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welcome to ethnic dance theatre: your passport to the world

dance troupe: training

EDT dancers have collectively and individually studied with renowned choreographers from around the world, including Peter Iliev (Bulgaria), Tiang Jiang Cui (China), Nicolas Petrish (Croatia), Frantisek Bonus (Czech Republic), Jacek Marek (Poland) and Sherap Wangmo (Tibet).

dance troupe: roster

John Czichray
joined EDT: 1999-2000
expertise/background: Dancer with Dolina Polish Folk Dancers; former dancer with Isvorasul Romanian Dance Ensemble, Ukrainian Dance Ensemble and Cheremosh Ukrainian dancers ; engineer with Boston Scientific
fun fact: Engineer...enough said

Cade Holmseth
joined EDT: 2006-07
expertise/background: Graduate of the University of Minnesota Dance program
fun fact: I could once swim two and a half laps of the pool underwater

Stefan Iwaskewycz
joined EDT: 1998-99
expertise/background: Former dancer with Cheremosh Ukrainian dancers; associate with Accent Store Fixtures
fun fact: In Ukraine during Orange Revolution

Emily Judd
joined EDT: 2005-06
expertise/background: B.A. in Dance from St. Olaf College, Modern Dance; sales manager at Nordstrom
fun fact: Has an adorable 2 year old pug named “Ole”

Donald LaCourse (artistic director and co-founder)
founded EDT: 1973
expertise/background: German folk dance; Hungarian folk dance; traditional folk costumes of the world; folk traditions of the former Yugoslav republics; studied dance in Bulgaria, Hungary, Germany, Costa Rica
fun fact: Used to make and sell wigs for hookers and transvestites.

Mark LaCourse
joined EDT: 1974
expertise/background: German folk dance
fun fact: Father of Matthew LaCourse, the first “second generation” EDT dancer

Matthew LaCourse
joined EDT: 2003-2004
expertise/background: Dancer with SG Edelweiss; junior in high school
fun fact: First “second generation” EDT dancer

Renee LaCourse
joined EDT: 1975
expertise/background: German folk dance
fun fact: Once called "a sunny, sturdy blond that spins like a top" in an EDT interview.

Lynn Petros-Winn
joined EDT: 1992
expertise/background: BFA in Dance from University of Minnesota; modern dance
fun fact: Owns and operates a light bulb and computer recycling business.

Tori Piorek
joined EDT: 2005-06
expertise/background: Dancer with Dolina Polish Folk Dancers; student at University of Minnesota

Zinta Pone
joined EDT: 1996-97
expertise/background: Singer, dancer in Latvian folk ensemble

Kaja Rajtar
seasons in edt: 2
expertise/background: Dancer with Dolina Polish Folk Dancers; high school junior
fun fact: I’m left handed

Eric Ray
joined: 2003-04
expertise/background: Dancer with SG Edelweiss, high school senior
fun fact: Accomplished accordionist

Tyrone Schenk
joined: 2006-07
expertise/background: Southern German folk dance, training in Germany and Austria; dual-degree student in Entrepreneurship/Marketing and German at University of Minnesota
fun fact: Plays in two broomball leagues during the winter

Lauren Simpson
joined: 2006-07
expertise/background: Graduate of Carleton College
fun fact: Personal fitness trainer

Kjersti Sletten
joined EDT: 2003-04
expertise/background: Graduate of St. Olaf, Dance Major and History; Masters in Education at University of St. Thomas
fun fact: Former synchronized swimmer

Daniel Wovcha
joined EDT: 1997-98
expertise/background: Recreational swing and disco dancer; ecologist at Department of Natural Resources, State of Minnesota
fun fact: Daniel incorporates telemark skiing, ice hockey and bowling into his ethnic dance training regimen,

Anne von Bibra Wharton
joined EDT: 1989-90
expertise/background: Professor of Ballroom and Folk Dance, St. Olaf College

where else you can spot edt dancers

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