Meet the Artists
Cathy Wind
founder, artistic director
Cathy Keane Wind has performed with such great tap artists as Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, and is a student of the Maestro Lane Alexander. Her passion for art has given her the opportunity to work with the Queen of Sweden, Dr. Maya Angelou, Regis Philbin, Garrison Keiller, Bill Irwin, the Umbilical Brothers, and the Boy’s Choir of Kenya. Cathy has taught dance classes at St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, St. Cloud State University, and the University of Minnesota, as well as many reputable dance studios.
Cathy was nominated for a 2011 Minnesota SAGE Award for Outstanding Dance Educator, and for over 15 years she has choreographed musicals for Wayzata High School. Currently, Cathy is teaching inner-city youth in St. Paul, thanks to grants for KSR’s Community Outreach Program.
Cathy is the co-artistic director of Keane Sense of Rhythm Tap Company. KSR has performed around the US, Canada, and Europe, including performances with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Chicago Human Rhythm Project, the Minneapolis and Thunder Bay Fringe Festivals, as well as the International Dance Festival in Ladek Zdroj, Poland.
Ellen Keane
founder, executive diretor
Ellen Keane is thankful for her life in dance and believes this gift of dance training should be accessible to everyone. She is the executive director of Keane Sense of Rhythm Tap Company and teaches at University of Minnesota Theater & Dance Department. Keane teaches beginning through advanced professional tap dance with a goal of using dance as physical and mental health for adults, kids and underprivileged youth.
Ellen is a producer Minneapolis Human Rhythm Projects, Fringe shows and National Tap Dance Day. For the past 10 years, her focus has been mainly rhythm tap — one Broadway gypsy claimed that every class with Ellen is a master class.
Ellen is most proud of the creation of the Youth Tap Ensemble in 2002. Dancers ages 8-18 audition for placement annually. She especially enjoys working with talented and passionate youth in master classes, workshops and residencies.
Davon Suttles
teaching artist, choreographer
Growing up performing in Keane Sense of Rhythm’s Youth Tap Ensemble, Davon developed a deep love for dance. This brought him to attend high school at Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, where he also discovered a passion for Musical Theatre. He’s considered a “Triple Threat”, as he’s an accomplished actor, singer and dancer.
Davon Suttles
Teaching Artist / Choreographer
Davon Suttles is an emerging performing artist from Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Growing up performing in Keane Sense of Rhythm’s Youth Tap Ensemble, Davon developed a deep love for dance. This brought him to attend high school at Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, where he also discovered a passion for Musical Theatre. He’s considered what’s called a “Triple Threat” in the entertainment world, as he’s an accomplished actor, singer and dancer.
Over the past decade, Davon has had many opportunities to perform not only within the greater Twin Cities but also in the Chicago area. Davon was seen recently performing in the new hit adaptation of 42nd Street at the Drury Lane Theater in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. He currently dances with the Chicago Human Rhythm Project and performed in Juba Master of Tap with that ensemble. Davon is also a Member of the Professional Ensemble at Keane Sense of Rhythm.
As an actor, Davon has performed in productions at The Children’s Theatre Company in Minnesota and at Columbia College Chicago, where he majors in Musical Theatre.
Over the years, Davon has had the privilege to travel both nationally and internationally to teach and perform the art forms that he loves.
We are honored to have Davon return to Keane Sense of Rhythm as one of our distinguished Teaching Artists.
Noah Coon
teaching artist, choreographer
Noah graduated from the Chicago College of Performing Arts with a BFA in musical theater and an emphasis in dance. He has studied dance under the mentorship of Jane Lanier, Jumaane Taylor, Sarah Reich, Tammy Mader, Cathy Wind, and Ellen Keane and is currently teaching dance and choreographing across the greater Twin Cities area.
Noah Coon
Teaching Artist / Choreographer
Noah graduated from the Chicago College of Performing Arts with a BFA in musical theater and an emphasis in dance. He has studied dance under the mentorship of Jane Lanier, Jumaane Taylor, Sarah Reich, Tammy Mader, Cathy Wind, and Ellen Keane and is currently teaching dance and choreographing across the greater Twin Cities area.
Noah has been a company member in Stone Soup Rhythms at the American Rhythm Center, the Ballet Arts Youth Ensemble, Keane Sense of Rhythm’s Youth Tap Ensemble, and Elite Tap Feet. Noah was recently seen in the Twin Cities dancing in Michael Heitzman and Jared Grimes’ production of 42nd Street at the Ordway.
When not dancing Noah can be found singing, acting, working on film projects, and playing yo-yo. He has performed with the Guthrie Theater, Park Square Theatre, Children’s Theatre Company, Old Log Theater, History Theater, Porchlight Music Theatre, the Chicago Fringe Opera, and toured nationally with Troupe America.
We’re excited to have Noah as a Teaching Artist in Residence at Keane Sense of Rhythm!
Carla Bode
teaching artist
Carla Bode has duel degrees in Dance & Theater Education and English Education and a Holistic Health Studies Master’s Certificate from Saint Catherine University. She teaches creative movement at several early childhood schools in Minneapolis and is thrilled to be teaching Tappy Hours and community education classes for Keane Sense of Rhythm.
Carla Bode
Teaching Artist
Originally from New Ulm, Carla Bode has duel degrees in Dance & Theater Education and English Education and a Holistic Health Studies Master’s Certificate from Saint Catherine University. She is also a certified RYT 200 yoga teacher.
Carla has served as a dance specialist for several arts magnet middle and high schools. She has also taught for many various non-profits, colleges, and private schools in the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota. She also creates and performs with the Rural Route Dance Ensemble.
Currently, she teaches creative movement at several early childhood schools in Minneapolis, and is thrilled to be teaching Tappy Hours and community education classes for Keane Sense of Rhythm.
Jensen Freedman
teaching artist, choreographer
Jensen Freedman, LA native, has been enjoying the art of tap dance since the age of 3. Jensen has been training for 15 years with Tap Into The Network/ TITN Intensive, working with Gregg Russell, Angela Carter, and Ryan Lohoff. She teaches Dance Fit, Footworking and Tap 4 / 5 on Tuesday evenings.
Carla Bode
Teaching Artist
Jensen Freedman, LA native, has been enjoying the art of tap dance since the age of 3.
As a young dancer, Jensen was a featured dancer in two LA-based dance companies: Tap Sounds Underground and Rithem Dance Company.
Jensen has been training for 15 years with Tap Into The Network/ TITN Intensive, working with Gregg Russell, Angela Carter, and Ryan Lohoff.
Jensen excels in creating commercial tap work and has been featured in Dunkin' Donuts and Kikkoman Soy Sauce commercials.
Board of Directors
Dennis Anderson, President
Ann Mockovak
Mary Helmin
Maggie Brickson, Financial Officer
Sara Schreier
Shonni Krengel, Secretary
Rev. Dr. Darcel Hill
