Burnsville Blazettes
Dance Team
Burnsville Blazette Coaches
Megan Thomas
Winter Varsity Head Coach
Megan Thomas is a 2014 graduate from Burnsville where she spent 4 years as a member of the Blazettes. Placing 3rd at state in kick her junior year on the team. Megan was an All State Kick dancer her junior and senior years and also received the Blazette award her senior year of being on the team. This will be her eighth consecutive year returning to coach the Blazettes. She previously coached the JV team for four years prior to becoming Varsity Head Coach in 2019. This season Megan is a Co Head Coach for Winter Varsity Blazettes. Megan is dedicated to her Blazette dancers and her she is commitment to helping her dancers grow individually and as a team. Megan's growth mindset and continuous improvement approach is a driving force behind the Blazettes team!
"I cannot wait to see the improvement of your daughters in not only their dancing skills, but life skills that come along with being a part of this amazing team!"
Alyssa McKeag
Alyssa Sinclair graduated from Burnsville High School in 2014 where she danced on the varsity dance team all 4 years she was on the team and was an All-Conference and All-State Jazz dancer her senior year. Her favorite moment was dancing at state her junior year and dancing “House of the Rising Sun” her senior year at sections. After high school she went to University of Minnesota Duluth where she graduated with her B.A in Elementary & Special Education in 2018. Alyssa will start her first teaching job in 2019 at Hastings Middle School teaching special education! Alyssa started coaching in 2018 with JV Blazettes. Alyssa is focused and is an expert in her attention to details in all aspects of planning preparing and developing dancers for a successful season!
This season Alyssa is back as a Co Head Coach for Winter Varsity Blazettes.
Winter Varsity Head Coach
AnnMarie Engebretson
AnnMarie graduated from Burnsville High School in 2015. AnnMarie grew up dancing competitively at Center Stage Dance Studio where she had the opportunity to train in multiple genres of dance. In high school, she spent 4 fall seasons and 3 winter seasons on the Varsity Blazettes. Her favorite memories of being a Blazette were placing 3rd in state with her team, as well as being an All State Jazz dancer her senior year. AnnMarie studied at Gustavus Adolphus College, where she graduated with her B.A in Elementary Education in 2019. There she enjoyed dancing on the Gustavus Adolphus College Dance Team, singing in choir, and working in the coffee shop and book store on campus. AnnMarie has extensive experience teacheing dance both in studio as well as for high school dance teams. AnnMarie is excited to be back with this amazing team and to be part of the Blazette Legacy and we are thrilled to have AnnMarie who is truly "All In" when it comes to coaching!
Winter JV Head Coach
Soponnie Phan
Soponnie is back for her 3rd year as a Winter JV Blazette Coach! Soponnie grew up dancing and trained at a competitive studio since the age of 6.
In 2010 she joined the Blazettes Dance team and spent the next 3 years dancing with the team. Soponnie is proud to be part of the Blazette Legacy and is a big part in the success of her team.
As a Blazette, Soponnie and her team had multiple years they made it to the state tournament, including her senior year placing 3rd in State for High Kick. Soponnie was on the Varsity Jazz team for all 3 years and Varsity Kick for 2 years. She brings strength, skill and expert knowledge as a coach but Soponnie is also known for brining creativity, positivity, and passion into teaching the Blazettes and her energy and attitude makes her so adored by the dancer she coaches.
When Soponnie is not coaching withthe Blazettes she can be found at Spalon Montage Salon and Spa in Edina where she works as a hairstylist.
Winter JV Head Coach
Jessi Mosley
Jessi Mosley began dancing at the age of 3. She was trained at Monique School of Dance in ballet, pointe, lyrical, tap, jazz, Broadway, and was a member of the performance company. One of her favorite memories is dancing in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Jessi participated in dance team from 7th-9th grade in Burnsville. While attending Burnsville High School, Jessi was a performer, co-choreographer, and assistant director for numerous musicals and plays. She was the president of the theatre department her junior and senior years. After graduating, Jessi choreographed for the Burnsville High School theater department from 2003-2016.
Jessi attended college at the University of MN-Duluth where she choreographed and danced in many shows and productions and was an active member of Attitudes Dance Association and Barebones Dance Concerts. Jessi had an internship teaching ballet at UMD and took a mixture of technique, choreography, and dance history classes. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in English Literature and minors in dance and psychology.
Jessi coached the Duluth Central Trojanette Dance Team from 2004-2005, the Eagan Wildcats Dance Team from 2007-2010, the Nicollet Middle School Dance Team in Burnsville from 2010-2011, the Apple Valley AVaire Dance Team from 2017-2019, and the Burnsville Blazette Dance Team in 2016 and 2019-present.
Jessi is a Paramedic, the Aquatics Coordinator for ISD 191, and the Assistant Director of Shana's Dance Studio in Savage.
Fall Head Coach
Julie Vue
Julie Vue began her dancing experience in 2007 with the Farmington High School Dance Team. During her time on the team, she danced Varsity kick and jazz, and was named Captain her senior year. In addition to being on the dance team, Julie spent her time in high school on the Varsity cheerleading team. She was named a two-time Captain, UCA three-time All American Cheerleader, and performed at the Capital One Bowl in Orlando, Florida.
Julie coached the Farmington Dance Team from 2013-2016, the Lakeville South Cougar Dance Team in 2013 & 2015, the Apple Valley AVaires Dance Team from 2017-2019, and the Burnsville Blazettes Dance Team 2019-present.
Julie resides in Farmington, MN with her husband, Tyler, daughter, Stella, and Australian Shepard, Bailey. She is a full-time Dental Hygienist in Farmington. In her free time, she enjoys long walks around Target with a Venti iced coffee from Starbucks. She is excited to be back for another season with the Burnsville Blazettes family!
Fall Assistant Coach
Annica Reddemann
Fall Assistant Coach
Annica Reddemann began dancing at the age of three at Ovations Dance Studio in New Prague, MN and continued dancing at LC Steppers in Le Center, MN. Annica participated in gymnastics at New Prague Gymnastics Association and Mankato Area Gymnastics. Annica was a six-year captain of Tri-City Middle School and High School football, wrestling, and basketball cheerleading squads. Annica danced varsity kick and jazz and was a 4-year captain of Tri-City High School Black Diamonds Dance Team. She also participated in high school volleyball and golf. Annica had the honor of representing Montgomery, MN as a royal ambassador from 2015-2016.
Annica attended the University of Minnesota - Morris. During her time at Morris, she was involved in dance ensemble, football cheerleading, and the dance team. Annica graduated with a degree in biology with an emphasis in environmental studies & science and a minor in dance.
Annica coached the Tri-City Black Diamond Dance Team from 2016-2019 and the Burnsville Blazettes Dance Team from 2020-present.
Annica currently works for Ag Partners Coop in Le Center, MN as a Seed Lead. She has volunteered at the Mrs. Minnesota and Kolacky pageants, Fishing Clubs, Relay for Life, RoCrop, and community events. She enjoys outdoor activities, cooking, and running. Annica is excited to be back for another season with the Blazettes!
Ashley Ross
Fall Assistant Coach
Ashley Ross started dancing at the age of five at Brenda’s School of Dance, training in classical ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and musical theater. She created and coached the Dance Team prep class at Brenda’s School of Dance. In high school, Ashley served as captain of the Farmington High School Varsity Sideline Football and Competitive Cheerleading teams. She was a 2x UCA All-American and an MCCA All-State cheerleader, an MCCA Honor Team member, and a 2x WOW Factor Cheer & Dance National Champion. She also was a part of the Farmington High School Dance Team where she competed in both varsity kick and jazz. Ashley was involved in pageantry, winning both the Miss Minnesota High School and National American Miss Minnesota Teen titles.
Ashley is a graduate of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities earned her bachelor’s degree in communications and was an active member of Delta Gamma Fraternity. Ashley works at Calabrio as a Senior Talent Acquisition Partner where she hires top tech talent across the globe. She lives in Brooklyn Park with her husband, Jon, son Callahan, and dog, Winter, where they enjoy walks by the river and going to Top Golf. Ashley is so excited to be returning for her third year with the Blazettes!
