At the Arts & Mentoring Project, our mission is to create meaningful arts experiences that empower young people to grow - artistically, personally, and socially. Located in the heart of Pipestone, MN, we welcome students of all backgrounds and abilities into a supportive, energetic, and structured environment where creativity thrives. Through mentorship, arts education, and a wide variety of performance opportunities, we strive to nurture confidence, character, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts. By developing each individual’s unique talents, we strengthen not only the artist, but also the community they help shape.
Fall 2026 Dance
& Cheer Classes
Get ready to move, groove, and grow! Our Fall 2026 dance and cheer program offers fun, encouraging classes for preschool through 8th grade, giving young performers the opportunity to build skills, confidence, creativity, and friendships in a supportive environment. Whether your child is brand new to dance or already loves to perform, there is a place for everyone.
Registration & Open House
Registration for Fall 2026 is now open! Families are invited to attend our Open House on Monday, August 31, from 4:30–6:00 p.m. at the Pipestone Performing Arts Center. Come meet the instructors, try on dance shoes, ask questions, and complete registration in person.
The fall session will begin the week of September 7 and will run through December, with a planned pause in classes from approximately October 3–25 due to Calumet Players performances and remodeling work in the PPAC basement. Classes will resume October 26 and continue through December 19, culminating in our Holiday Showcase on December 19. The session will provide approximately 12–15 weeks of instruction, depending on the class schedule and planned facility pause.
Classes & Tuition
Preschool Dance — Ages 3–4
Mondays, 4:00–4:30 p.m. | $105 | Instructor: Jenn Sheldon
A second preschool class from 4:35–5:05 p.m. may be added if there is sufficient enrollment.
Jr. Kindergarten–2nd Grade Dance
Tuesdays, 4:00–5:00 p.m. | $180 | Instructor: Linsey, with Maddie assisting
This class combines Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Hip-Hop, giving young dancers an exciting introduction to several styles of dance in one class.
In Ballet & Tap, dancers will build foundational technique, learn choreography for performances and recitals, and develop coordination, creativity, confidence, and a love of dance. Just as importantly, they will have the opportunity to make friends and learn how to support one another in a positive environment.
Hip-Hop provides a fun and energetic introduction to the style. Dancers will learn basic hip-hop steps and simple choreography, with no prior experience necessary. It is a great class for kids who love to groove and express themselves through movement.
Jazz introduces dancers to the basics of jazz technique, including flexibility, turns, and introductory choreography. Jazz is an upbeat style that encourages confidence, personality, and a little bit of spunk!
3rd–6th Grade Dance
Tuesdays, 5:00–6:00 p.m. | $180 | Instructor: Maddie, with Linsey assisting
Students will explore Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Hip-Hop while continuing to develop their technique, musicality, confidence, and performance skills.
In Ballet, dancers will be introduced to foundational ballet positions, movements, terminology, proper technique, and body control. Classes focus on developing strength, balance, coordination, and confidence—and dancers will even leave knowing a little French along the way!
Tap introduces dancers to basic tap steps and choreography, using movement to create rhythm and sound. It is a great choice for students who are musically inclined or simply enjoy making some noise!
Jazz is a fun, upbeat class focused on developing technique, flexibility, basic turns, performance skills, and confident stage presence.
Hip-Hop offers an energetic environment where dancers will learn hip-hop steps, tricks, and basic choreography while building strength, coordination, confidence, and performance ability.
Cheerleading — K–4th Grade
Wednesdays, 5:00–5:40 p.m. | $135 | Instructor: Amanda, with Maddie assisting
Cheerleading — 5th–8th Grade
Wednesdays, 5:45–6:30 p.m. | $150 | Instructor: Amanda, with Maddie assisting
Cheer is a fun, high-energy class where participants learn the fundamentals of cheerleading, including cheers, motions, jumps, teamwork, and spirit. Classes are designed to build confidence, coordination, and enthusiasm while giving students a fun introduction to the fundamentals of cheer.
What to wear.
For Ballet, dancers should wear a leotard and tights, dance skirt, bikers, jazz pants, or other fitted clothing. Please avoid baggy pants and hoodies. Pink ballet shoes are required; ballet house slippers and street shoes are not permitted. Hair below the shoulders should be pulled back.
For Tap, dancers should wear a leotard and tights, bikers, jazz pants, or other fitted clothing. Black tap shoes are required.
For Hip-Hop, dancers may wear comfortable athletic clothing that allows for plenty of movement. Clean tennis shoes are appropriate.
For Jazz, dancers may wear a leotard and tights, jazz pants, or other comfortable fitted clothing. Jazz shoes, ballet shoes, or bare feet are acceptable.
For 3rd–6th Grade Ballet, leotards and tights are preferred, although form-fitting athletic wear is also acceptable. Hair below the shoulders should be tied back. Dancers should wear ballet shoes or go barefoot.
For 3rd–6th Grade Tap, athletic wear is preferred, along with tap shoes.
For 3rd–6th Grade Jazz, dancers may wear athletic wear or tights and a leotard. Hair below the shoulders should be tied back. Jazz shoes, ballet shoes, or bare feet are acceptable.
For 3rd–6th Grade Hip-Hop, athletic wear is recommended, although loose clothing is perfectly fine as long as it is comfortable for lots of movement. Clean tennis shoes should be worn.
For Cheer, students should wear shorts, a shirt or tank top, and clean tennis shoes. Clothing should allow for movement but should not be overly baggy.
We can't wait to welcome our dancers and cheerleaders back to the Pipestone Performing Arts Center for another fun-filled season of movement, creativity, friendship, and performance!
Meet The Instructors
Linsey Prunty
Meet Miss Linsey! Linsey holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design and is a domestic engineer (stay-at-home mom) who enjoys life as a farmer’s wife to Paul, mom to her daughter Sawyer, and dog mom to her yellow Lab, Boji. Linsey grew up dancing at Tina’s Dance Studio in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, and has been teaching dance for approximately six years. Before becoming a mom, she owned a small business, LC Design, in downtown Pipestone. Linsey is also active in her community, currently serving on four different civic and nonprofit boards. A few fun facts about Linsey: she appeared in a Wal-Mart commercial when she was six years old and honeymooned at Disney World! When she’s not teaching, Linsey loves puppies, spending summer days in Okoboji, drinking iced coffee, getting her nails done, and—most of all—building friendships with her students and their families. Her favorite dance styles are ballet and lyrical.
Madeline Kocer
Meet Miss Maddie! Maddie, also known as Mrs. K, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from South Dakota State University and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of South Dakota. She is a trauma-certified Licensed Graduate Social Worker and works as an elementary school social worker at PAS. Maddie is also a new mom to Violet and a dog mom to Ollie and Vega. With 15 years of competitive cheer and dance experience, she has learned and performed more than 15 different styles of dance. She is a Grade 4 ballerina, tested through the New York Ballet Association, and is also double-jointed. Maddie and her husband chose to move to Pipestone largely because he wanted to live in the same state as the Minnesota Vikings! Outside of dance, Maddie enjoys spending time at her lake cabin and playing fetch with her dogs. Most of all, she loves being a safe, supportive, and caring presence for the kids she works with. Her favorite dance styles are ballet and pom.
Amanda Hoss
Meet Miss Amanda! Amanda is excited to join the team as a cheer coach and bring a season filled with team spirit, hard work, laughter, and amazing memories. She holds a Master’s degree in Special Education with a minor in Business and currently works as a County Support Specialist for 4-H and ANR, as well as a bar manager. Amanda has coached cheer at PAS for approximately five years and cheered throughout college. Outside of coaching, Amanda is a wife to her husband, Chris, whom she has been married to for more than 18 years, and a mom to three children, Landin, Emma, and Ethan. Her family also includes two dogs and a cat! Amanda has a wide variety of interests and experiences—she was a volunteer firefighter for seven years, used to race dirt track, and owned her own daycare for eight years. She thrives in chaotic situations and loves being a sports mom, reading, taking photos, bragging about her kids, and staying busy. Amanda especially enjoys watching her kids play sports, reading a good book, sharing a dad joke, meeting new people, and watching children’s eyes light up when they learn something new. As a coach, Amanda promises to encourage, believe in, challenge, and celebrate every student, creating a space where everyone can learn, laugh, and grow together.
Jenn Sheldon
Meet Miss Jenn! Jenn is the AMP Dance & Cheer Director and will be teaching Preschool Creative Dance this fall, while also assisting with other classes as needed. She is passionate about creating a positive, welcoming environment where everyone can have fun, learn, and feel supported. Jenn is a wife and mom of six who loves learning new things and isn’t afraid to throw herself into new experiences—even when she has no idea what she’s doing! She began dancing at age five with Reggie Gorter as her instructor and has continued to share her love of dance with young students. Jenn’s dream job is to be a full-time children’s theater director, and she especially enjoys watching students grow, learn, build friendships, and become mentors to one another. Outside of dance and theater, Jenn loves spending time with her family, her dog Naz, and listening to Michael Jackson. Her favorite dance style is Creative Dance with her littles!
Arts & Mentoring Project Board of Directors
Jenn Sheldon
President
Reggie Gorter
Treasurer, Secretary, Founder
Samantha Davis
Board Director
Linsey Prunty
Board Director
Kristina Meulebroeck
Board Director
Who are we?
The Arts & Mentoring Project is a community-centered organization in Pipestone, Minnesota, dedicated to enriching the lives of young people through the power of the arts. We believe that every student, regardless of background, experience level, or personal challenges, deserves a place where they can explore their creativity, feel supported, and discover what they’re capable of achieving.
At the heart of our work is the belief that artistic growth and personal growth go hand in hand. Our programs combine high, quality arts education with intentional mentorship, providing students not only with the technical skills they need to perform, but also with the confidence, discipline, and character that carry into every part of life. Whether students are learning to dance, sing, act, or collaborate on a production, they are guided by caring mentors who encourage them to take risks, ask questions, and celebrate their own progress.
We embrace a welcoming, inclusive environment where students can feel safe expressing themselves and being part of something meaningful. Through rehearsals, workshops, performances, and community events, participants learn the value of teamwork, perseverance, and creativity. Our approach is fun, structured, and filled with positive energy, designed to help each individual thrive while contributing to a stronger, more connected community.
The Arts & Mentoring Project isn’t just about creating performers; it’s about helping young people discover their voice, their passion, and their place in the world. As they learn, grow, and shine, they inspire others and help build a vibrant arts culture in Pipestone for generations to come.
Our History
2014 An informal research project was completed at the Reggie Gorter Performing Arts Studio that showed a need for affordable, arts centered education & mentoring.
2015 Ongoing monitoring of Pipestone’s needs for quality arts programs for the underserved.
2016 Three planning meetings with staff from Reggie Gorter Performing Arts Studio, community members, parents, studio staff and artists.
2017 Official first board meeting took place on January 7, 2017 meeting a total of 10 times. The board drafted & filed legal documents for state nonprofit status & federal tax exempt status. We are awaiting finalization of federal tax exempt status. The board of directors has been working board structure & duties, funding sources, facility, & continual participation in community conversations regarding the needs of the Pipestone area.
2018 501c3 paperwork goes through in March; Pipestone Forward acting as Fiscal Agent
2019 Space is rented at the Jasper Community Center, the Quartziter. Our first big project “The Lion King Jr. Experience” enjoys much success. Followed by the Vocal Study of the Greatest Showman.
2020 Pandemic stopped all progress except for private lessons.
2021 Performed Moana Jr. and started the Kids Rock Band.
2022 Summer Arts Camp with outdoor performance, Scrooge the Musical!
2023 Scrooge! The Musical
2024 Performed Frozen Jr., Fall 2024 5 week basic dance movement session at the PPAC
2025 Spring / Fall 2025 Dance Session at 1st Presbyterian Church, Performed Aladdin Kids in the summer
