Meet The Faces At DanceXcel!

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Gena Buckley - Owner of DanceXcel
owns DanceXcel, a dream she’s nurtured since childhood. Since founding the studio in 2017, she’s focused on strong, safe technique and sharing her passion for dance. She has coached Lakeville North High School’s dance team, judged for the MSHSL, and taught at River Valley Dance Academy, earning choreography awards. Gena cheered for the Minnesota Vikings (2001–2005

Megan Carver 

is an artist, choreographer, and educator from Victoria, MN. She graduated from UW Stevens Point with degrees in Dance and Business Administration, earning multiple awards. Her credits include Beauty and the Beast at the Ordway, Frankenstein, Class of ’85, Wonderland, Broadway Dancin’, and the Curtain Call Ball at Children’s Theatre Company. Megan has also choreographed and taught at 

Emily Saba
grew up in Minnesota and spent 12 years training at River Valley Dance Academy, focusing on Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, and Lyrical. She also trained at St. Paul Ballet and Ballet Royale through their summer intensives. Emily studied dance at the University of Missouri–Kansas City and danced with Crash Dance Productions as a trainee. She now performs with 820 Dance Company and is exci

Angelica Pieper 

has trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, pointe, and modern since 1996 at the Dance Connection, joining their competition team four years later and performing across the Midwest. Her passion for teaching emerged as a DC teacher’s assistant for eight years. Angelica attended St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, performing with TU Dance. Now, she shares her love o

Hannah Smerillo

is new to the DanceXcel family and excited to start coaching. She trained for years at River Valley Dance Academy in lyrical, ballet, jazz, modern, and hip-hop, graduating in 2023. She now dances for St. Catherine University’s Division III team and studies psychology with a minor in American Sign Language. Hannah values inclusivity and brings her passion for communication and adapti

Lili Villegas
Lili is a DanceXcel instructor and 2023 graduate of the studio. She has trained in ballet, tap, hip hop, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary. Lili now dances for St. Catherine University’s Division III team while pursuing a coaching degree and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She loves inspiring confidence, consistency, and teamwork in her students.