WINTER COACHES:
Head Coach: Tessa Madrigal Gusmer
At the age of two Tessa immediately took to dancing. Now, 25 years later, Tessa couldn’t imagine her life without it. Tessa started out with studio dance and completed her final year of studio training her junior year of high school. Within those years of training, she trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop and high kick.
From her 6th grade year of middle school through her senior year of high school, Tessa danced on Varsity high school dance team at both Zimmerman High School/Middle School and St. Cloud Cathedral High School. There she exercised her leadership skills and won many awards in leadership and motivation. During her high school dance team career, with her team from St. Cloud Cathedral, she competed at the Minnesota State High School League state competition (‘12 & ‘13). As well as chosen as an all state dancer her senior year(‘13).
After high school, she then went on to dance as a starter at the collegiate level at St. Cloud State University (2013-2014). There she and her team finished top six at the National level at the UDA College Dance Team Nationals.
After college dance team was over, Tessa went into the world of Autism and behavioral therapy, focusing her passion for toddlers, children and teens to help them succeed through early intervention and setting 4 schools. There she learned how to regulate toddlers, children and teens during a crisis, grew a deeper understanding that humans of all kinds and abilities have places to grow and thrive- regardless of what they’ve been through. We all have something beautiful to bring to this world. All we need is a little extra TLC and a special place to find comfort. She believes the right environment sets a person up for success.
In 2016, Tessa, her brother Ben Madrigal (director and co-owner), and mother Christine Madrigal (sole owner) decided to create and open up “Urban Dance Productions” in Coon Rapids, MN.
There, she found her love for building a well-rounded classroom environment, technique, fitness, body awareness and PBT (progressing ballet technique).
She’s loved helping out her dancers through mental health, life changes, and is extremely passionate about creating a safe environment for the Urban Dance Production dancers and anyone else who she works with.
At the age of two Tessa immediately took to dancing. Now, 25 years later, Tessa couldn’t imagine her life without it. Tessa started out with studio dance and completed her final year of studio training her junior year of high school. Within those years of training, she trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop and high kick.
From her 6th grade year of middle school through her senior year of high school, Tessa danced on Varsity high school dance team at both Zimmerman High School/Middle School and St. Cloud Cathedral High School. There she exercised her leadership skills and won many awards in leadership and motivation. During her high school dance team career, with her team from St. Cloud Cathedral, she competed at the Minnesota State High School League state competition (‘12 & ‘13). As well as chosen as an all state dancer her senior year(‘13).
After high school, she then went on to dance as a starter at the collegiate level at St. Cloud State University (2013-2014). There she and her team finished top six at the National level at the UDA College Dance Team Nationals.
After college dance team was over, Tessa went into the world of Autism and behavioral therapy, focusing her passion for toddlers, children and teens to help them succeed through early intervention and setting 4 schools. There she learned how to regulate toddlers, children and teens during a crisis, grew a deeper understanding that humans of all kinds and abilities have places to grow and thrive- regardless of what they’ve been through. We all have something beautiful to bring to this world. All we need is a little extra TLC and a special place to find comfort. She believes the right environment sets a person up for success.
In 2016, Tessa, her brother Ben Madrigal (director and co-owner), and mother Christine Madrigal (sole owner) decided to create and open up “Urban Dance Productions” in Coon Rapids, MN.
There, she found her love for building a well-rounded classroom environment, technique, fitness, body awareness and PBT (progressing ballet technique).
She’s loved helping out her dancers through mental health, life changes, and is extremely passionate about creating a safe environment for the Urban Dance Production dancers and anyone else who she works with.
Assistant Coach: Miranda Johnson
Miranda has been dancing since the age of two years old. She started out with recreational dance and eventually by the age of nine she started doing competitive dance. She trained with many different studios including Northland, Northern Force, Larkin, and Urban Dance Productions. This gave her the opportunity to get training from well known teachers, not only from Minnesota, but from choreographers from all around the world by attending many classes at different dance conventions. She was picked as a core performer at Radix dance competition/convention out of many dancers who auditioned. This gave her the opportunity to learn a choreographed piece from Tessandra Chavez, who is an Emmy winning dance choreographer, and perform it at the end of the dance competition along with the other chosen dancers. Miranda also got the opportunity to travel to London and perform with her team at some venues at the London Olympics. Along with that she has had the chance to travel to many states and compete with her teams.
While studio dance was a great experience, she decided in high school she wanted to try doing dance team for her school, but still trained with a competitive dance studio. She attended Blaine High School and did both fall and winter seasons all 4 years of high school. She was on the varsity team all four years, allowing her to compete at the state high school level every year with her teammates. Her senior year she was chosen by her team and coaches to be one of the captains. This allowed her to take on a big leadership role, helping choreograph dances and making sure dancers on the team always had someone to come to if they needed help with things. Miranda also competed at the Miss Dance Team competition and was chosen to be on Team Minnesota, bringing her to California to compete on a team with dancers from many different dance teams in Minnesota. She was also chosen as an all state dancer her senior year where “Team Minnesota'' performed before heading to California.
After graduating high school she decided she wasn't done with the dance world yet. She continued to teach at her studio she graduated from, Urban Dance Productions, and did things like solo lessons, technique classes, and assist other teachers' classes. During this time she still took classes regularly to maintain her dance training.
She is now an event manager at a golf course in Edina. Skills learned early on in life while navigating through dance taught her many things she is able to bring to her adult life. Many aspects of her former captain/teammate role taught her how to properly manage things at work. She can’t wait to get to know and work with all the new dancers at Andover High School!
Miranda has been dancing since the age of two years old. She started out with recreational dance and eventually by the age of nine she started doing competitive dance. She trained with many different studios including Northland, Northern Force, Larkin, and Urban Dance Productions. This gave her the opportunity to get training from well known teachers, not only from Minnesota, but from choreographers from all around the world by attending many classes at different dance conventions. She was picked as a core performer at Radix dance competition/convention out of many dancers who auditioned. This gave her the opportunity to learn a choreographed piece from Tessandra Chavez, who is an Emmy winning dance choreographer, and perform it at the end of the dance competition along with the other chosen dancers. Miranda also got the opportunity to travel to London and perform with her team at some venues at the London Olympics. Along with that she has had the chance to travel to many states and compete with her teams.
While studio dance was a great experience, she decided in high school she wanted to try doing dance team for her school, but still trained with a competitive dance studio. She attended Blaine High School and did both fall and winter seasons all 4 years of high school. She was on the varsity team all four years, allowing her to compete at the state high school level every year with her teammates. Her senior year she was chosen by her team and coaches to be one of the captains. This allowed her to take on a big leadership role, helping choreograph dances and making sure dancers on the team always had someone to come to if they needed help with things. Miranda also competed at the Miss Dance Team competition and was chosen to be on Team Minnesota, bringing her to California to compete on a team with dancers from many different dance teams in Minnesota. She was also chosen as an all state dancer her senior year where “Team Minnesota'' performed before heading to California.
After graduating high school she decided she wasn't done with the dance world yet. She continued to teach at her studio she graduated from, Urban Dance Productions, and did things like solo lessons, technique classes, and assist other teachers' classes. During this time she still took classes regularly to maintain her dance training.
She is now an event manager at a golf course in Edina. Skills learned early on in life while navigating through dance taught her many things she is able to bring to her adult life. Many aspects of her former captain/teammate role taught her how to properly manage things at work. She can’t wait to get to know and work with all the new dancers at Andover High School!
JV Coach: Lizzy Hanks
Lizzy has been dancing since she was 2 years old. She started out dancing recreational until the age of 7, when she started dancing competitively at Northland School of Dance for 13 years. During her time here, she had the opportunity to train in the styles of Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Tap, Hip Hop, Ballet, and Point, as well as train and learn from various artists in the state and around the US where she attended various dance conventions and has received various performer scholarships. While she loved and found great opportunity dancing at studio, Lizzy decided to try High School dance where she danced on Anoka Fall dance team for 4 years and Winter for 3. She was on Varsity Jazz and Kick all her years performing for the winter dance team, where she was Captain her senior year in 2018 and led her team to state finals, making program history. Her Junior year she was chosen by her team at MVD (most valuable dancer) and by her coaches for Northwest Suburban Conference Honorable Mention. Her senior year she was also chosen for those along with being selected by a team of judges and her coaches for All State in Jazz. While still dancing for the High School Team, Lizzy decided to volunteer coach for Anoka Middle School Dance Team for 2 years, where she went on to coach after graduating high school for another year, as well and coaching for the Anoka High School Dance team her freshman year of college. During that time she grew in professional development at JFK coaching classes, as well and pursuing a degree in education and psychology.
After coaching for a year, she decided to take a gap to pursue her dreams in education and psychology while attending Bemidji State University. Lizzy is just finishing her student teaching experience, and now works as a Behavioral Technician working with children on the spectrum to help maintain functional communication skills through various educational and life skill opportunity. The skills she’s learned in dancing for 17 years and coaching for 4 has provided her great growth in her adult life, such as learning communication, time management, and great collaboration skills. She can’t wait to build relationships and watch the Andover High School dancers grow! Go Huskies!
Lizzy has been dancing since she was 2 years old. She started out dancing recreational until the age of 7, when she started dancing competitively at Northland School of Dance for 13 years. During her time here, she had the opportunity to train in the styles of Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Tap, Hip Hop, Ballet, and Point, as well as train and learn from various artists in the state and around the US where she attended various dance conventions and has received various performer scholarships. While she loved and found great opportunity dancing at studio, Lizzy decided to try High School dance where she danced on Anoka Fall dance team for 4 years and Winter for 3. She was on Varsity Jazz and Kick all her years performing for the winter dance team, where she was Captain her senior year in 2018 and led her team to state finals, making program history. Her Junior year she was chosen by her team at MVD (most valuable dancer) and by her coaches for Northwest Suburban Conference Honorable Mention. Her senior year she was also chosen for those along with being selected by a team of judges and her coaches for All State in Jazz. While still dancing for the High School Team, Lizzy decided to volunteer coach for Anoka Middle School Dance Team for 2 years, where she went on to coach after graduating high school for another year, as well and coaching for the Anoka High School Dance team her freshman year of college. During that time she grew in professional development at JFK coaching classes, as well and pursuing a degree in education and psychology.
After coaching for a year, she decided to take a gap to pursue her dreams in education and psychology while attending Bemidji State University. Lizzy is just finishing her student teaching experience, and now works as a Behavioral Technician working with children on the spectrum to help maintain functional communication skills through various educational and life skill opportunity. The skills she’s learned in dancing for 17 years and coaching for 4 has provided her great growth in her adult life, such as learning communication, time management, and great collaboration skills. She can’t wait to build relationships and watch the Andover High School dancers grow! Go Huskies!
Fall Coach:
Jessie Pearson
Jessie is coaching her 7th year with ADT. She was the Varsity Assistant Kick Coach for the competition team and has now transitioned into the Fall Performance Team Head Coach. Jessie is an alumni of Mankato State University, where she was also on the MSU Dance Team. Jessie was a studio dancer growing up and was a 4-year Varsity member, choreographer and team captain of her high school dance team.
Jessie is coaching her 7th year with ADT. She was the Varsity Assistant Kick Coach for the competition team and has now transitioned into the Fall Performance Team Head Coach. Jessie is an alumni of Mankato State University, where she was also on the MSU Dance Team. Jessie was a studio dancer growing up and was a 4-year Varsity member, choreographer and team captain of her high school dance team.