Dance Instructors & Staff

Michelle Hudson was destined to become a dancer from an early age. She devoted 10 years of her life to the rigorous study of ballet at some of the top schools in the state, but it wasn't until she was studying to receive a biology degree at the University of St. Thomas that she discovered ballroom dancing. Recognizing an immediate passion for teaching, Michelle developed not only a career in professional competitive ballroom dancing but also in both social and competitive dance instruction. Michelle competes with and coaches students in both American and International styles of ballroom and Latin dance. Professionally she and her husband Eric Hudson are rising stars in the American smooth division. Traveling all over the country, they compete monthly and are most recently Indiana Challenge Champions as well as Common Wealth Classic Rising Star Champions.

Eric Hudson began his compulsion for partner dancing over a decade ago as a competitive lindy hopper. Shortly thereafter, he traded in his career as a scientist for that of a ballroom instructor. He has performed on stage, television and on competitive dance floors across the country. Eric has competed in Professional American Smooth and American Rhythm for the past 9 years. He and his wife, Michelle, have won nearly every rising star competition in the United States. They are currently in the top six competitors in the exciting Open American Smooth division. In addition to competing professionally, Eric competes in the Pro/Am division with many of his students and is considered one of the top Pro/Am instructors and competitors in the world. In addition to teaching Eric is part owner of the Cinema Ballroom dance studio in St. Paul, Minnesota where his mission is to create a fun-filled community of dancers with excellent instructors all wrapped in a beautiful ballroom.

Lindsey is a fourth generation native of Anoka, Minnesota and has had nearly a decade of classical training in ballet, jazz, tap and lyrical throughout her childhood until she became involved in her high school dance line. She continued to pursue her love of dance as a creative outlet by becoming an assistant director of a nonprofit dance ensemble throughout college. No stranger to competition or performing, Lindsey has danced in events as well known as the Super Bowl halftime show. Instructing ballroom since 2005, she finds that the technical and competitive nature of ballroom dancing captures her passion and fuels her drive to spread her love of dance to all.

As a dance teacher, Alyssa's primary focus is to see that you reach your dancing goals; whether you want to become a competitive dancer, or a proficient social dancer. No matter what dancing experience you have (or lack thereof), Alyssa works to find a method of teaching that will suit your goals, personality, and learning style. With her effervescent personality she emphasizes the importance of dancing with strong technical ability which makes dancing with anybody not only easier, but more enjoyable!

Alyssa has been dancing and performing since she was 3 years old, spending most of her energy on studying ballet at Minnesota Dance Theatre & School here in Minneapolis . She is an adept tap dancer and has an extensive background in music theater as a dancer as well as a singer. Her love for ballroom dancing began socially when she discovered salsa and swing dancing. She now embraces all kinds of partner dancing from Viennese Waltz and West Coast Swing to Argentine Tango and Foxtrot. She has been involved in the ballroom dancing industry for almost 5 years as an instructor at various studios and as a professional competitor. She currently competes in American Smooth with her professional partner Shane Meuwissen and continues to actively improve her own dancing and technical understanding of it.

Ever since Shane was a child, he immersed himself deep into the arts. Creativity and expression through movement and music has always been a focal point of his life. In recent years, he began to explore the art of Ballroom Dancing. As a student of Ballroom Dancing, Shane excelled quickly and realized that he had a keen understanding of Ballroom Dancing. He was able to intergrate the technical elements of dancing with the artistic side of dancing. Through this whole process he continued to maintain the mantra that while attaining proper dance technique can be challenging, "Dancing Is Always Fun!"

Shane is well-versed in many dances, everything from Waltz to Salsa. He has taught in several different styles, including Smooth, Rhythm, and Standard. He works with dancers at all levels, beginning dancers to advanced dancers. We all start dancing for different reasons and everybody has different goals for their dancing, whether you want to be a star competitive dancer or any amazing social dancer, there are common qualities that all good dancers have. Shane helps his students to become the best dancer they can. It is with a good understanding of the fundamentals of danc and an ability to socially dance with anyone we meet on the dance floor, that we become an amazing dancer.

Eileen started ballroom dancing with her boyfriend at the time, John, 6 years ago. After getting engaged and performing a wedding waltz John decided to retire and Eileen decided to take up competitive ballroom dancing in order to be able to continue to dance.

Together with fellow business partner and dance instructor, Eric Hudson, Eileen is one of the top pro/am competitors in the country in American Smooth, International Latin and American Rhythm dance styles.