Introducing Dancers of Minnesota
We are looking for dancers who want to collaborate and support Minnesota Dance News. You will get a photo shoot for you and up to three other dancers, photos for your social media and a special feature on Dancers of Minnesota! Complete the inquiry form today to start the process and learn more.
There are only a handful of dancers and coaches who have helped get Minnesota Dance News off the ground like this dancer and coach. It is fitting that this athlete be the first spotlight dancer in a new feature, Dancers of Minnesota.
Meet Alexa Boderman, a dancer, coach, athlete and trainer whose passion comes through in all she does. We caught up with Alexa at her alma mater, St. Catherine University, where she is also the dance coach. She is recovering from an injury, but she nevertheless commanded the camera despite a limited range of movement.
In addition to coaching the St. Catherine University dance team, this past year Alexa coached at two studios, helped to open the new Stretch Lab and, in her free time, is a dancer/director of the dancers in the Prime Time Basketball League.
Open class taught by Alexa on May 24
Alexa and colleague, Christina Brunotte are hosting a pair of classes on May 24 at DanceXchange in Edina. There will be a hip hop class from 7-8 p.m. followed by a jazz/funk class from 8-9 p.m. Cost is $15 for one or $20 for both.
I hope you enjoy this feature on Alexa, Follow her on Instagram at @alexaboderman.

When and where did
you start dancing? What did you love
about dance as a kid?
My mom put me in studio dance when I was about 3 years old. She thought I
was so shy as a child and wanted to put me into an activity that would help me
be more outgoing. Dance is something I love doing, because it allows me to
express myself and my feelings. There’s no other feeling like it!
How has your style
progressed? What types of dance did you love in the early years? What styles do you love today?
My style has changed and progressed as I’ve gotten older. Growing up and
competing with studio dance, you get to compete and learn many styles. It’s
such a great opportunity to become a well-rounded dancer, and to find a
style(s) you could potentially specialize in if you want to pursue dance as a
career. For me, I excelled, and favored tap, hip hop and high kick. That
started changing slightly for me when I was in college. I competed mostly
lyrical and pom for the St. Catherine University Dance Team, along with performing
hip hop at sporting events. I was also a finalist a few times for an NBA dance
team where hip hop, jazz funk, and pom sidelines were my focus, and what I
continue to do best as a choreographer, dance coach, teacher and pro dancer.

What do you love
about dance today?
I love the entire process of having to learn choreography quickly and then
push myself to get it performance ready. You grow as a dancer so much while
cleaning and preparing a piece, that when you look back, it’s such motivation
to keep going. The rush of performing is also always my favorite!

What challenges
(schedule, family, injury etc.) have you had to deal with? How did you
overcome/work through the issue?
My senior year of college, I got a hip injury right before the comp season
started, and it took me out of my entire season. It was extremely hard for me,
as I have never previously had an injury that ended my season early. I wanted
to get back into dancing so terribly bad, and that was my motivation to work
hard through the grinding rehab process. It took almost 6 months before I was
able to start slowly incorporating dance back into my life. I’m not going to
lie, it was tough, but I’m so thankful for my friends, family and medical team
that got me through it and continue working with me.
What is the biggest
lesson you learned from the challenge above?
I learned to appreciate every opportunity given me and to stay positive
during times that are tough. Your attitude can really help you get through any
situation you’re dealing with.
What is the best
piece of advice you ever received?
My mentor, colleague, and friend Monique Young-Dutton gave me the best
advice as a dancer, coach and choreographer. She told me to always be myself.
With my career, it’s always great to learn and be inspired by others, but at
the end of the day, the only person that can achieve what you see in your head
and heart, is you.

Do you want to give a
shout out to anyone? Please put name,
how you know them and what you want to say, one per line.
My mom is definitely a huge inspiration for me and I’m so thankful for her, she
is the best example of a strong women in my life and has always been there for
me!
I must also give a shout out to Monique Young-Dutton for pushing me as a dancer, choreographer and coach. She was one of the people that got me back dancing after my injury and believed in me to grow my dance career.
Finally, a huge shout out to the teams and studios where I currently coach, teach and choreograph including St. Catherine University, Primetime Basketball League, Dance Revue, and QC Dance.
We are looking for dancers who want to collaborate and support Minnesota Dance News. You will get a photo shoot for you and up to three other dancers, photos for your social media and a special feature on Dancers of Minnesota! Complete the inquiry form today to start the process and learn more.