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Kristin Biwan
Varsity Head Coach
Entering Kristin’s 11th year as Edina Dance Team's head coach, she is grateful and so excited for the 2021-2022 season! Kristin was named the MADT AAA Head Coach of the Year in 2015 and also in 2017.
Biwan (formerly Luth) is from Shakopee, Minnesota, where she graduated from Shakopee High School (2006). Biwan graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2010 with a degree in Communication Studies and Dance. While there, Kristin was a member of the nationally recognized U of M Dance Team from 2007-2010, and captain of the 2009-2010 National and World Champion University of Minnesota Dance Team.
Kristin has been dancing for 30 years and continues to pursue her passion for dance outside of coaching. She was a member of the Minneapolis dance company, Crash Dance Productions for 9 seasons. Kristin is also an instructor and choreographer for Karl Mundt's company, Innovate Dance and works with dancers across the country. On the side, Kristin teaches Yoga Sculpt to dancers. Biwan also spends her days at her full-time position with Edina Public Schools as the Facilities Scheduler. She is married to her husband Tyler and they reside in Minnetonka, MN.
As the Edina Dance Team Head Coach, she is excited and proud to be able to share her knowledge and expertise with the dancers on her team. Her hope is to help her team grow throughout the season by reaching new heights and to help each dancer on the team achieve their personal goals.
Kristin’s EDT Mission Statement: My mission as the Head Coach of the Edina Dance Team is to provide our student athletes with respect, honesty and growth both in dance and personal development. I am dedicated to creating an experience that is supportive of the team's and individual's love for the sport and contributes to their well-being to prosper in future life endeavors.
Taylor Shupe
Varsity Assistant Coach
Taylor is currently at the University of St Thomas, majoring in Journalism. She is a part of their dance team, winning four UDA Double National Championship in jazz and hip hop. Her freshman year, she attended the University of Kentucky and was a part of their dance team as well; there she had the opportunity to represent our country as Team USA in both pom and hip hop at the 2017 ICU World Championship. Taylor is an instructor for UDA and was their 2017 Rookie of the Year! She is also a part of UDA’s Core Staff; a group of seven staff members leads all the training sessions for the full staff to prepare for the summer.
Taylor’s EDT Mission Statement: My mission as a Varsity Coach of the Edina Dance Team is to take the various dance experiences I have had to help continue to broaden our dancers’ experiences. I plan to lead the girls with honesty, respect and motivation. In addition, I aim to establish bonds with the dancers that make them feel welcome, safe and also encouraged to continue growing.
Etta Winje
Varsity Assistant Coach
This is Etta’s first year coaching the Edina Dance Team though she is no stranger to the program as a proud former member of the team. Growing up, Etta danced at Victoria Dance Productions in Edina for 16 years and was a 5 year member and 2 year captain of the Edina Varsity Dance Team. Etta was on the team for many exciting milestones for the program such as making it to state for Jazz the very first time in 2015 and then making it to state in Kick for the first time in 2017. For the past 5 summers Etta has taught at Just For Kix camps across the state including working with EDT members at the Brainerd JFK camps. Etta is a recent graduate of the University of Minnesota, where she majored in Special Education. This Fall she will start Grad school at the University of St. Thomas working towards her Masters in Teaching Special Education with a focus on Autism Spectrum Disorders. Etta just started teaching Kindergarten Special Education and is looking forward to the school year ahead. Coaching dance team combines her two loves, dance and teaching and she can not wait for the 2021-2022 season.
Etta’s EDT Mission Statement: My mission as a Varsity coach of the Edina Dance Team is to provide these student athletes with the same wonderful experience I had as a member of the team. Dance team goes beyond the practices and well beyond the two and a half minutes on the floor. There were so many life lessons I learned throughout my time on the team that have followed me well past my time at Edina and I can’t wait to use that to help this team grow not only as dancers but as people. I am so excited to be back with my favorite team.
Lauren Busyn
Varsity Assistant Coach
This is Lauren’s first year coaching the Edina Dance Team. She grew up in Edina Minnesota, attending Our Lady of Grace Catholic School up until the 8th grade and Edina Highschool through her senior year. Lauren danced at Larkin Dance Studio in Maplewood Minnesota, getting intense training in all styles and competing at the highest level. She then began dancing for the Edina Dance Team her sophomore year, becoming a captain her senior year. On the team, she fell in love with the sport even more, especially as she got to finally experience a true team and what being a teammate means. While on the team, she made it to state every year, making history and tying for first place in jazz her junior year. She is now a junior at the University of Minnesota, dancing on the University of Minnesota Dance Team. Other than dance, Lauren choreographs for dance studios around the state as well as teaches master classes.
As an alumni, Lauren hopes to give the girls in the program an experience they won’t forget. She became extremely close with her coaches forming a unique bond with each one, and she hopes to do the same with all of her athletes.
Lauren's EDT Mission Statement: My mission as a Varsity coach of the Edina Dance Team is to constantly be listening to the girls, and support them not only as dancers but as students and most importantly as humans. I want to constantly push the dancers to reach their goals and be the best possible version of themselves they can be and do anything in my power to help get them there. I also want to strive to push the program to new heights, breaking barriers and setting a new standard for what highschool dance team is and what it can be.
Taryn Pfeifenberger
Varsity Assistant Coach
This is Taryn’s first year coaching the Edina dance team. Taryn grew up in Shelby Twp, MI where she started dancing at the age of 3. Growing up, Taryn danced at Dancer’s Edge Studio where she was on their all star team. While being on the team she won 9 world championships at the USASF Dance worlds. Taryn was also a member of the Eisenhower Varsity Dance Team all four years of high school, was captain her senior year, and won 6 national championships at the UDA high school nationals. She also had the opportunity to represent the US national team for jazz and hip hop. Taryn is currently a second year member on the University of Minnesota dance team and is majoring in kinesiology.
Taryn’s EDT Mission Statement: My mission as a Varsity coach of the Edina Dance Team is to create a wonderful experience for the members of the team that they can look back at with no regrets. My years on my high school dance team were the best years of my life and I want nothing but the same experience for the athletes that I coach. I want them to learn life lessons that they can take with them and be a powerhouse in whatever field they choose in their future. I am so excited to be a part of the team and help make memories that the athletes will cherish forever.
Ava Diaz
Assistant Junior Varsity Coach
This is Ava’s sixth year as an assistant coach for the Edina Junior Varsity teams. Ava graduated from Edina High school (2015) and graduated from the University of St. Thomas in 2019 as Communication and Journalism major and English minor. She danced at Lake Harriet Dance Centre for eight years in addition to four years on Edina Dance Team and three years on Hornettes.
As an alumni of the team, Ava is grateful for the opportunity to continue to work with her teammates and coaches. Her hope is that the girls enjoy their experience through the program as much as she did. Overall, she is very excited to assist in improving the team as a whole and she can’t wait to watch them grow.
Ava’s EDT Mission Statement: My mission as an Assistant Coach of the Edina Dance Team is to lead the team in a positive and constructive manner that is not only engaging for the girls but also supports their growth as athletes, students and young adults. I will be honest, respectful and accepting of the girls throughout the season as I too am a representation of the program, school and community as a whole.
Allie Paulson
Assistant Junior Varsity Coach
Allie Paulson graduated from Minnesota State University - Mankato, in the Spring of 2019 with a Bachelor of Sciences in Corrections. Allie is currently pursuing her Masters in Social Work at Minnesota State University - Mankato. She spends her days at her full-time position with Edina Public Schools as a Security Monitor. Allie is entering her 7th year of coaching and 4th year with Edina Dance Team!
Allie started dancing at the age of two and followed with several years of competition dance culminating with dancing at Larkin Dance Studio. Allie then moved on to dancing for South St. Paul Dance Team where she holds many awards and titles including several state tournament appearances, All-Conference, All-State, and MVP. She was given the opportunity to be a member of Team Minnesota and compete at the Miss Dance Team Nationals in California during her senior year of high school. After high school, Allie was a member of the Minnesota State University - Mankato dance team where she proudly represented MSU at UDA Nationals in Orlando, Florida, and won a National Championship in 2016.
Allie’s EDT Mission Statement: My mission as an Assistant Coach of the Edina Dance Team is to lead the team in a safe, supportive, and positive environment. I will help make a positive influence in each athlete's life beyond dance, help them explore their potential, and provide honesty by remaining a role model while being their coach.
Amy Shepherd
Assistant Junior Varsity Coach
Amy graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato, in 2019 with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Media and Communication Studies. Amy started dancing at the age of three and trained at the Brainerd Just For Kix studio. She was also a 5 year member and senior captain of the Brainerd Warrior Dance Team. Amy spent her summers teaching at Just For Kix dance camps for several years. After high school, she was a three year member and captain of the Minnesota State University Mankato Dance Team, where her team earned a National title at UDA Nationals in 2016. Amy was also a Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader for 2 seasons after college. This will be her fourth year with EDT!!
Amy’s EDT Mission Statement: My mission as an Assistant Coach of the Edina Dance Team is to improve the lives of our athletes by teaching them the value of hard work, healthy competition and a commitment to excellence. I want to instill a positive and engaging atmosphere throughout all our practices, as well as help each athlete to see and fulfill their potential as dancers.
Victoria McNamara
Head B-Squad Coach
2021-2022 is Victoria's 10th season of bringing her experience and expertise to Edina Dance Team. She loves getting to work with the youngest dancers on Edina's squads and introducing them to the great legacy that is Edina High School Athletics.
Victoria has over 40 years of dance and teaching experience. Her students and choreography have received top honors throughout the state and nation. Victoria's dancers can be seen on college dance teams across the country and working for professional cheerleading squads, national touring shows, on Broadway and with dance companies from coast to coast.
Victoria is so excited for this season. She can’t wait to work with the amazing EDT coaching staff and start a new group of B-Squad dancers on the path to Edina Dance Team excellence.
Victoria’s EDT Mission Statement: My mission as the B-Squad Head Coach is to introduce our 7th and 8th grade dancers to the exciting world of high school dance team. Through a safe, respectful and supportive environment, I will help the dancers grow in their dance training and life skills, as we navigate the realities of competition, school and the balance it takes to be a successful student athlete.