The Company
Lillian Kline
Dancer
Is a dancer, actress, singer, and circus artist from Minneapolis, MN. She spent her youth training at Circus Juventas as well as performing in community musical theater productions. While studying theatre and dance at Gustavus Adolphus College she had the opportunity to train in Viewpoints and the Suzuki Method, as well as study abroad for physical theatre at Academia dell’Arte. She has a passion for ensemble work, and is thrilled to be performing with the Ray Terrill Dance Group! Outside of performing, you can find Lillian coaching Trapeze, Contortion, and Dance at Circus Juventas, traveling to see her sister and niece in San Diego, or learning to boulder.
Tessa Longshore
Dancer
Is a Twin Cities based dancer and choreographer, explores her unique ideology primarily through quirky experimental dance films and eclectic live performances. She obtained a B.A. in Dance with honors from Gustavus Adolphus College, and completed multiple training programs at Broadway Dance Center.
Gillian Wheaton
Dancer
Gillian started dancing at 9 years old in Lakeville Minnesota at Danceworks. At 15 they went to Ballet Royale and decided to pursue ballet seriously. At 18 they moved to Missouri and went to the Conservatory of Music and Dance at UM-Kansas City. During their time there they participated in many extra-curricular projects like the March for Our Lives and theatrical collaborations. After graduating in 2021 Gillian decided to return to Minnesota to be closer to their family and returned to teaching dance. In their 10+ years of training, Gillian has studied many styles of ballet and modern, as well as Jazz, Musical Theatre, tap and commercial hip hop.
Paulette Mattson
Dancer
Eenjoys the arts and has been a dancer most of her life. She received her B.F.A. from UMD-Duluth in 1983 and has been in love with modern dance since. She's been dancing with the RTDG since 2002 and before that she danced with Silver Moon Vintage Dance Ensemble. She is a wife and mother of two wonderful girls and works in pharmaceutical and oncology research. Paulette appreciates her entire family and all her friends for their love and ongoing support. This is Paulette's nineteenth season with RTDG.
Megan Gibbins
Dancer
grew up in the Twin Cities, training in ballet and performing under the direction of Dixie Rairamo and the Youth Dance Ensemble. In 2002 she received her BPA in Dance Performance from Oklahoma City University where she also performed with the American Spirit Dance Company directed by Jo Rowan. Professional credits include: Somewhere in Christmastime (Branson, Missouri) and Jubilee (Bally’s Las Vegas). Locally she has performed with Bedlam Theatre, Heritage Theatre Company and with Ray Terrill Dance Group since 2013. She is currently a stay-at-home Mom to her two school age children, and also works part-time in administration for a small waterproofing contractor. Megan would like to thank her family and friends for their continued support.
KATIE
MARKEY-Nash
Dancer
Has been dancing and teaching professionally for the last 10 years and is eagerly excited to take on the role of Dance West Studio Owner. Katie has a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Communication Studies from the University of Iowa. She continues to dance professionally with the Ray Terrill Dance Group in Minneapolis; and teaches a wide variety of genres: jazz, ballet, tap, musical theater, and acrobatics. Katie is a certified member of Dance Masters of Mid-America Chapter 34, and a certified Acrobatic Arts instructor. Katie’s fondness for the art is truly contagious.