2025 ERDT Fall Dance Team Coaches

Makena Hess - Head Coach
Contact Makena
My name is Makena Hess, and I will be returning to my head coach position this upcoming fall season. I grew up on dancing at Studio One Dance where I trained heavily in jazz, hip-hop, ballet, tap and much more. After high school, I went to the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee to pursue my dance education to get my bachelor's degree in dance and choreography.
I am a teacher and choreographer at Fancy Dancin' in Isanti where I teach both recreational and competitive dance. I am a full-time mom to two sweet little boys.
My love for dance shines through in just about everything I do. I am so excited to share my knowledge, passion, and love for dance with our upcoming team this fall season. There is no place I would rather be than on the field or in the studio cheering on my dancers. I look forward to coaching you all this season and I am so excited to meet all of you. Go Elks!
Contact Makena
My name is Makena Hess, and I will be returning to my head coach position this upcoming fall season. I grew up on dancing at Studio One Dance where I trained heavily in jazz, hip-hop, ballet, tap and much more. After high school, I went to the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee to pursue my dance education to get my bachelor's degree in dance and choreography.
I am a teacher and choreographer at Fancy Dancin' in Isanti where I teach both recreational and competitive dance. I am a full-time mom to two sweet little boys.
My love for dance shines through in just about everything I do. I am so excited to share my knowledge, passion, and love for dance with our upcoming team this fall season. There is no place I would rather be than on the field or in the studio cheering on my dancers. I look forward to coaching you all this season and I am so excited to meet all of you. Go Elks!

Macayla Braun - Assistant Coach
Contact Macayla
Macayla started her dance career at an early age at the Elk River "Just For Kix" where she danced both jazz and kick styles until her senior year of high school. When Macayla was in 8th grade, she joined the Rogers High School fall performance and winter competitive teams where she danced for 5 years. During her time on RDT, the team won 4 conference championships and made a state appearance in kick and jazz. Macayla was also a part of choreography teams and attended 4 JFK summer dance camps. Macayla took a break from dance in college in order to pursue her teaching career. Once Macayla graduated, she began coaching and choreographing for the Princeton "Just For Kix" program where she has been a head coach for the last 4 years. Besides coaching, Macayla teaches at a local elementary school, owns her own permanent jewelry business and loves to travel. Macayla is so excited to be a part of the Elk River Dance Team!