About EASTVIEW LDT

Taylor graduated from EVHS in 2010 and was a 4-year member and senior captain of the LDT. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2014 with a degree in Strategic Communications + Public Relations. While at UMN, she was a 3-year member and captain of the Premier Dance Team. From 2010 to 2017, Taylor worked as an instructor and choreographer for teams at Just For Kix and Advantage Dance Training throughout the Midwest. Coach Taylor and her husband Josh, have three children. Taylor took over as Head Coach beginning in the 2022-2023 season.

Coach Mahr is a graduate of Centennial High School, where she was a member and captain of the Dance Team. She went on to the University of Minnesota to obtain her BFA in Dance and later obtained her MBA in secondary education. Jes moved to Los Angeles, CA, shortly after college and served as the director of the Dance Department and Dance Team coach at TAFT High School. She came back to Minnesota in 2006 and has been with the EVHS Dance Department and LDT ever since. Jes was an instructor with Just For Kix for nearly 20 years and has performed with both the Timberwolves and Swarm performance teams. She is the proud mom of twin girls, Jaela and Maelynn.

Toni is a 2008 graduate of Eastview, where she was a member and senior captain of the LDT. She went on to the University of Minnesota to study Communications and was also a member of the Premier Dance Team. Toni was a member of the LDT Coaching Staff throughout college. After graduation, Toni moved to Denver, Colorado, where she was a member of the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders and represented the Denver Broncos at many events and appearances. After 4 seasons and a trip to the Super Bowl, we are excited that she found her way back home. Toni and her husband have a son, Lucca, and 2 daughters, Nika and Luchie. She also owns her own photography business, Antonia Kay Photography.

Grace graduated from Brainerd High School in 2013 and was a 5-year member, senior captain, and MVP of the Brainerd Warrior Dance Team. In 2016, she graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Public Health. Grace was a 2-year member of the University of Minnesota Premier Dance Team. She was a summer camp staff member and choreographer for Just For Kix. Grace has a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of St. Thomas and currently works full-time as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Grace joined the LDT staff in 2017.

Katherine is a 2017 graduate of EVHS, where she was a 4-year member and senior captain of the LDT. She earned 6 State Championships while on the team. She went on to dance at the University of Minnesota, where she won a Jazz National Championship with the team in 2019. Katherine coached our fall program for three seasons, and we are fortunate to now have her as a member of our winter coaching staff.

Coach Ellie is a 2019 graduate of EVHS and was a 4-year member and senior captain of LDT. While on the team, she was a part of 5 State Championships, a two-time All-State Jazz dancer, and was awarded Most Dedicated by the team. She then went on to dance for the University of Minnesota Dance Team for four years in college and won a double national championship. While at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, she obtained a Master’s in Elementary Education and is now a 3rd-grade teacher in District 196.

Kilie graduated from Eastview High School as a 4-year member of the Lightning Dance Team. In 2024, she returned to the Lightning Dance Team as a part of the Winter Coaching staff. Kilie is currently pursuing a career in Construction Project Management, and is enjoying every moment being an Aunt.

Vanessa danced competitively for Summit Dance Shoppe and the Eden Prairie Dance Team. Finishing out her high school dance team career, she was a member of Team Minnesota. At the 2023 Miss Dance Drill Team Nationals in Irvine, California, she was crowned Miss Dance Team USA and was voted Miss Congeniality. She is now a member of the 18x National Champion, University of St. Thomas Dance Team.

Caitlyn graduated from EVHS in 2018 and was a 4-year member of the LDT. She then went down to Lincoln, NE, for college and is now back in Minnesota working as a Pediatric RN. Caitlyn is back for her second year of coaching with the LDT, her main focus being the B-Squad Jazz team and JV Kick team.

Sabrina grew up dancing at Studio 4 for eleven years. She went on to join the Eastview Lightning Dance Team, where she was a lettered varsity member, five-time State Champion, and recipient of multiple standout awards. Alongside coaching, she recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire with a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration and a minor in Gerontology, while also dancing on the UWEC Dance Team. She’s continued to pursue her passion for dance as a current member of the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders, where she has the incredible opportunity to perform at games and community appearances.