Our Teachers

About our Director

CONNIE MURRAY: is a dancer, teacher, choreographer, actress, singer and founder of the Lake Harriet Dance Center. She began her training in dance at age 4. At the age of 16, she began dancing with a professional group of dancers doing convention and entertainment work for Don Stoltz at the Old Log Theater. She danced in Miami, Las Vegas, the Bahamas and New York in shows with such stars as Jimmy Durante, Norm Crosby, Louie Nye and the Smothers Brothers. Her work with theaters in the Twin City area includes over thirty shows either as a dancer, a choreographer or both. She has 50+ years of experience in choreographing for high schools and community centers such as the St. Paul Jewish Community Center, Temple Aaron and Holy Angels Academy. She has donated her time as a choreographer for many civic and community events. Creating the Lake Harriet Dance Center was a pivotal point in her career since she felt her true purpose was helping young dancers discover their talent. She has continually further developed her skills as a dancer studying with Minnesota Jazz, Ozone, Zenon, and Pineapple Studios in London. Each summer she continues her pursuit of keeping up with the current styles of dance. Dancing is her life and teaching dance is her love.

About our Teachers

STEPHANIE HARMON: is a Minneapolis theater professional who has worked both locally and internationally. Her work has been seen in in the cities at settings such as Choreographers Evening, The Fringe Festival and Stages Theater Company, as well as throughout Europe and Asia with the USO and Sesame Street Live. She taught the tap program at Zenon for 16 years and was the Co-Artistic Director of The American Variety Theater Company. She still manages to teach some around the area, as well as acting as an evaluator for the Hennepin Theater Trust’s Spotlight Education program and is currently working as the Technical Production Coordinator for VStar Entertainment, the producers of the current Paw Patrol Live tours. Stephanie has added working with Cirque de Solei to her resume in recent years.

JANET SKIDMORE: Holds an M.A. in dance from THE Ohio State University and started as a dance specialist in the Chicago Public Schools. In Minnesota, she maintains a license for dance and theater in the schools. She has appeared in dances choreographed by Hijack and Penelope Freeh, and her choreography has been seen at Patrick’s Cabaret and Bryant Lake Bowl. Her one-woman-show at the Minnesota Fringe Festival, “Marie Taglioni is not a dish of Pasta, OR Modern Dance, from Toe Shoes to No Shoes,” received a “Must See” from the Pioneer Press. Janet also sings professionally and has been seen in theater productions both in Chicago and the Twin Cities.

Cathy Hollingsworth: has taught Ballet and Character for over 30 years. Cathy holds a B.S. Degree in Dance / Recreation from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. Established youth dance program for Westonka Public Schools, where she educated students in various styles of dance, including Ballet (Vaganova), Tap, Jazz, and Character. Throughout her career Cathy has studied with master teachers James Moore (UWSP), Gabriella Komleva (Kirov Ballet), Marius Andahazy, and Lorena Branitski. She has studied and performed with master Character instructor Nesian Tobak (Ukraine) at venues which include Festival of Nations, Patrick’s Cabaret, Minnesota Fringe Festival, Orchestra Hall, and The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts.

Kim Lewis: began her ballet training at the Metropolitan Ballet of St. Louis, and has trained at a variety of summer programs including Joffrey Ballet, National Academy in Champagne, IL, and Zenon Zone in Minneapolis, MN. Her passion is to dance ballet and her mission is to spread the joy of dance. She has danced in a variety of stage roles, most recently with Pacific Midwest Ballet, Continental Ballet and various local choreographers. She has produced a comedy improv/improv dance show called SLICE. She currently makes creative dance films with MotionArt Minnesota. She is excited to be teaching her second year at Lake Harriet Dance Center. (feel free to edit or shorten as needed)

SHERRI DAHLMEIR: started dancing at age 5. During high school, she continued her dance education with a scholarship at Minnesota Jazz Company for four years where she learned her technique in ballet, jazz and tap. She furthered her ballet training, studying under Becky Stanchfield at Zenon Dance Company. Sherri has been teaching with her mother, Connie, at Lake Harriet Dance Center for 30+ years. She thoroughly enjoys working with the children, helping them to become the best dancers they can be. She brings fresh ideas and vigor to the classes.