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.

At Arts & Mentoring Project (AMP), we believe every young person deserves a place to express themselves and grow through the arts. Our dance sessions give students in the Pipestone area an opportunity to explore creativity, build confidence, and be part of a positive, encouraging dance community.

Each session is designed to give dancers, whether they’re stepping into a studio for the first time or continuing to develop their skills, a chance to learn new movements, practice teamwork, and express themselves in a fun and supportive environment. Our instructors focus on helping students feel empowered, stay active, and experience the joy that comes from being part of the arts.

Fall 2025 Session

We’re currently in the middle of our Fall 2025 dance session, and our dancers are hard at work preparing for a special year-end performance. On December 13th, families and community members are invited to join us at the Pipestone Performing Arts Center for a showcase celebrating everything our students have learned this season.

Why Join AMP Dance?

Open to all youth in our area, no experience needed
Encouraging instructors who help kids discover their strengths
Affordable, accessible arts programming for Pipestone families
A welcoming, uplifting environment where every dancer belongs
Performance opportunities that build confidence and pride through structure

Whether your child dreams of being on stage or simply wants to try something new, AMP is a place where they can grow, connect, and have fun.

We’d love to welcome your dancer into our next session! Let AMP be a place where they feel supported, inspired, and excited to learn.

What's Upcoming for Arts & Mentoring Project?

Listed below are events we have planned for the PAC's Season 32

(September 2025 through August 2026)

Hard Knock Life Dance Intensive

January 7th, 14th & 21st, 2026

ANNIE Kids Version

July 8th - July 19th, 2026

Seussical Kids Version

July 22nd - August 2nd, 2026

Arts & Mentoring Project Board of Directors

Jenn Sheldon
President

Samantha Davis
Vice President / Secretary

Mark Thode
Treasurer

Linsey Prunty
Board Director

Reggie Gorter
Board Director, Founder

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

Hey friends - reminder that the deadline to register for our Summer Theatre Camp - Aladdin KIDS is this Wednesday, July 16th. You can register online at https://www.artsandmentoringproject.org/home/summer-theatre-camp. Here are the quick details:

🔸 Camp Dates - July 27th to August 3rd
🔹 For students entering 3rd grade through 18 years old.
🔸 Camp & public performances held at the Pipestone Performing Arts Center in Historic Downtown Pipestone
🔹 Camp days will be 4-6 hours in length, with lunch provided by volunteers of Arts & Mentoring Project.
🔸 Public performances on Sunday, August 3rd. There will be a matinee performance at 2:00 p.m., and a tentative 5:00 p.m. performance. Each performance is approximately a half hour in length.
🔹 Registration for the camp costs each participant $90. If you have more than one student in your family interested: the first student costs $90, the following students cost $75.
🔸 Deadline to register is Wednesday, July 16th. Payment methods accepted are cash or check.
🔹 This camp is directed by Jenn Sheldon, and musically led by Samantha Davis. Amy Blom will assist as the production's Stage Manager.

AMP Dance T-shirt Fundraiser!

Want to support AMP Dance and “Our mission is to provide an arts experience dedicated to mentoring and performing. By welcoming all students we commit to guiding their character and artistic passion in a fun, disciplined environment advancing both the individual and the community.”

Head to Sojo’s website (link below) between now and Sunday to order a t-shirt to support our dance and cheer students.

https://sojossportswearembroidery.square.site/product/amp-tshirt/903?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false

Want to support Arts and Mentoring Project and the upcoming Spring Session of dance? 🌸🌼🌺🌷

We will be having a Community Impact Night at Pizza Ranch 🍕 April 30th from 5pm-8pm where Pizza Ranch will be donating ALL tips and 10% of sales to Arts & Mentoring Project. Funds donated will help fund scholarships for students and purchasing items students will need or utilize during their lessons.

*With that, we will need some student and family help that evening. If you are willing to help, look for more info the first night of classes next week or reach out to Jenn*

A feature for our Student Intern!

Keegan Otter

“I am 14 years old. I love to sing and dance. I took dance for over 5 years and loved it. Now I do colorgaurd! This fall, I assisted Jenn in dance with grades prek-6th grade. And I did a lot of dancing in the musical, Frozen Jr.”

You’ll see Keegan around helping with teachers and assistants, as well as anywhere he is needed to fill in. Keegan helped us last session and was eager to come help this session. He is always willing to help out when asked and we are so appreciative of his positive and fun attitude in the classroom.

Have you signed up for dance or cheer yet? It is not too late!
Head to our website www.artsandmentoringproject.org to find more information, schedules, and to register.

A bonus feature for one of our assistants!

Meet Phoebe Sheldon!

“Hey! My name is Phoebe & I am an Elementary Para at PAS.

I’ve loved being front and center on a stage since I was little. I started cheer and dance when I was 6 years old and loved it ever since! I did cheer all throughout high school, and did many solo and group dances in between then. Last summer I was the director’s assistant for Frozen Jr. and it was such a fun experience.

I love being able to be a positive influence in kids lives and I’m so excited to be an assistant teaching cheer with my HS cheer coach, Mariah!”

We are so excited for Phoebe to come back and help out! Phoebe was a student at Reggie Gorter’s Performing Arts Studio way back before it was dissolved and turned its attention to AMP, so it is so exciting watching it come full circle for her! We love how much students love Phoebe and how she can connect with younger students and provide them with a positive atmosphere. Also, having cheer come full circle for her is so great to see and that Mariah and Phoebe will be so beneficial for those interested in cheer in High School; this will be a great stepping stone for students.

Have you signed up for dance or cheer yet? Head to our website, www.artsandmentoringproject.org to find more information, scheduling, and registration.

Dance and Cheer classes starts next week on April 7th!

If you are in need of dancewear, we will have a limited amount of shoes, leotards, tights, and skirts available to purchase or lend the week of dance.

You can also find items online for shoes as low as $9.99 and leotards with skirts as low as $12.00 on Amazon. Another great resource is www.discountdance.com or you can find items to try on and purchase at The Dance Line in Sioux Falls.

Here is our “What to Wear” from the teachers:

Starting this session we would like to get everyone wearing correct dance shoes and dancewear. We will maintain a shoe & clothing swap onsite. There is also a dancewear/shoe donation dropoff at SoJo’s Sportswear & Embroidery downtown Pipestone.

-Cheer: leggings/sweats, tennis shoes or jazz shoes, hair up & out of face.

-Dance: dance wear such as leotards, jazz pants, leggings, Yoga pants, skirts, no preference in color. Avoid loose fitting clothing such as baggy sweats or t-shirts or constrictive clothing such as jeans. No big jewelry. Appropriate dance shoes such as ballet, tap, jazz are required. Do NOT get ballet shoes that look like bedroom slippers. Hair should be up (ponytail or bun) and away from face.

If there are any questions, please don’t be afraid ask your teachers.

We are so excited for classes to start next week!

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PO BOX 43

104 Main Street East

Pipestone, MN, 56164

507-825-2020 (Box Office)

605-695-8626

director@pipestoneperformingartscenter.com