Two Faculty members certified to teach by Dance Masters of America, Four are members of Dance Masters of America and two with college degrees in dance.

We Pride Ourselves in Having One of the Most Knowledgeable and Experienced Faculties in the Area!
Dance is fun. It is no less fun to learn from a professional teacher and is ultimately more rewarding!

DEBBY LOTZ DILLEHAY

Owner / Artistic director / Choreographer / Teacher

Dancing since the age of two at the Joyce Vignes School of Dance in New Orleans, Debby has been certified by test to teach by Dance Masters of America, Louisiana Dance Masters, and Dance Educators of America. She is currently a board member of Dixie Dance Masters Chapter #37 and is a certified examiner for the organization.    In 2007 Debby Dillehay and Staci Gelpi were trained in the Leap n Learn early childhood development pre-ballet program personally by author Beverly Spell and child psychologist, Dr. Annie W. Spell. Leap n Learn is designed to develop the “whole brain” with the right hemisphere accessing feeling and emotion and the left hemisphere serving as the technician and organizer.  She is certified in the Progressive Ballet Technique program (PBT).  Debby has been labeled by many master teachers and competition coordinators as having a most professional attitude. Her professionalism has produced many outstanding dancers, including professionals. Her dances have been invited on performance tours of the Soviet Union, Poland, China, Spain, The Caribbean Festival of the Arts in San Juan, and Australia. She has been commissioned by other out-of-state and local studios, as well as being guest faculty at Dance Olympus. Debby has produced many regional and national title winners including Louisiana’s Petite, Junior, Miss Dance, Junior Miss DEA, Miss DEA Mid-South, Teen Mr. DEA Mid-South, Miss Dance of Dixie, Petite Miss, Junior Miss, and Teen Miss & Mr. Dance Dixie. Her students have won scholarships to study all over the country, dance scholarships to major universities. Her students have obtained employment at theme parks, dance companies, the Disney Hunchback premier, Superbowl half-time shows, and was chosen (as a group) to perform at EPCOT Center in Disney world. Debby was elected for “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” for the years 1996 & 2000 and Who’s Who in America’s Executives and Professionals for 2003. She has received choreography awards from Dance America & the American Dance Awards. In 2001 she received the “Teachers’ Choice Award” from fellow dance teachers. She was nominated for Woman of the Year for 2004. Debby is a past President of Dixie Dance Masters and is currently on the board of that organization. She was “Teacher in the Spotlight” in Dance Studio Life Magazine in 2009 and was interviewed and appeared in Dance Teacher Magazine in 2010 as well as Dance Studio life in 2013.  In June 2015 she received the local “I Can Be” Award given to women who exemplify courage, confidence & contribution and is extremely grateful for the honor.

STACI MELANCON GELPI

Faculty 

Dancing since the age of two, Staci graduated from the Joyce Vignes School of Dance in 1990. She was on the faculty of JVSD as assistant and associate teacher from 1990 until the school s closing in 2004. At that time, she joined our faculty as assistant and substitute teacher before becoming a full faculty member. Staci performs for many events as an adult member of the Debby Dillehay Dance Troupe. She has judged many local dance team auditions. In 2007 she was trained in the Leap n Learn early childhood development program and has attended two refresher programs since that time. Staci is certified by test to teach by Dixie Dance Masters and Dance Masters of America and is now a Nationally certified teacher examiner for that organization. She is currently President of Dixie Dance Masters Chapter #37.  Staci continues to study new techniques by attending workshops and the DanceLife Teacher Conference.

                                   COREY MELANCON

Modern  & Choreographer

Corey is a native of New Orleans, graduating with a B.F.A. in Dance from Temple University in Philadelphia. She studies at the Martha Graham Institute in New York City and has traveled to Europe visiting Trinity Laban Dance Conservatory in London and PARTS in Brussels, Belgium. In March 2015, her choreography was chosen to represent Temple at the Northeast Regional American College Dance Association. At that time, she was also invited to audition for the Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch Company in Wuppertal, Germany. Corey trained at the Debby Dillehay Dance Studio where she was a member of both the Dance Troupe and the competition team. She graduated from the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA). Of special interest is her passion to explore a variety of dance cultures to create an innovative fusion of techniques and movement styles.  Corey continues to study the art of dance traveling to New York to study especially with the Martha Graham group.  Corey is now a full time teacher with the New Orleans Ballet Association

GEORGIA SMITH

Office Manager

Georgia has been involved with the Debby Dillehay Dance Studio since her daughter, Dwanyelle, started dancing here at age 3. Dwanyelle was on faculty for 11 years. We are very happy to have Georgia and proud that she has been a loyal Debby Dillehay Dance Studio parent and employee.

GABRIELLE AGNER-BOUDREAUX PERSON

Faculty 
Gabrielle is a New Orleans native. She began dancing at the age of 3 at a the Debby Dillehay Dance studio participating in competition team as well the non-profit dance organization, The Debby Dillehay Dance Troupe. Gabrielle has taken summer intensives with the NOBA (New Orleans Ballet Association) program giving her the opportunity to learn from many companies such as Ballet Hispanico, Urban Bush Women, and Paul Taylor. She is certified in Pilates Mat 1 & 2 as well as Progressive Ballet Technique (PBT). Gabby graduated in May from The University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelors in Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography. Gabrielle was a member of USM Repertory Dance Company for 4 years. Gabrielle was given the opportunity to perform at the American College Dance Festival Association in multiple states throughout America. She has taught in multiple studios throughout both Louisiana and Mississippi.

WENDY PALADINO

Head Gymnastics Coach
Wendy studied dance and gymnastics at Joyce Vignes School of Dance and the Debby Dillehay Dance Studio.  She taught gymnastics at the Dillehay Studio, then at Hinkley School of Dance for 26 year.  Wendy has been the cheer coach at St. Philip Neri School for over 15 years.

Fallon Walters

Gymnastics Coach

Fallon started her dance and gymnastics training at the Debby Dillehay Dance Studio.  She was a Rummel High School cheerleader for 4 years resulting in their first National Competition in 2012.  Fallon did competitive cheerleading for Tiger Elite and competed against countries from around the world in the World Championship for All Star Cheerleading.  Fallon trained under Wendy Paladino and Jessica Nash as a gymnastics assistant for three years before taking on the position of assistant gymnastics coach in 2021.  “My dream has always been to educate in something I was passionate about and enjoyed about my childhood!”

Kaitlyn Fontaine

HIP HOP FACULTY

Kaitlyn was born and raised in New Orleans.  Her dance journey began at 3 years old and it has been her passion ever since.  She was a competitive dancer, A Chapelle High-Stepper serving as officer and Co-Captain.  She is a former NBA Dancer for the New Orleans Pelicans and currently serves as the Early Birds Coach and choreographer.

Charlene Hibbs

FACULTY