Phase 2 Re-Opening: COVID-19 Information
Crystal Award "Best Studio" 5th Consecutive year
Readers' Choice Award Winner 5 consecutive years!
FALL 2024-2025 REGISTRATION IS FILLING FAST
CLASSES BEGIN SEPTEMBER 9TH!
Meet Our Staff
Melissa McCabe
Owner/Director/Choreographer
Melissa began dancing at age 4 at The Dance Shoppe in Plymouth, MN. She trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Pointe, and Lyrical for 22 years. Melissa competed both locally and nationally for 12 years and was a part of a number of award-winning numbers. She has trained with Desiree Robbins, Gregg Russell, Ray Leeper, Doug Caldwell, Chris Moss, and Wade Robson to name a few. Melissa also performed in the pre-game show for Super Bowl XXVI. Melissa has taught a wide range of ages and dance styles. Melissa's students have won a number of Overalls and Judge Choice Awards as well as a number of Best Costume Awards for her Tap numbers.
Melissa's greatest love is to perform and teach others. She takes pride in watching her dancers grow to achieve their highest goals and potential. She helps them achieve their goals of being strong and more confident dancers. She was a part of a local group of ladies around the Twin Cities for 7 seasons performing during the holiday season at the local malls and nursing homes sharing her love of dance with so many during the holiday season. Melissa also takes classes to continue her dance education and is also certified to teach Acro.
Whitney Nobles
Creative Director/Choreographer
Whitney entered the world of Dance as an Energetic, Eager 3-year-old. As a committed student of 14 years, She developed skills in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, and Hip Hop. Whitney competed in many local Competitions and was a part of many of the studios winning routines. As a teenager, She began assisting at her childhood studio helping with numerous classes of a variety of ages. After finishing High School, She decided that Dancing and Teaching were her true passions and began to pursue that full time.
Since then, Whitney has choreographed winning routines at both National and Regional Competitions. She also has won the "12 and under Choreography Award" for her lyrical group number, Small Group Hip Hop as well as a Standing Ovations Award for her Teen Jazz in 2021. Whitney has a unique, fun-loving way of connecting with her students to inspire and share her passion for dance. The biggest reward for her is watching her students improve and grow in class and helping them achieve their goals and to become the best dancer they can be! We are pleased and happy to have Whitney as a part of the IDC Family!
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Luann Burger
Instructor/Choreographer
Luann has loved to dance since she started dancing at the age of 7. After graduating, Luann spent a few years teaching students to dance at her home. The hard work paid off and she opened Metro Dance Center!! After many years she sold her studio to longtime friends, Colleen and Brad Wood so that she could take some time off while her children were young. She rejoined the Metro Staff in 2012. Luann’s innovative tap and musical theater routines have gained national and international acclaim.
She is best known for the way she relates to the dancers and motivates them to be the best dancers and people they can be. Her philosophy is that teaching dance is much more than just demonstrating steps and correcting techniques. She instills in her students that dance teaches life skills that benefit her students greatly in every area of life. Luann is excited to continue sharing her love of dance with her students and is excited to join the IDC family!
Sarah Jaakola
Instructor/Choreograher
Sarah started dancing when she was 3 years old and fell in love. You couldn’t stop her from dancing whether it was at the grocery store or the park. Around the age of 7, she began to compete and her passion grew stronger. She developed many skills in Tap, Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Hip Hop. Her favorite dance style is Lyrical. She believes that with lyrical, you can tell a story more with movement than words. Sarah has competed at several regional and national competitions. Winning titles and judge's choice awards along the way. As a preteen, she began assisting at her childhood studio. By the time she was a senior in high school, she was an instructor for all youth classes. As well as technique classes for ages 8-18.
Although it has been a few years since she’s been back in the studio, she cannot wait to teach your little ones. Sarah has a passion for teaching children. She has an energetic, fun-loving approach to teaching. She believes it’s not all about the competition, it’s about expressing yourself and having fun! We are excited to welcome Sarah to the IDC Family!
Renee Olds
Assistant Instructor
Renee started dancing at six years old at Metro Dance Center. She has experience in tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, hip hop, and pointe. She’s been on a competition team for nine years and she has also performed tap solos under the instruction of Luann. Renee loves to dance, and her favorite style is tap. She views dance as a way to express and enjoy oneself. Welcome, Renee to the IDC Family!