Our studio is committed to educating our students in the field of dance while at the same time building self-confidence and nurturing their personal growth. We place great value on every student as an individual and as a member of our dance family. We do our very best to bring to our dancers a high quality of technical training, performance opportunities, and other learning skills while at the same time instilling a sense of discipline, a drive for perfection and the ability to work in and be part of a group.
Studio History
Laurie's School of Dance opened it's doors in 1968 with one instructor and owner. We now have five talented and gifted teachers on staff and are celebrating our 41st season! In the beginning, there were always two studios, one located in Forest Lake and the other in White Bear Lake, until we consolidated in 1999. Now located in Centerville, it is a great spot for students to the north and south of us while providing easy access to the growing communities of Hugo and Centerville.
Meet the Staff
Laurie Sanftner - Owner/Teacher
Laurie started her studios in the Forest Lake and White Bear areas in 1968, teaching 31 years before settling in Centerville in 1999. She has also taught for other studios, judged pageants and choreographed many high school and community theater productions, along with raising her three daughters with husband Dennis. Laurie attends annual conventions locally and nationally to keep current on the study of dance.
Dee Angellis - Teacher
Dee started taking lessons at Laurie's' School of Dance in 1970 and started assisting after high school. She has been a teacher here for the past 24 years. Dee has three children, two of them currently in dance, and lends an artistic touch to the studio as well as fun and exciting choreography!
Mandy Mattson - Competition Line Teacher
Mandy, the oldest daughter of Laurie, has been dancing since the age of 3, choreographing and helping with classes through high school and has been in charge of the Competition Lines at the studio for the past 12 years. Her groups have won numerous awards and her challenging, original choreography is always unique and entertaining!
Ashley Sanftner - Competition Line Teacher
Ashley, the youngest daughter of Laurie, joined us in 2007 with her creative and diverse choreography. Besides her studio and high school danceline experience, she was part of the St. Cloud State University National Dance Team for 4 years. While finishing college and fulfilling her duties as a Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader, she finds time to teach classes for us and her teams have won many awards. We hope she can continue at the studio in the future!
Marta Insley - Ballet Teacher
Marta studied at The Andahazy School of Ballet through high school and ran her own studio for 9 years. We are thrilled to have had her with us since 2003. Her classes are filled with wonderful technique and are educational for all levels of dancers looking to improve their performance.
About us
Laurie started her studios in the Forest Lake and White Bear areas in 1968, teaching 31 years before settling in Centerville in 1999. She has also taught for other studios, judged pageants and choreographed many high school and community theater productions, along with raising her three daughters with husband Dennis. Laurie attends annual conventions locally and nationally to keep current on the study of dance.
Dee started taking lessons at Laurie's' School of Dance in 1970 and started assisting after high school. She has been a teacher here for the past 24 years. Dee has three children, two of them currently in dance, and lends an artistic touch to the studio as well as fun and exciting choreography!
Mandy, the oldest daughter of Laurie, has been dancing since the age of 3, choreographing and helping with classes through high school and has been in charge of the Competition Lines at the studio for the past 12 years. Her groups have won numerous awards and her challenging, original choreography is always unique and entertaining!
Ashley, the youngest daughter of Laurie, joined us in 2007 with her creative and diverse choreography. Besides her studio and high school danceline experience, she was part of the St. Cloud State University National Dance Team for 4 years. While finishing college and fulfilling her duties as a Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader, she finds time to teach classes for us and her teams have won many awards. We hope she can continue at the studio in the future!
Marta studied at The Andahazy School of Ballet through high school and ran her own studio for 9 years. We are thrilled to have had her with us since 2003. Her classes are filled with wonderful technique and are educational for all levels of dancers looking to improve their performance.