About
Chaska Dance Center offers classes in dance styles including ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, dance line, musical theatre, and creative movement. The program includes preschool classes, kindergarten–1st grade classes, teenage technique classes, the Ruby Company competition team, and adult classes.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: 2025–2026 season with classes beginning September 8, a holiday break December 24–January 1, a spring break March 30–April 3, dress rehearsal week starting May 4, normal classes the week of May 11, and recitals May 15–16
Chaska Dance Center is celebrating its 42nd year and was founded as the Chaska School of Dance in 1984 by Mary Pieper. The studio offers affordable and professional dance education that fits a family’s budget without a competitive atmosphere and welcomes dancers of all ages, including children ages 3 to 18 and adults. The program is led by owner and director Miss Jenny (Jenny Pantano).
The instructors have many years of dancing and teaching experience. Jenny Pantano trained at multiple studios, continued training in Los Angeles with nationally recognized choreographers and instructors, performed in the Jerry Lewis Telethon and with the Mark Goodman Tap Company as a dance captain, and holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley and a Master’s degree from UCLA. Her choreography has received awards such as Outstanding Choreography at BravO! National Dance Competition and at Showbiz National Talent Competition in Daytona Beach, Florida. Instructor Janet Merckling holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from the University of Minnesota and has taught modern, ballet, jazz, and tap, with a focus on younger students in ballet and tap. Founder Mary Pieper has taught ballet, tap, and jazz to thousands of students and is described as an icon in the Chaska dance community. Instructor Amanda Middleton trained and competed in dance from a young age through college, danced on the St. Cloud State University dance team, participated in Vikings and Timberwolves training camps, performed with Soul to Sole Dance Conversion and as a backup dancer for an 80s cover band, and holds degrees in Marketing and Human Resources Management. Regan has two decades of experience in dance education and choreography, including roles at The Dance Warehouse, The Phipps Dance Theater, and as owner and instructor at Evolution Studio. Allison Wheeler holds a BFA in dance from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, has trained in a wide range of genres, worked with multiple dance artists and companies, taught and performed K-pop dance, and has had her choreography presented at venues including The Momentary and The Medium. Abby Moldenhauer started dancing at age seven, graduated from Chaska Dance Center, danced on competitive teams winning multiple awards, assisted younger classes in high school, and currently works as an infant teacher while taking her CDA course.
Chaska Dance Center states that it is passionate about helping children and young adults build their self-confidence and skills by expressing themselves through dance, with an emphasis on building self-esteem, self-confidence, and personal development. The program notes that it is celebrating 42 years of bringing dance to the community and that it has enriched the lives of students with its focus on dance over the years.
Last updated February 22, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: 2025–2026 season with classes beginning September 8, a holiday break December 24–January 1, a spring break March 30–April 3, dress rehearsal week starting May 4, normal classes the week of May 11, and recitals May 15–16
Chaska Dance Center is celebrating its 42nd year and was founded as the Chaska School of Dance in 1984 by Mary Pieper. The studio offers affordable and professional dance education that fits a family’s budget without a competitive atmosphere and welcomes dancers of all ages, including children ages 3 to 18 and adults. The program is led by owner and director Miss Jenny (Jenny Pantano).
The instructors have many years of dancing and teaching experience. Jenny Pantano trained at multiple studios, continued training in Los Angeles with nationally recognized choreographers and instructors, performed in the Jerry Lewis Telethon and with the Mark Goodman Tap Company as a dance captain, and holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley and a Master’s degree from UCLA. Her choreography has received awards such as Outstanding Choreography at BravO! National Dance Competition and at Showbiz National Talent Competition in Daytona Beach, Florida. Instructor Janet Merckling holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from the University of Minnesota and has taught modern, ballet, jazz, and tap, with a focus on younger students in ballet and tap. Founder Mary Pieper has taught ballet, tap, and jazz to thousands of students and is described as an icon in the Chaska dance community. Instructor Amanda Middleton trained and competed in dance from a young age through college, danced on the St. Cloud State University dance team, participated in Vikings and Timberwolves training camps, performed with Soul to Sole Dance Conversion and as a backup dancer for an 80s cover band, and holds degrees in Marketing and Human Resources Management. Regan has two decades of experience in dance education and choreography, including roles at The Dance Warehouse, The Phipps Dance Theater, and as owner and instructor at Evolution Studio. Allison Wheeler holds a BFA in dance from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, has trained in a wide range of genres, worked with multiple dance artists and companies, taught and performed K-pop dance, and has had her choreography presented at venues including The Momentary and The Medium. Abby Moldenhauer started dancing at age seven, graduated from Chaska Dance Center, danced on competitive teams winning multiple awards, assisted younger classes in high school, and currently works as an infant teacher while taking her CDA course.
Chaska Dance Center states that it is passionate about helping children and young adults build their self-confidence and skills by expressing themselves through dance, with an emphasis on building self-esteem, self-confidence, and personal development. The program notes that it is celebrating 42 years of bringing dance to the community and that it has enriched the lives of students with its focus on dance over the years.
Last updated February 22, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.