Stephanie McDougall-Rud is a member of Dance Masters of America with an extensive 22 year background in teaching ballet, jazz, lyrical and hip hop to students of all ages Ms. McDougall-Rud began her dance training with the Wenatchee Civic Ballet at age of 9 and was hired as an instructor with the United Dance Association at the age of 17. 

In 1991 Stephanie received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance Performance from the University of Washington while simultaneously teaching dance classes at two of the largest dance schools in the Seattle area. 

Ms. Rud’s innovative and motivational teaching techniques have placed her in the forefront of dance educators.  As a freelance choreographer for dance studios across the Western United States she has earned numerous awards including the prestigious “David De Marie” excellence in choreography award from Dance Masters of America. In addition, her dance students and choreography have been recognized on regional and national levels by earning teaching awards from West Coast Dance Explosion, Paula Abul’s “Company Dance” convention,  and New York City Dance Alliance’s “Critics Choice Award” among others. Her high energy jazz choreography has been nationally televised for the NCAA “Aloha Bowl” halftime show and in the former TV talent show “Destination Stardom”.

Stephanie’s teaching quest led her to the NBA where she was hired as the Director/Choreographer for the Seattle Sonics Dance Team and WNBA Storm Dance Troupe in 1998. She resigned in 2002 to focus on her role as a new mother and establish her own dance school.

In the Fall of 2003, Ms. Rud opened Dance Premier in Issaquah, Washington where she and her acclaimed faculty now teach at 2 studio locations on the Sammamish Plateau. Along with being the Director and lead instructor of Dance Premier, she is the Artistic Director for  the “Prodigy” Dance Company consisting of 50-60 dancers between the ages of 7-18 who have the desire and skill to perform at a competitive level.

Also in 2003, Stephanie was approached by the Seattle Mariners to be the first choreographer for the MLB and create dance routines to be performed by the Mariners Grounds Crew during the bottom of every 3rd inning. The Mariners Grounds Crew performance received regional and national recognition and eventually propelled the NY Yankees to follow in their dance footsteps.  Since this time, Stephanie has also developed and choreographed a junior Mariners dance team comprised of dancers from her studio who audition to perform at various home games throughout the season. Last year, for the first time in Mariner history, Stephanie’s competitive dancers from Dance Premier were asked to be the featured performers at the MLB Season Home Opening Game at Safeco Field.  Stephanie worked with the Mariners organization and 42 of her dancers to produce an amazing show that was nationally televised.  Currently, Stephanie looks forward to her 9th year as the choreographer for the Seattle Mariners Grounds Crew and is looking forward to a prosperous future and exclusive relationship between the Seattle Mariners and Dance Premier, Inc.