MY WHY BEHIND THE STUDIO…

I started dancing at age 2 in Lake Charles, Louisiana with Lady Leah LaFargue School of Dance. My ballet teacher sparked a light within me, a love for the stage, performing and passion for teaching. Watching the “big girls” dancing and dreaming of being Rudolph in our Christmas ballet, then to dreams coming true and dancing the role of Rudolph as a young adult! Another highlight of the ballet days, was dancing the role of Petruska in Petruska. 

As a child I was very active. Dance gave me a outlet and a place to focus that energy. Movement taught me how to release stress and anxiety. I learned disciples in listening, respect and teamwork. Preparing for live performances, you never know what may happen in a show. No matter how prepared, something unexpected can always happen. You have to work together, help each other and react within seconds. Life isn’t always as planned and we have to be prepared and ready for all life deals us. 

Now, you wonder where does musical theatre happen? Well… Pointe shoes, not my thing! As a child I LOVED watching musicals and always dreamed of singing AND dancing. So, I auditioned for a production of Cabaret at our local community theatre. Very unaware and unprepared, but to my surprise I was cast as a Kit Kat Girl in the production. I was then bitten by the theatre bug! The people, the shows, rehearsals, acting, singing and dance.

To deepen my training I began taking workshops and performed with Humphrey Performing Arts in Houston, TX. I decided to venture back to the dance world and did a year long traineeship with a modern dance company.

That was when really discovered that musical theatre was my passion. Good bye dance world, musical theatre was where I belonged.

I auditioned and was accepted to KD Conservatory in Dallas, TX and graduated with an Associate Degree in Musical Theatre. Learning from working professionals in the industry or performed on and off Broadway, and other regional theatres. While in school I was offered teaching opportunities at local children’s studios. Including choreographing and directing children’s productions including: Seussical the Musical and Cinderella. Before moving from Dallas, I was on staff and substitute faculty at KD Conservatory. 

I also performed professionally around DFW metroplex theatre productions including; A Chorus Line, Oklahoma!, CATS, Music Man, West Side Story and more. I became an Actors Equity Association Candidate. I worked on and off stage, as a costumer with the Dallas Costume Shoppe. I costumed professional and local theatre, ballet and opera productions. I was hired as wardrobe assistant and quick changer for professional productions. I also worked behind the studio scenes as studio office manager.