225-753-6909
Jennifer White- Artistic Director/Owner
Originally from Lake Charles, Louisiana, Jennifer White received her classical ballet training from Sarah Quinn Jones at Dance Theatre Southwest. While in high school, Mrs. White attended North Carolina School of the Arts and graduated from the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts with concentration in Dance and was awarded the Presidential Scholar and Regent Scholar Awards. She also trained and performed with Delta Festival Ballet in New Orleans. Her repertoire includes Petrushka, Cinderella, The Nutcracker, Taunhauser, Evangeline, Paquita, La Bayadere, La Corsaire, Swan Lake, Hansel and Gretel, The Magic Flute, The Barber of Seville, Bastien and Bastienne, and Amahl. In 2003, Mrs. White co-directed the Inner City Nutcracker for Mid City Dance Project and continues to work with children with special needs. She is also director of the Dance Center and School of Performing Arts Company and Junior Company. Most recently, Mrs. White co-directed, along with Dugg McDonough of LSU Opera, Seven Deadly Sins and was also choreographer for Trouble in Tahiti and The Cunning Little Vixen, with LSU Opera - of which has been awarded national awards and recognition. Mrs. White's vision for her school is to achieve excellence through quality instruction in all the arts for students wishing to pursue a professional career as well as a wonderful education for those who prefer to learn about their art form for their own personal enjoyment.
Additionally, Mrs. White is a fitness instructor in Power Yoga, Kickboxing and Body Pump and teaches at several Baton Rouge area gyms. Mrs. White is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in Graphic Design and has run her own design business for over 25 years. She is also a partner in her family's property investment company, White Oak Property Investments, LLC. Mrs. White is also blessed with a wonderful husband and two beautiful children.
Rachel Harper
Rachel began studying classical ballet in Baton Rouge at the age of 3. She was a member of her school's ballet company and at the age of sixteen began teaching ballet classes. Rachel then went on to earn her undergraduate degree in dance from Northwestern State University of Louisiana. During her college career, she was a member of the NSULA's Dance Company and the Demon Dazzler Dance Team. She performed in numerous stage productions with the Theater and Dance department, including The Wiz and Smokey Joe's Cafe. She has been a teacher with The Dance Center for nearly 7 years now. She specializes in jazz, lyrical, and modern dance classes. Ballet is always a first love for her! Rachel loves teaching dance and being with both the preschool and high school dancers! She loves the Dance Center and can't wait to see you in class.
Renee Brian
Renee Brian is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who was formally trained by Mrs. Phoebe Brantley. She attended the North Carolina School of the Arts and the Eglevsky Ballet School. She has been a ballet teacher at the Dance Center and School of Performing Arts since it opened in 1995. She has taught ballet to inner city and special needs children with Mid City Dance Project. She is also a volunteer with the Baton Rouge Junior League, St. Joseph Academy, St. Jude the Apostle, and Catholic High School. Renee and her husband Kevin have three beautiful children.
MaKayla Wilson
MaKayla is a passionate and energetic dance instructor with over 10 years of teaching experience inspiring dancers of all ages. She specializes in hip-hop, contemporary, jazz and acro. She creates a positive, confidence-building environment where students can grow both technically and creatively. Her goal is to help every dancer develop discipline, self-expression, and a lifelong love for movement while making every class fun, challenging, and memorable.