Katherine Hesterberg

Katherine is from Wasilla, Alaska where she began her dance training at Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy/Dancer’s Workshop at the age of three. From the years 2006-2010, she studied the classical technique of Cecchetti as well as tap and jazz, achieving a four-year BFA degree in ballet from Friends University in Kansas. During that time, she had the honor of working with artist such as Shawn Stevens from New York City Ballet and Dominic Walsh from Houston Ballet/Dominic Walsh Dance Theatre. With Friends University, she participated in the American College Dance Festival, Kansas Dance Festival, and also had the pleasure of sharing the stage with globally-known guest artists such as Wendy Whalen, Philip Neal, Frederica Vincisori, and Melody Herrera. She has participated in summer programs with various ballet companies such as Alaska Dance Theatre, Atlanta Ballet, Ballet Tuscan, Atlanta Festival Ballet, and TU Dance.

She has danced professionally and toured state-wide with Continental Ballet Company, St. Paul City Ballet, and Metropolitan Ballet; and has choreographed in the 2013 Minnesota Fringe Festival for Cities Classical Dance Ensemble. Katherine is founder of Minneapolis Ballet Dancers. She has been devoted to the art of ballet for twenty-three years and is very excited for the future.

Casey Juul

Casey, originally from the Twin Cities, first began dancing at Zenon Dance School, he later began his classical ballet training with the Metropolitan Ballet Academy. He received coaching and instruction from Tatiana Berenova, former Bolshoi Principal and Prima Ballerina. Casey also attended The Metropolitan Ballet International Summer Programs lead by Ramon Theiland and Tatiana Berenova .

After completing his training, he began dancing professionally with the Metropolitan Ballet. He has danced with several ballet companies in the Twin Cities area including: Ballet Minnesota, Twin Cities Ballet of Minnesota, Cities Classical Dance Ensemble and Continental Ballet Company. He was also a company member of the Ohio Dance Theatre based in Oberlin, Ohio. Casey Has danced in many classical and contemporary ballets performing roles such as, Albrecht in Giselle, Siegfried in Swan Lake, Prince Florimund from Sleeping Beauty, Conrad from Le Corsaire, Harlequin and Spanish in The Classic Nutcracker.

Casey has taught for many ballet studios around the Twin Cities area including: North Ballet Academy, Continental Ballet School and Metropolitan Ballet Academy. He also teaches ballet at Premiere Dance Academy.

Casey enjoys getting the opportunity to dance with Minneapolis Ballet Dancers because it's so rewarding to be able to create and dance works that are made from artists within the company.

Preston Stockert

Preston is a Twin Cities dancer, choreographer and educator who has been teaching since the age of fifteen. His experiences in education began in North Dakota under the studio in which he received training himself. While receiving his BFA in Dance from the University of Minnesota, he continued educating through workshops and intensives throughout Minnesota and North Dakota. Preston has instructed dancers regularly at St. Paul Ballet as well as other Minnesota dance studios and academies. Preston has worked with other dance schools and institutions through his own freelance work. As for his dance career, he has had the pleasure of working for St. Paul Ballet, Threads Dance Project, Continental Ballet and Cities Classical Dance Ensemble. In 2015, Preston was included in MPR's Memorable Minnesotan's of 2014, and has continued to make impressions in Minnesota publications since. Preston is excited to be teaching this year with Minneapolis Ballet School.