Welcome to Innovate Dance

About Us

Innovate

transforming your dance experience

Our Inspiration

Innovate has one central goal-To develop an intensive dance experience that inspires and make a difference in the lives of young dancers. We believe a strong foundation is where competitive & artistic development begins and is the focal point of one's expression. Through training in proper technique in a creative and positive atmosphere, students can achieve their utmost potential- helping them develop a strong work ethic and self- confidence that will have a positive impact on the rest of their lives.

Our Experience

Beginning in 2005, owner/director Karl Mundt and co-director Rachel Brenk-Doran combined forces on various projects, creating competition pieces that have pushed the envelope. They continually strive to evolve as artists, coaches and teachers. This collaboration has proven to be highly successful- with their clients taking home championship titles at numerous events (Click on their Bios for more specific details).

Our Mission

Innovate is deeply committed to furthering quality dance education, and this aim is reflected in each aspect of the program. We have assembled an elite faculty, planned a curriculum that is challenging both technically & artistically, and have created original, cutting-edge choreography.  The most important goal of Innovate is to spark your passion, change your perspective and push your limits.  

We are looking forward to bringing you a sensational debut season!

 

Staff



Karl Mundt

Karl Mundt’s Dynamic Style And Enthusiasm Have Made Him One Of The Most Sought After Choreographers And Teachers In The US. Karl Has Traveled Throughout North America Conducting Workshops And Master Classes. His Work Has Won Numerous State And National Awards With Such Prestigious Organizations As UDA, NDA, USA And UPA. Most recently his choreography helped Team USA win the gold medal (Jazz Div.) at the 2009 ICU World Championships.  With over 40 Countries represented, the championship was the first of its kind & part of a larger campaign to include competitive dance in the Olympic Games. 

 

Karl Has Choreographed Several National Championship Winning Routines For High School, Collegiate, Studio And All-Star Teams Throughout The Country.


INCLUDING:

University Of St. Thomas *
University Of Minnesota
Eden Prairie Pom Squad *
University Of Louisville
Hawaii Pacific University
University Of Illinois-Urbana
Eastern Washington Elite All-Stars *
The Dance Studio Of Fresno
Los Alamitos High School.
* Co-Choreographed With Rachel Brenk-Duran

His Choreography Has Been Nationally Televised On ESPN, CBS And Fox Sports & Has Been Performed Throughout The US, London And Rome. He Has Also Set Choreography On Models For Print Work And For National Dancewear Companies. In 2007, He Was A Choreographer And Judge For The International Dance Congress In Mexico, And Currently Serves On The Faculty Of ProDance, A Convention For Professional Sports Dance Teams. Additionally, Karl Is A Consultant And Freelance Writer For Dance Spirit Magazine.

As A Performer, Karl Has Danced In Commercials & Industrials For Adidas, Nike, Sun Micro Systems And For National Tours With The Broadway Exchange In New York City. He Has Performed In A Variety Of Stage Productions In Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas And Atlantic City. Many Of Karl’s Students Have Gone On To Dance In Film, Music Videos, And For Professional Dance Companies Throughout The Country. His Choreography Can Be Seen Performed By Several Sports Dance Teams Throughout The US And Canada, Including The Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings And Portland Trailblazers. One Of His Greatest Strengths Is The Ability To Inspire Dancers To Go Outside Of Their Comfort Zone, Push Their Limits, And Ultimately Become Better Performers.



Rachel Brenk–Doran

In the past few years, Rachel Brenk –Doran has taken the dance team world by storm! Her creative, unique choreography and distinctive style have helped propel teams to winning both State and National titles. Her collaborative efforts with Karl Mundt have produced six National Champions in the last three years alone- most recently with Eden Prairie Pom Squad (2009 UDA Champions-Large Varsity Jazz) and for the Eastern Washington Elite All-Stars (2009 UDA All-Star Champions- Senior Jazz Div). In 2008, Rachel’s work with Heritage High School helped them win the Washington State Dance Team Championship.

With over 18 year of dance experience, Rachel’s eclectic style stems from her background of well-versed dance training, including jazz, ballet, modern, lyrical/contemporary, hip hop and precision dance. She trained for 14 years at the acclaimed Stage Door of Performing Arts (now Northern Force) and was a 4 year member of the Totino-Grace E'gals dance team, winning 5 State championships. Additionally, Rachel was 4 year member (serving as Captain for 3 years) of the University of St. Thomas dance team, winning a national championship in 2006.

Rachel has an extensive background as a coach and master teacher, working with competitive dance teams throughout Minnesota  She is currently in her 6th year with the Totino-Grace E'gals as an assistant Varsity coach and was voted the 2006 AA assistant coach of the year (MADT). From 2006-08 she worked as an instructor and creative director for Advantage Dance and most recently was a choreographer for the 2008-09 Kelle Company Dance Team Catalog, a national leader in the dance costume industry. In addition, Rachel is a member of the Minnesota Association of Dance Teams (MADT) Board of Directors.

As a performer Rachel has danced throughout the US at numerous conventions and competitions and has won several titles and high-point awards. In 2007 she was the recipient of the Zenon dance school Block-E scholarship and is a company member of Crash Dance Productions contemporary dance company, currently in its' 3rd season. Rachel brings to her work a spirited passion, and an exceptional capacity for seeing the potential in all dancers.

Choreography credits include:University of Oregon, Eastern Washington Elite Junior All-Stars, Heritage High School (Washington State Champions), University of Minnesota-Duluth & the Totino-Grace E'gals

Co-choreography credits (with Karl Mundt) include:Eden Prairie Pom Squad (2009 & 2006 UDA National Champions- Large Varsity Jazz Div) University of St. Thomas (Two –Time National Champions) Eastern Washington Elite Senior All-Stars (eight-Time National Champions & 2008 World All-Star Champions)



Lisa Orth

Lisa trained at Saint Cloud School of Dance and Gymnastics for fifteen years in jazz, ballet, tap, lyrical and pointe. Additionally, she was a four year member of the Saint Cloud Cathedral Crusaderette Varsity dance team performing in both high-kick precision and jazz. In 2005, Lisa was a senior captain when the team won a MSHSL State Championship in high-kick, took second place in jazz, and she was voted all conference dancer.  Currently, Lisa is  a four year member of the Nationally ranked University of Saint Thomas dance team and a second year captain. The team won the 2006 & 2008 UDA College Dance Team National Championship in the open jazz division and placed second in hip-hop from 2006-09.

Lisa has taught summer workshops as a guest instructor at Dyan's World of Dance Studio for three years working with dancers ages 10 to18. She has also worked with high school teams throughout the state of Minnesota with Advantage Dance Company, teaching ballet, jazz, high-kick precision, and conditioning. Lisa has also has taught conditioning classes at Saint Cloud School of Dance. Her choreography credits include:  Heritage High School in Washington (2008 State Champions), the University of Duluth dance team, Advantage Dance, the University of Saint Thomas dance team, and numerous Miss Dance Team Minnesota competitors.



Shannon Garrity

Shannon discovered her love of dance at the tender age of three and has not looked back since! Dancing competitively in all styles, she quickly found her favorites to be lyrical and jazz. During her competitive career, Shannon has received national scholarships at conventions such as: Tremaine, Adrenaline, and Starpower. Additionally, she was a four-year member of the University of Minnesota dance team, winning three national titles from 2004-2006.

Shannon has worked with several local high school teams including: Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Burnsville, Armstrong, & Benilde. She has also choreographed National routines for teams in Illinois and Wisconsin. After graduating college she continued her dance education, traveling to Los Angeles and studying extensively at the Edge and Millennium studios. While in LA she trained with some of the nation’s top instructors including, Shane Sparks, Mark Meismer, Keri LaGrand, and Doug Caldwell.  Shannon has continued her professional dance career having just finished her first season as a Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader.

Workshops

The Innovate Dance Experience

The Innovate experience is geared for success for beginner dancers as well as experienced dancers. Many levels of dance are taught in a way that inspires accomplishment and satisfaction at every skill level. Our workshops are moderately priced, well structured and time efficient. Stylized choreography and superior instruction are what we are all about! Additionally, workshops are conducted on-site at your school or the location of your choosing. We come to you!

Warm-up

Our intensive warm-up is designed to develop maximum flexibility, strength, and balance. Applying pilates and the latest exercise science will help sculpt and instill the technical skills needed to achieve peak performance.

Technique

Offering all levels, Innovate takes pride in our expertise and ability to teach impeccable dance technique. We focus on proper body alignment, precise placements, and specific exercises designed to reach higher levels. We also introduce a variety of creative skills and tricks that can be used to spice up any routine.  You’ll be amazed how much progress your team will make in just a short time.

Choreography

Cutting-edge material composed by leading choreographers in the dance team community will have your team pumped and ready to learn. Innovate offers all levels and styles from, jazz, precision, lyrical and contemporary. Select the levels and styles of routines that best suit your team’s interest. We promise to deliver the hottest choreography!

Performance

Innovate believes that performance and truly connecting to your audience is essential. Our teaching style encourages dancers to push their limits and we offer strategies to help build “mental toughness” to make your team more consistent competitors. We want you to have the judges and crowd on the edge of their seats when your team takes the floor, to never look away- not even once! 

_______________________________________________________________

Rates

3-Day Intensive: Includes 10.5 hours of instruction (3.5 hours per day).  The cost is $90 per dancer.

2-Day Intensive: Includes 7 hours of instruction (3.5 hours per day). The cost is $65 per dancer.

1-Day Intensive: Includes 4 hours of instruction. The cost is $40 per dancer

Multimedia

Click the link to view the video:

Registration

Contact: karl@innovatedance.com
phone: 617.378.2424

Note: Registration Form & Terms and Conditions Contract are Due Two weeks Prior to Scheduled Workshop

Click the link to download the file: