About Us
​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.

Laurie's School of Dance opened it's doors in 1968 with one instructor and owner. We now have nine talented and gifted teachers on staff and are celebrating season 58! 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
LSOD Director
​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.

Mandy Mattson
Assistant Director and Choreographer
​Mandy, the oldest daughter of Laurie, has been dancing since the age of 2.5, started attending dance conventions at the age of 8, began choreographing competitively at age 14, studied inside and outside of LSOD throughout her high school years, and graduated from LSOD in 1997.   After graduation, Mandy began to lead the competitive program at LSOD by not only teaching all styles and ages competitively, but also taking an interest in the family business.  Mandy has been teaching competitive dance for 28 years and has acquired multiple choreography awards, Hi Point awards, judges' choice awards, and many more.    She loves to encourage dancers and bring them up to not only love the sport of dance, but also walk away with a sense of discipline, determination, and accomplishment.  

Dee Angellis
Recreational Instructor & Choreographer
Dee started dance classes at Laurie's School of Dance in 1970 and has been with the studio ever since!  Dee started assisting Laurie after high school, then became an instructor, and has been teaching dance at LSOD for over 40 years! Her experience and knowledge are such a wonderful asset to the studio, but beyond that, she brings so much love and joy to our facility and has a wonderful bond with our littlest dancers!  Dee lends an artistic touch to the studio as well as fun and exciting choreography!

Allie Case
Competition Instructor & Choreographer
Allie started dancing when she was 3 years old and joined LSOD in 2005 then began competing when she was 8 years old. Allie graduated from LSOD in 2020 and continued to assist with both recreational and competitive lines for 8 years and is now a weekly competitive teacher. Allie has attended multiple conventions and continues to train yearly and grow in her love of coaching and teaching dance. Teaching is her passion, and she loves to see all of the progress the dancers make throughout the year!

Grace Magill
 Strength/Conditioning Instructor
Grace is a former LSOD dancer who currently works at Lifetime Fitness and is an assistant coach for the Centennial Dance Team.   Grace brings her dance-incorporated workouts into our studio while giving our competitive dancers the knowledge of strength training, flexibility, endurance, and more.  

Jacob Walters
Advanced Program Ballet Instructor
Jacob Walters first began his ballet training at the age of nine at North Ballet Academy in Rogers, MN under the direction of Breanna Dvorak completing all 8 Levels in the Complete Classical Ballet Program.  
In 2016 at the age of 15 he placed in the Top 12 senior category in the Youth American Grand Prix Ballet Competition in Las Vegas. 
During his training he was selected and participated in several of the nation's best Summer Intensive Programs to include Joffrey Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, & Ballet West all on full merit scolarship!  
In summer of 2018, Jacob was selected to participate in Ballet West's Choreography Workshop in Utah where he performed with company members and trainees at the Gallivan Center in Salt Lake City. 
Jacob has also performed leading guest soloist roles in several professional companies in the Metro area specifically performances of Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Le Sylphides, and the Nutcracker.  

Jillian Howell
Competition Program Ballet Instructor
Jillian is thrilled to be joining the Laurie's School of Dance team for the 2024-2025 season!  
Jillian is originally from Canyon, TX where she began dancing 4 yrs old.  She spent most of her performing career with Lone Star Ballet in Amarillo, TX under the direction of Vicki McLean and also taught in many company levels during her time.  
Throughout many years of training and a number of instructors, Jillian was blessed to have performed in many LSB productions such as the Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and Romeo & Juliet.  Some of her favorite castings have been "Clara" in the Nutcracker, "Arabian princess" in the Nutcracker, and "Susanna Dickinson" in Lone Star Ballet's original ballet, Texas Legends & Love Stories. 

Summer Olson
Recreational Instructor
Summer graduated from LSOD in 2016 and competed in our top lines, winning numerous awards and placements with her team.  Since then, she has been teaching and coaching for 10 years, and has spent 5 of those years teaching ballet to dancers ages 3-8.  She loves to share the joy and determination that dance brings and sees it as a beautiful combination of fitness and art. 

Aubrey Mattson 
Student Instructor 
Aubrey is the oldest granddaughter of Laurie, and competes on our Xteme Team at LSOD.  Aubrey  has trained under industry professionals, attended numerous conventions, and loves to study dance.  Her favorite style is tap, although she loves to teach and choreograph all styles.  Just like her mom and grandma, Aubrey has a true love and passion for teaching kids the art form of dance and creating provding our dancers with a positive and empowering experience.