Jessica Alstad stands as the esteemed Ballet Director at Dance Express, bringing over a decade of expertise in graded ballet and pointe instruction. Her journey in dance commenced at the Southwest School of Dance in Marshall, MN, laying a robust foundation for a distinguished career.
During her formative high school years, Jessica showcased her talent and dedication by competing at both regional and national levels for Dance Olympus and Statewide Dance Competitions. Her proficiency spanned across various genres, including ballet, jazz, tap, musical theater, lyrical, and modern dance. Her exceptional performances garnered her numerous elite titles in solo, duet, and small group categories at Dance Olympus Nationals. A highlight of her early career was performing leading roles such as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara in her school’s annual Nutcracker production, sharing the stage with professional company members from Minnesota Dance Theatre, Duluth.
Jessica Alstad, Ballet Director at Dance Express Mankato, smiling professionally.
Jessica’s pursuit of dance excellence led her to Oklahoma City University on a Dance Management scholarship. There, she dedicated two years to honing her skills and performing with the OCU Spirit Dance Company and Liturgical Dance Company, under the guidance of artistic director Jo Rowan. Furthering her academic credentials, she completed coursework for her dance minor at Minnesota State University, Mankato, where she actively participated in the MSU Theatre and Dance Department’s bi-annual student showcases.
Currently, Jessica enriches her own dance education through continued studies at Zenon Dance Company. Alongside her ongoing learning, she imparts her knowledge and passion as a performer, choreographer, and teacher at the Fine Arts School of Ballet in Mankato. Her choreographic works have graced prestigious stages, including the historic Fitzgerald Theatre in St. Paul, and have been featured in productions of the Nutcracker, Miracle on 34th Street The Ballet, and numerous community stage performances.
At Dance Express, Jessica champions the belief that ballet serves as the cornerstone of all dance genres. She is committed to instilling in her students a profound understanding of controlled technique, a comprehensive dance vocabulary, and a deep appreciation for classical artistry.
To learn more about ballet programs at Dance Express under Jessica Alstad’s direction, reach out via email at [email protected].
