Vermillion Area Dance Organization |

Pam Ford – VADO Executive Director

command — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 03:45:28 +0000

Former soloist with the Kansas City Ballet, Pam’s career as a ballerina began at the age of eleven with the role of Clara in the St. Louis Civic Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. Having studied at North Carolina School of the Arts and Ballet West summer intensives, Pam was fortunate to receive invitations to study ballet at both Butler University and University of Utah’s prestigious ballet programs. While at Kansas City Ballet, Pam was extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Alvin Ailey, Jacques D’amboise, and other world-renowned choreographers. She performed in traditional classical ballets, many works by George Balanchine, as well as original works, and in addition to performances in Kansas City, St. Louis, and New York City, the company toured extensively throughout the mid-west. Pam began teaching at VADO in 2011. Her background included years of training in many disciplines including ballet, jazz, character, and tap, but her primary focus at VADO is classical ballet, pointe, and variations. She was privileged to coach VADO’s first graduate on to become a professional ballerina, and is often asked to judge auditions and teach master classes in the region. Pam was asked to take the job of VADO’s first ever Executive Director in 2017 and enjoys performing her administrative duties while continuing to teach and choreograph.

Audrey Job – VADO Studio Manager

command — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 16:00:55 +0000

Before she became the sixth-grade science teacher in the Vermillion, South Dakota School District, Audrey enjoyed a career as a dancer and performer that offered her some amazing opportunities. She grew up dancing in Orlando, Florida and early in life developed a love for dance – in particular tap dancing. She studied at the Academy of Dance in Orlando, Florida from an early age, and performed all around the Metro-Orlando area including Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. In 1995, Audrey was fortunate to join the Up With People tour, during which time she performed all throughout Europe and the United States. After her time with Up With People, she continued to study dance and participated in tap workshops in both Orlando and New York City. After moving to South Dakota and enrolling her children in dance classes at VADO, Audrey began as a volunteer and eventually became VADO’s Studio Manager and an instructor. Audrey loves teaching tap classes and overseeing the popular Tap and Creative Movement programs at VADO.

Abby Lund

command — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 01:47:06 +0000

Abigail began dancing as a young child at a local studio in Minnesota where she took classes and performed in ballet, pointe, tap, and jazz. Here, she worked as an assistant ballet instructor for elementary students. In high school, Abby trained through level IV in the Vaganova method of ballet.

Abby attended St. Olaf College in Northfield MN, receiving a degree in Biology and Psychology. Here, she continued studying dance in the studio and classroom. She was a member of the performing modern dance company and an ethnic dance group. In her senior year, she joined the college’s dance team and competed in advanced jazz and pom.

Abby recently started her first year as an Occupational Therapy student at USD and is very excited to be involved with dance here at VADO.

Adrienne Lewis

command — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 14:55:29 +0000

Adrienne was one of VADO’s original four instructors who remembers when classes were held in the basement of City Hall. Having come to dance a little later in life as a teenager, once she got the ballet bug she never lost it. Adrienne studied at Academy of Dance in Yankton, South Dakota and teaches Ballet and Pointe at VADO. In 2021, Adrienne became a certified Yoga instructor with over 200 hours of training in Hatha and Vinyasa yoga and now heads up the Yoga program at VADO. In 2023, Adrienne will be traveling to India to gain additional hours and certifications at one of the prestigious yoga schools so that she can bring even more yoga expertise to our Vermillion community.

Annie Granass

command — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 21:01:36 +0000

Annie is currently attending USD and is majorning in business administration, with minors of social media marketing, design, and dance! She has been dancing for 18 years’ competitively and in different performances. Her favorite styles of dance are ballet and jazz.

Emma Twedt

command — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 20:58:53 +0000

Emma started dancing when she was three years old in Sioux Falls. She danced all throughout high school and is exxcited to continue my love of dance through teaching. She is currently attending USD and is majoring in Elementary Education.

Fionna Rigg

command — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 01:50:36 +0000

Fionna grew up dancing at the ARCC dance studio in Aberdeen, South Dakota where she also gained 4 years experience teaching a variety of classes. Her favorite class to teach is contemporary because she loves the creativity it allows both teacher and students to put forth. VADO is thrilled to have Fionna join our team teaching Ballet, Tumbling, and Contemporary!

Hailey Freidel

command — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 01:33:04 +0000

I’m so excited to be back teaching at VADO. I grew up around dance and was part of Dance Inferno at Vermillion High School, where I served as captain. In college, I was on the USD Cheer Team and also served as captain there. After college, I became the Graduate Assistant for the USD Spirit Teams and helped oversee the cheer team, the dance team, Charlie Coyote, and the Coyote Crazies. Since 2020, I’ve been a cheer and dance judge for the South Dakota High School Activities Association. I love being part of the dance and cheer world and helping athletes grow and succeed. When I’m not in the studio or on the mat, you can usually find me traveling the world, loving on my kitty, or spending time with family and friends. I’m so happy to be back and can’t wait for a great season with VADO!

Janna Mix-Huot

command — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 01:54:55 +0000

Janna has been dancing since she could walk, and started dance classes as a young girl. She taught dance classes through college and has been coaching elementary dance teams for the past 5 years. Janna loves being involved in the Vermillion community and found a love for VADO after taking a class here last year. She is excited to be a new member of the VADO teaching staff!

Jocelynn Bunkoske

command — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 21:13:33 +0000

Jocelynn, who has been dancing at VADO since she was three years old, loves all styles of dance. She studies ballet, pointe, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, and tap. Besides being a regular student at VADO, Jocelynn has also attended the South Dakota Ballet Summer Intensive. Jocelynn was one of VADO’s first Classroom Mentors and has been an Intern with the VADO administrative staff for the last three years. VADO is thrilled to have Jocelynn join our instructor staff and have her share her exceptional skill and love of Hip hop with our students.