Team | Treehouse Dance Proj

Copy of Bodyweight strength training (11 x 4 in).png

Starting with family, we strive to build a team that feels like family. Our staff is dedicated to creating a supportive, welcoming, and challenging dance environment for all students.

If you have experience in dance instruction and are looking for a workplace where your creativity is celebrated, we want to hear from you. For all teaching inquiries, please email Ashli at treehousedanceproject@gmail.com

Ashli Salokar

Artistic Director

Jazz, Modern & Contemporary, Hip Hop, Ballet

Hi! I’m Ashli. I began my dance journey at Kaleidoscope Dance Studio when I was 5 years old. I was blessed to be supported by loving and open-hearted instructors who planted creative seeds in my world. I was allowed to assist, teach, and choreograph at a young age, which granted me the freedom to experiment and find my way as a choreographer and teacher. Throughout high school, I danced as a member of the Chisago Lakes High School dance team where I served as a captain for two years and eventually returned as a JV coach in 2022. I am currently continuing my dance studies toward a Bachelor of Arts in Dance at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Beyond dance, I am a lover of nature, movement, and overall wellness. Dance offers me infinite ways to connect with myself and express myself creatively in an ever-changing world, a gift I strive to share with other dancers. I’m driven to provide a dance education grounded in strength, community, and passion.

Cheri Salokar

Assistant Director

Tap, Tumbling

Hi! I’m Miss Cheri. I’m the very proud mother of Miss Ashli and her 3 older brothers! I started dancing at a very young age and was also very passionate about being a gymnast! I participated as an All-Around gymnast on the Chisago Lakes gymnastics team through my senior year and then continued involvement in the sport by coaching. Being a gymnast taught me the importance of strength, progression, teamwork and
mentorship. I returned to the dance world in my teen years where I performed at Kaleidoscope Dance Studio and then continued teaching there for many years after. I love to share my passion for dance with my students and feel proud to see them grow into talented young adults and confident artists. Outside of dance, I love the great outdoors and enjoy hiking, gardening,
biking, swimming and kayaking. I can genuinely say I love all styles of dance, but my favorite is Tap!

Mac

Treehouse Mascot

Being a good boy.

Cori Stupak

Instructor and Choreographer

Cori grew up training at Dance Direction, the premiere competition studio in Northern California, under the direction of Lisa Clark-Schmeling. After graduation, Cori went on to choreograph for and coach both high school and collegiate all-star dance teams, while attending Sacramento State university where she was a member of both the university’s dance team and dance company. Due to serious injury, Cori’s vision for how she’d use dance in her life had to change, which led her to teaching and choreography. Throughout 25 years she has taught dancers to not only love the physical aspect of dance, but the mental as well, fostering healing through dance and the many life lessons that can be taught in the studio. Since moving to Minnesota in 2017, she’s taught, choreographed for, and mentored students in and around the Twin Cities and has had choreographic works performed at many landmark theaters, as well as at Mall of America and Saints Stadium. She has also loved working on several concept videos, full-scale music videos, and choreographing for her own performance company. Cori absolutely loves fostering both love and respect for dance in studios, at conventions, and on competition stages across the country.

Jodi Richert-Sahli

Ballet Instructor

Hey! I’m Jodi. I began my dance career at age 4. I did competitive dance for 8 years, danced on my high school dance line, and Minored in Dance from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Throughout my adolescent years I was fortunate to have had dance instructors and mentors that fostered creative movement while instilling a sense of discipline. During my college career I was blessed to have been mentored by incredibly creative minds that helped me push everything I thought I knew about the art form. After college I taught dance for 6 years before taking a break and I am SO thrilled to be able to teach again! When I am not dancing, I can be found with my family, probably in one of my many gardens or hanging out with my many animals.