Meet the Coaches
Neil & Samantha Brunner
Studio Owners
Neil and Samantha Brunner have spent the past 11 years immersed in the dance world, supporting their two daughters who both began dancing at the age of three. Through this journey, they’ve had the privilege of watching their girls grow not only as dancers, but as confident individuals surrounded by a strong, encouraging community.
Along the way, Neil and Samantha discovered something just as meaningful as dance itself—a sense of connection and support that extends beyond the studio walls. That experience is at the heart of their vision for Relentless Dance Studio: a place where dancers can pursue their passion while families find a welcoming community they can truly call their own.
Jen Garry
Studio Director
With more than 40 years of experience in the dance industry, Jen’s passion for dance is undeniable. She has dedicated most of her life to the art form, both as a performer and educator. When her performance career came to a close, she seamlessly transitioned into teaching and choreography, sharing her creativity, knowledge, and love of dance with generations of students.
What Jen values most about teaching is the opportunity to be part of each dancer’s journey and celebrate their growth, both on and off the stage. Her choreography is known for being innovative, captivating, and emotionally impactful, but her greatest reward comes from seeing her dancers bring that work to life through performance.
Jen invests her whole heart in her students, providing encouragement, support, and mentorship that extend far beyond the studio. Her personal motto, “Be better than the last time,” serves as the foundation of her teaching philosophy. She celebrates every success alongside her dancers and remains equally committed during challenges, helping them develop confidence, resilience, and a strong work ethic. Constantly evolving as an artist and educator, Jen inspires her dancers to push creative boundaries and embrace limitless possibilities.
Throughout her career, Jen has coached and choreographed numerous award-winning routines in hip hop, jazz, and lyrical at the local, regional, and national levels. A lifelong learner, she continues to study and train with some of the industry's most respected instructors, including the late Dave Scott, Talia Favia, Mike Peele, Tricia Miranda, Kassidy Bright, and Marty Kudelka.
Outside the studio, Jen’s greatest joy is her family. She and Mike, have two daughters, Elizabeth and Vanessa, who have followed in her footsteps as dancers and coaches. Together, they share six grandchildren, some of whom are already developing a love for dance. When she’s not coaching or choreographing, Jen enjoys camping, traveling, and creating lasting memories with family and friends.
Katelyn Trei
Head Competitive Coach
Katelyn began her dance journey at just nine years old. During her time as a studio dancer, she was part of a national champion small group team and an encore-winning hip hop team—experiences that helped shape her love for competition and performance. She continued dancing at the collegiate level as a competitive dancer for South Dakota State University during the 2013–2014 season.
Katelyn has continued her training with renowned choreographers including Ian Eastwood, Talia Favia, Kassidy Bright, and Gigi Torres.
In 2015, Katelyn transitioned from dancer to coach and has been helping dancers grow ever since. With a blend of technique, creativity, and heart, she has choreographed award-winning routines in lyrical, hip hop, contemporary, and jazz. Her classes are designed to sharpen skills, build confidence, and nurture a genuine love for performance.
Whether she is working with beginners or seasoned competitors, Katelyn’s goal remains the same: to inspire, challenge, and keep the joy of dance alive. Having experienced the studio as her own second home, she is proud to help create that same welcoming, family-like atmosphere for the next generation of dancers.
Madison Jankowski
Head Competitive Coach
Madison grew up immersed in dance, balancing her time as both a dancer and instructor while also competing on Roosevelt High School’s dance and sideline cheer teams. Following graduation, she continued her dance career in Mankato, Minnesota, where she taught at a local studio and performed with the Minnesota State University, Mankato Dance Team, earning a collegiate national championship title.
Her passion for dance has taken her throughout the Midwest, working with Universal Dance Association and serving as a freelance choreographer. Over the years, Madison has coached and choreographed numerous high schools and studios in the Sioux Falls area, helping teams achieve National and World Championship titles.
Today, Madison wears many hats—certified surgical technologist, dance judge, freelance choreographer, devoted fur mama, and dedicated coach. She is passionate about helping dancers reach their full potential, encouraging them to embrace challenges, build confidence, and grow not only as performers but also as individuals.
Madison is proud to be part of the Relentless family and is committed to fostering a positive environment where every dancer can thrive. She strives to inspire a lifelong love of dance and help each student discover the confidence, discipline, and joy that come from pursuing their passion.
Vanessa Garry
Competitive & Recreational Coach
Dance has been a part of Vanessa’s life for as long as she can remember. She stepped into her first dance class at just three years old and has been passionate about dance ever since. Over the years, she has worn many hats within the studio—assisting classes, volunteering at competitions, and coaching dancers both in and out of the classroom.
Trained in jazz, hip hop, and contemporary, Vanessa has had the opportunity to learn from some of the industry's most respected choreographers, including the late Dave Scott, Mike Peele, Marty Kudelka, and Eric Campros. She has also attended numerous dance conventions and workshops, continually expanding her knowledge and love for the art form.
Outside of the studio, Vanessa is a proud mom of three (plus a few beloved fur babies) and works full-time as a Lead Document Specialist at Citi. She enjoys spending time with her family and looks forward to creating new adventures through travel, camping, and making lasting memories with the people she loves most.
Having grown up in the studio environment, Vanessa understands the impact dance can have on a young person's life and is passionate about helping create a positive, supportive space where every dancer can thrive.
Marissa Siess
Recreational Coach
Marissa has been passionate about dance since she began training at the age of seven. Throughout high school, she was a dedicated member of the Jefferson High School Dance Team for four years and proudly served as team captain for two of those years. During that time, she also discovered a love for teaching by helping coach mini and youth competitive dance teams for three years.
Marissa continued her dance career as a member of the North Dakota State University Dance Team before transferring to Augustana University, where she is currently pursuing a degree in Elementary Education and dancing on the Augustana Dance Team.
As a teacher, Marissa loves sharing her passion for dance with young dancers and creating a positive, encouraging environment where they can build confidence, develop skills, and have fun. She is excited to help inspire the next generation of dancers at Relentless Dance Studio.