Company Director, Dance Instructor

Tricia’s extensive professional dance career took her all over the world. She danced for the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and appeared in country music videos for Billy Ray Cyrus, Dolly Parton, Doug Stone, and Trisha Yearwood.

Tricia has also performed live with country music legends George Jones, Tammy Wynette, and Louise Mandrell. She served as a principal dancer with the Houston Grand Opera, traveled the world with Sesame Street, and spent time in New York on Broadway and off-Broadway productions.

Operations Manager, Dance Instructor

Shawna danced with Mountain West Ballet Company as one of its founding and youngest members for 15 years. She received additional training at Ballet West Conservatory, the Utah Ballet Company, and the University of Utah Ballet Department, where she earned a BFA in Ballet.

Shawna has taught dance for more than 20 years and has a passion for choreography. Her original works have appeared in The Millennium Celebration, Sandy Dance Alliance, and numerous studio and school productions. She was the director and choreographer for Balleraena Dance Studios’ winter productions for five years.

Curriculum Coordinator, Dance Instructor

Rachel began dancing at Prima School of Dancing at age four. She studied ballet, pointe, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, musical theatre, and modern in high school. After graduation, Rachel trained at the Joffrey Ballet School’s Trainee Program and Ellison Ballet’s Pre-Professional Trainee Program in New York City. She danced with Ballet Magnificat! in Jackson, Mississippi, training and touring for the next two years.

After her time in the South, Rachel joined the arts ministry in Italy. Since moving back to Rapid City, Rachel has become certified as a Reformer STOTT Pilates Trainer.

Dance Instructor

Laura began dancing at Prima School of Dancing at age three. Her passion for dance convinced her to pursue a BA in Dance from the University of Montana, Missoula, and study at Dance New Amsterdam and Broadway Dance Center in New York City and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance in Denver.

Laura studied with choreographer Antonietta Vicario in New York and has performed with MoTrans Dance Company and Epiphany Dance Company. She choreographed and produced her own shows in Montana and showcased her solo "Filtration" at the American College Dance Festival. She has taught at Kids and Company, Ballet Arts of Academy, University of Montana, Creative Dance Kids, Leap Dance Studio, On Pointe School of Dance, and, of course, Prima School of Dancing.

Dance Instructor

Nicci brings 30+ years of dance, teaching, and choreography experience to Prima. She began her professional education at the American Conservatory of Dance in Chicago while taking classes at the Lou Conte (Hubbard Street Co.) and Gus Giordano studios and performing with Especially Tap Chicago's artistic director, Julie Cartier, and founder Bruce Stegmann. She was crowned Miss North Dakota in 1994.

Nicci was a ballroom dance instructor in Costa Rica while studying Latin dance, salsa, and merengue. Afterward, she taught a variety of dance genres at the Aberdeen Arts and Cultural Center and served as a member of the South Dakota Dance on Tour, SDAC committee.

Dance Instructor

Nikki was born and raised in Rapid City and found her passion for dance at Prima when she was 10 years old. She continued dancing through high school and into college in Arizona. She received her associate's degree in 2004 while teaching dance in Tempe before moving back to Rapid City.

Her daughter, Scotlyn, is five years old and has been dancing at Prima for two years now. She is following in her mom’s footsteps and loves to dance. Nikki used to dance with Miss Christy when she was younger and always loved it, so now she feels so honored to be teaching at Prima herself. She loves sharing her passion for dance with the little ones and is excited to see what the future holds as she is back in the dance world with Prima.

Dance Instructor, Office Staff

Kate grew up in rural Kadoka, South Dakota, an hour and a half away from any dance studio. She took her first class when she was 12 and never looked back. She quickly caught up with her peers because of her love and determination. Kate was awarded a scholarship two years in a row to Snowy Range Dance Festival, where she trained under professionals in all styles. Kate is grateful for her experience learning from multiple teachers and professionals over the course of her dance education. She was truly honored to be offered a teaching position at Prima. Kate completed training with More Than Just Great Dancing and has learned so much from her experience as an assistant teacher. Last year Kate taught Ballet 3, Ballet 2/3, Kinderballet/Tap, Primary Ballet/Tap, and Creative Dance and thoroughly enjoys teaching private lessons at Prima. She loves her students with all of her heart and is passionate about building relationships with them and their families, as well as building technical and creative dancers.

Dance Instructor

Interested in joining the Prima team? We are always looking for highly qualified dance instructors to help transform the lives of our students through dance. Learn more about working at Prima and apply here!

Josi is a Rapid City native, wife, and mom to three kids, two of whom have danced at Prima from Creative Dance class on. Having worked in public school education, she finds interacting with students and families to be a joy. Josi is passionate about helping young dancers just getting started and is especially fond of recital time — from theme reveal and choreography to the final performance, where all the hard work comes together for an amazing show.

Becky is a retired nurse. She is trying to see how many jobs she can have in retirement, but with Prima, she may have found her niche. She loves the music and creative energy, but most of all the interaction with the dancers. Becky admires the hard work and dedication the students and instructors have. When not at Prima, she has grandkids to babysit, pets to feed, books to read, and, in the summer, flowers to tend.

Jadyn grew up in Winner, South Dakota, and moved to Spearfish, South Dakota, for college. Jadyn double majored in Psychology and Human Services, graduated in May 2020, and moved to Rapid City to use her degree as an Employment Specialist for the Department of Labor and Regulation.

Jadyn loves to see all of the talent at Prima. She especially loves the excitement of the little ones as they tell her about their classes at pick-up time.