Thing About IPAC: I am the Saturday morning front desk help during the regular season which I love because I get to see the families behind our dancers. I also get to see the IPAC Dancers in their Mentoring roles as they assist the teachers with their classes & I give studio tours to new families. I am also part of the team that makes sure every dancer makes their Recital performances on time during the dance recitals & I fill in at the greeting table for the Music performances. My favorite part of IPAC is being a part of an incredible Team of talented employees & students. And of course I love performance week for both the Music Programs and the Dance Recitals! IPAC performers ROCK!

Miss Sandi Holmgren

Graphic Design Extraordinaire

Degree: BFA – specializing in Graphic Design

Member of the IPAC Family since 2010

Background: Worked for various ad agencies before going freelance

Favorite Thing About IPAC: I love the people that work there. They are so friendly and kind. I also enjoy the excitement of the little ones when they share what they did during class. I am so thankful for a studio who believes in inclusion and has made a home for Mikayla.

Mr. Dan Wolfgram

Set Extraordinaire Creator and Designer & Santa!

Member of the IPAC Team since 2011

Background: I started acting and helping build sets my freshman year of high school.  My senior year I was a student set designer for our spring musical, Oliver.  After serving in the Navy, I attended Concordia University in St Paul taking classes for performing arts and technical theater.  As a student I worked in their brand new theater facility, The E.M. Pearson Theater, as house manager, stage manager, lighting designer and master rigger for events that rented the facility.  On stage I had many parts in the chorus and for our Shakespeare Festival I was cast as Nick Bottom from MidSummer Nights Dream and MacBeth from MacBeth.  I also worked as a sound engineer and character performer at Valleyfair.  While I worked as a part time deputy with Ramsey County I was part of the team that opened the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Halloween Haunt “Fright Farm” at the Ramsey County Fairgrounds.  I spent 15 years on the design team developing interactive haunting stories, then designing and building the sets as well as acting in them.  Unique to Fright Farm was that we developed a new theme each year with new sets and characters keeping it fresh and fun for all involved.  Several years ago I started to help with some Christmas cheer at the Christmas Dance Spectacular.   I’ve been helping Santa find his way to our Holiday Recitals ever since.  Most recently, I’ve jumped back into acting working on a few short films here in the Twin Cities as well as auditioning for independent and Christian projects throughout the States.

Favorite Thing About IPAC: Being a part of the IPAC Family!

Miss Kate Johnson

Miss Kate began dancing at a very young age and spent nine wonderful years training at IPAC, where she developed not only her technique but also a deep love for the studio community. During her time as a dancer at IPAC, she served as a Mentor Lead, guiding younger students and helping them fall in love with dance—something she found incredibly rewarding. She is currently a senior at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, majoring in Advertising and Public Relations. Now, Miss Kate continues to support IPAC as a guest artist and summer instructor. Each summer, she looks forward to returning home to share her passion and give back to the place that shaped her dance journey.

Miss Ally Desjardins

Miss Ally DesJardins danced at Inspiration Performing Arts Center for six years and graduated from IPAC in 2016. Miss Ally is in love with all styles of dance and majored in dance at Belhaven University. In addition to IPAC she has trained at St Croix Ballet, University of North Carolina School of the Arts and Alvin Ailey. Out of her passion for dance comes a passion for inspiring others through teaching, performing and choreographing. Ally is blessed to call IPAC her family and it will always be her home away from home.

Mr. Justin Moua

Piano & Voice Instructor

Degree: B.A., M.S., CCC-SLP, NCVS Vocologist

Member of IPAC Team since 2019

Background: I started my music career in college, which is considered a late start! However, music can be taught and learned at any age. I am still taking voice lessons.

Favorite Thing About IPAC: Seeing my students develop their musical skills.

Fun Fact: My favorite musical style is from the Romantic Era (19th century). Some composers from this era are Beethoven, Schubert, and Chopin.