Solveig
Director of Operations
Solveig grew up dancing in the Twin Cities, studying ballet and the Vaganova method, as well as jazz, at SPB. She graduated from Augsburg College with a degree in Music Education, both vocal and instrumental, and is currently finishing her PhD in Historical Musicology through the U of M. Music and dance have always been major aspects of Solveig’s life. While continuing to take adult ballet classes, Solveig taught piano lessons for over a decade, including at Cadenza Music here in St. Paul, MN. From 2016-2017, she had the opportunity to spend a year in Norway doing research for her dissertation. When she was ready for a break from teaching and academia and began looking for a new challenge, she started doing some arts administration work and found she really enjoyed it!
Solveig has shopped at Grand Jeté her whole life, and she developed a relationship with Ruthena Fink, the founder of Grand Jeté, both through the store and through dancing with her at SPB. Solveig has always had a great amount of respect for Ruthena, recognizing also that Grand Jeté has a very important place in the dance community. She sees Grand Jeté as a place where different people can come together, from different dance styles and backgrounds, and enter into a common experience outside of their own studio or community. As Director of Operations, Solveig now seeks to continue the legacy of Grand Jeté and its role in the dance community.
When she’s not at Grand Jeté, Solveig is probably with her two-year-old son, cooking, knitting, reading, playing Wordle or playing/studying music!
Heather
Professional Shoe Fitter and Retail Associate
Olivia
Professional Shoe Fitter and Retail Associate
Born and raised in Minneapolis Minnesota, Olivia trained at Hopkins Dance Company for 15 years under the direction of Leslie Daly. Olivia’s pre-professional training included summer programs with Milwaukee Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, and the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet. After graduating in 2018, Olivia continued her dance education at The University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music. Majoring in Ballet Performance, Olivia had the privilege to dance roles in Gerald Arpino’s Birthday Variations, Cinderella, Balanchine’s Serenade, and several other modern pieces. In 2020, Olivia joined Ballet Fantastique as an Apprentice for the 2020-2021 season and continued dancing with Ballet Fantastique as a Company Corps in 2021-2022.
During her time in Eugene Oregon, Olivia managed Dancers Closet, a dance wear and shoe store. Her main position at this store was fitting new and experienced dancers for pointe shoes. Olivia has 2 years of professional pointe shoe fitting experience and is excited to continue her work at Grand Jeté.
Georgia
Team Member
Georgia comes to Grand Jeté after serving as the 2017-18 Advancement Director for Minnesota Dance Theatre. She has over thirty years in the nonprofit industry, specifically in dance, education and development. Georgia, founder of Saint Paul City Ballet (renamed St. Paul Ballet in 2014), continued its growth and development for sixteen years, garnering foundation and corporate support. Georgia developed two ballet outreach programs in Saint Paul that are still active. She was actively engaged in the Saint Paul business community and president of the Grand Avenue Business Association for three years. Georgia currently works with her husband, helping market his business, Danceprints. She is a firm believer that the arts, in partnership with corporate, business and community support, augment the economy of a city and increase the vitality and aesthetic beauty of its community.
Bella
Professional Shoe Fitter and Retail Associate
Nora
Professional Shoe Fitter and Retail Associate