Rochester Acro is designed to give dancers and athletes more opportunities to explore Acrobatics! The world of dance is constantly evolving and we are seeing more tumbling feats emerge in all styles of dance. In Acro, students are trained to execute skills on both sides of the body. Athletes will progress through levels to increase their flexibility and their strength. Safety is our number one priority. We want to make sure that our athletes are correctly trained to perform Acrobatic skills on a hard floor. A student will only progress to the next level when they are physically ready. This ensures that their body remains healthy, and minimizes the potential for injury. We offer small class sizes to make sure that all students receive a great deal of one on one attention.
Meet Karyn Rasmussen
Karyn is originally from Brainerd, Minnesota. Growing up, she was a ball of energy and found dance to not only be a discipline but her passion! Karyn trained and danced competitively at Music General for 14 years and Just For Kix for 1 year. She trained extensively in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Tumbling, Lyrical, Kick, Hip Hop, Contemporary, and Jazz! Her senior year of High School she joined the Brainerd High School Dance Team, the Kixters, where she received many awards including “Rookie of the Year” and earned All Conference and All Tournament for Jazz.
In 2012, Karyn moved to Rochester to study at the University of Minnesota Rochester and the Mayo School of Health Sciences. She graduated with a degree in Health Sciences, a Radiography certification, and now works in Radiation Oncology research at Mayo Clinic. Since moving to Rochester in 2012, she has instructed and choreographed at the Rochester Just For Kix program.
Karyn has received Acrobatic Arts certifications in Module 1, Preschool AcroDance, Side Aerials and Back Handsprings, Contortion and Stability, and Acro Mentor. She is currently working on her Acrobatic Arts Module 2 certification! Karyn is also Acro Hoop certified through Aerial Arts, a partner of Acrobatic Arts. Karyn has trained and received her AcroDance Competition Adjudicator Certification. Additionally, she has trained and completed her Aerial Silks certification through Aerial Arts. Most recently, Karyn has achieved her Module 3 Alixa flexibility certification! Her favorite part about AcroDance is that it combines the strong athleticism of gymnastics with the expressive, artistic movements of dance. Karyn cannot wait to continue to empower young athletes to believe in themselves and achieve their goals!
Meet Katelyn Herman
Katelyn was born and raised in Rochester, Minnesota. She started dancing when she was three years old at Dance Connection. She trained in tap, ballet, and jazz. Expanding her horizons, Katelyn became a competitive cheerleader for four years competing for Fierce All Stars and Minnesota Xtreme. She returned to competitive dance in 2018 by joining the Mayo High School winter dance team and later on the fall dance team. In 2021, Katelyn joined Just for Kix, becoming proficient in kick, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and hip hop. She also joined Bliss in 2022 where she spent time in tap class.
Katelyn became a student at Rochester Acro in 2021. She spent time in AcroDance, Flexibility & Alignment, and Aerial Hoop classes until her graduation in 2024. Katelyn implemented Acro into her dances and competed an AcroDance solo her senior year. She started assisting at Rochester Acro her senior year and completed her Acrobatic Arts assistant certification!
In the fall of 2024, Katelyn will begin her journey as a student at the University of Minnesota Rochester. She is planning to graduate with a Bachelor’s in Health Sciences and then moving on to the OTD program to eventually become an occupational therapist. Katelyn is also part of the staff at Just For Kix Rochester.
Katelyn has completed the Acrobatic Arts Module 1 certification. Her favorite part of AcroDance is that it is unique to each person. Every athlete can move at their own pace and skill level without pressure so that each skill is properly executed. Katelyn is excited to share her passion and love for Acro with others!
Meet Sophie Erpenbach
Sophie was born and raised in Rochester, Minnesota. She began dancing at just four years old at Allegro Dance Studio, where she trained in ballet and tap. Sophie has spent four amazing years dancing with Just For Kix, where she expanded her training to include jazz, lyrical, ballet, pom, and high kick. In addition to dance, she also trained for two years at Rochester Gymnastics Academy.
Since 2022, Sophie has been a proud member of the Century Silver Stars Fall Dance team and Century Winter Dance Team. Sophie is currently a senior in high school and is very thrilled to join our team as an assistant. She looks forward to assisting every week helping students with Acro!
Meet Sam Saiki
Samantha’s dance journey began at the young age of 5 when she joined the Byron dance academy, instantly falling in love with the art form. Her passion for movement and expression grew as she trained in various styles, developing a strong foundation in dance. Over the years, Samantha has honed her skills in Lyrical, Jazz, Kick, Contemporary, and Pom, continuously pushing herself to improve and expand her dancing. As she continued to grow as a dancer, Samantha became a member of the Just For Kix program in Rochester, where she has become both a performer and an athlete. Her dedication to the craft is evident in her commitment to mastering new techniques and styles. Through Just For Kix, Samantha has had the opportunity to perform in numerous competitions, gaining valuable experience along the way.
In addition to dance, Samantha has found a love for Acro after joining Rochester Acro as a student in 2021. She appreciates that it’s an activity that combines the athleticism of gymnastics with the artistry of dance. She has enjoyed her time being a part of the Acro community by developing both strength and flexibility while maintaining her graceful dance movements. Sam joined our staff in 2024 and has been a wonderful addition to our team!
Samantha’s diverse training in Lyrical, Jazz, Kick, Contemporary, Pom, and Acro has shaped her love for dancing. She is passionate about sharing her love for dance. Samantha looks forward to continuing her journey in dance, embracing every opportunity to learn, perform, and inspire those around her.
Meet Caroline Hill
Born and raised in Rochester, MN, Caroline has always had a passion for dance, loving the sport from the seats of an auditorium for years before even stepping onto the floor. In 2020, she started her dance career at Just for Kix, going on to train in jazz, lyrical, kick, and contemporary, and performing as a soloist. Caroline started Acro in 2022, and developed a love for the art very quickly. She joined the Rochester Acro staff in February of 2026.
Caroline is entering her freshman year at Mayo High School. She is excited to share her love of Acro with others through new bonds and fresh experiences.
“Honestly, this [Acro] has been my favorite style of dance I've ever done. It's a perfect blend of gymnastics meets dance!”
— Aubrey