Alumni

Gerald Dishman is the owner/ director/ choreographer of Gerald Dishman’s Academy of Dance. He has studied under the instruction of Catherine Defrances, Gwyn Nunez, Angie Snow (all three with the De Frances Academy of Dance in Baton Rouge) and was a member of Dance Force. He has also studied with Ray Leaper, Frank Hatchet, and Joe Lanteri. He has appeared in a music video for Kim Richie that aired on CMT and VH1. He has performed in “The Governor’s Ball” produced by Disney’s Lin Holdridge and has also choreographed the musical “Hello Dolly” for the Thibodaux Playhouse, which won numerous awards. He also travels the country with Kids Artistic Revue as a judge on their distinguished panel of judges and member of their staff as their emcee and backstage coordinator.

Kyle Kahn was a member of Dance Force, won the national title of Mr. Dance of Dance Educators of America, worked in the cruise line industry dancing and singing for 2 years. He then worked at Disney in Tokyo for 2 years, worked in Las Vegas and currently lives in Orlando producing and choreographing for Disney.

Erika Guiberteau is from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She graduated, magna cum laude, as a dance performance major from Oklahoma City University. She graduated from the New York Film Academy in acting. She has danced with the American Spirit Dance Company. With the company, she was chosen to be on dance tours throughout the United States and China. She was a back up dancer for country superstar Vince Gill and his wife Amy Grant. She has danced with the Alabama Ballet and the Oklahoma Philharmonic Orchestra. She was a member of the Universal Dance Association. She choreographs for dance studios and dance companies in the South. She has choreographed for the World's Our Little Miss pageant. She was named Best choreographer at OCU. Also, at OCU she received the Jo Rowan dance scholarship and named Most Promising Dancer. Recently, she was named the head choreographer for the Roar into Action Kids Club. She will choreograph their films and live stage shows. She was a past student and past Dance Force member of De Frances Academy of Dance.

Jennifer Dubea Cothren brings her passion and extensive knowledge of dance, combined with more than 25 years of experience, to the Baton Rouge Dance Connection. She is certified to teach dance through the prestigious organization, Dance Masters of America. Mrs. Jennifer had extensive training in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz and Lyrical. She has studied dance through many national companies includingNorth Carolina School of the Arts, Dance Masters of America, Dance Educators of America, Gus Giordano Dance Center in Chicago, Phoebe Brantley School of Ballet, as well as studying dance locally with De Frances Academy of Dance. While at De Frances, she was a member of Dance Force. Jennifer’s numerous accomplishments include Director of Baton Rouge Dance Connection, Nationally Recognized/Award Winning Choreographer/Instructor, National Dance Competition Judge combined with being accepted to Joffrey School of Ballet and Virginia School for the Arts.

Natalie Viator danced at De Frances for 15 years! She was on the St. Michael’s dance team where

she served as captain her senior year. Natalie is currently an L.S.U. Tiger Girl

Natalie Bailey danced with De Frances Academy of Dance for many years until she graduated high school. She was on her high school dance team at Woodlawn and was a 3 year member of the L.S.U. Golden Girls. Natalie has performed with the BRLT in Chicago, The Producers, Cats, The Best Little Whore House In Texas and Beauty And The Beast. Her film credits include Dance World and Revelations.

Ashleigh Hurrelbrink danced with De Frances Academy of Dance for many years. She was an LSU Tiger Girl

and is currently on the Southeastern University Lionettes dance team.

Gigi Haddad is the owner/director/teacher/choreographer of A Chorus Line Dance Company. “Miss” Gigi has over 30 years of dance experience including having taken from De Frances Academy of Dance. Gigi is a member of Dance Educators of America. She has received many regional and national choreography awards and is a well known judge for major dance competitions.

Paige Pedersen has been dancing for more than 15 years in the Baton Rouge area. As a student she competed as a member of Dance Force for 10 years with De Frances Academy of Dance, traveling to New York, Las Vegas, Dallas, Branson, and San-dusky, where she received multiple regional and national awards . She has studied under choreographers at West Cost Dance Explosion, Showstoppers, Dance Educators of America, Dance Masters of America, and Hip-Hop choreographer Deena Rizzo. Paige danced for the Catholic High Bruinettes for 3 years and was captain of the squad her senior year; along with being captain of SJA's liturgical dance group for 3 years. Paige has performed in the Baton Rouge Symphony and appeared in the Lifetime movie "The Staircase Murders". She has attended LSU for 2 years and is currently attending Our Lady of the Lake College to study nursing. Paige is on staff at the Baton Rouge Dance Connection.

James Sutherland began his dance training from De Frances at the age of 5. He was a member of Dance Force and competed for about 9 years winning many titles as a tap soloist including the national title of Mr. Showbiz. He then moved to New York City were he continued his dancing and began acting as well. Jimmy is an accomplished singer, dancer and actor. A true triple threat!

Rachal DeLouche has been dancing for 22 years. She was a proud member of the LSU Golden Girls and of the LSU Tiger Girls. Involved in teaching, she assisted in choreography of the routines that the Tiger Girls performed at the LSU basketball games as well as being a member on their National Team. Miss Rachal was also a staff instructor for the Universal Dance Association. While attending Bishop Sullivan High School, she was a member of the Dance Line for 4 years and co-captain of the Dance Line during her senior year. She has had extensive training in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern and Hip-Hop dance forms as well as partner work most from De Frances Academy of Dance. One of her former dance partners, Jimmy Sutherland, is currently pursuing a dance and acting career in New York City. She has traveled the continental US studying dance at prestigious studios such as Edge Performing Arts Studio while in LA as well as in cities such as New York, Orlando, Houston, Dallas, Las Vegas, New Orleans and Branson. Throughout her dance experiences, Rachal, has achieved outstanding success in dance by receiving many dance scholarships as well as being the recipient of numerous regional and national awards. Rachal has performed locally with the Baton Rouge Sympathy Orchestra, Tucumcari Ball, and the Louisiana Festival “ Bonne Fete” and was accepted though auditions to dance at Six Flags. Rachal is on staff at the Baton Rouge Dance Connection.

Monika Guiberteau began her dance training from De Frances. She was a member of the Dance Force competition team and received many high score awards. She was a catholic High Bruinette her senior year at SJA and an accomplished gymnast. Monika is currently attending Oklahoma City University and is a member of the American Spirit Dance Company. Currently, Monika is a performer at Disney World.

Monica Thibodeaux Monica Thibodeaux is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana where she started dancing at age 2. When she was about 6 years old she started dancing with De Frances Academy of Dance and also eventually became a member of Dance Force. In May of 2007 Monica graduated from California State University Long Beach with a B.F.A. in Dance. Monica has trained under such choreographers as Keith Johnson, Sean Greene, Susan McLain, Sharon Kinney, and Holly Johnson. She also trained at the Paul Taylor Summer Intensive and the Diavolo Summer Intensive. Monica has performed in numerous concerts at CSULB and she was also a member of Of Moving Colors Modern Dance Company, CAGED, and most recently Gallimaufry and Greene Contemporary Dance Company.

Bailey Purvis studied dance with De Frances Academy of Dance and was a member of the Dance Force competition team. She’s known she’s wanted a career in musical theater since she was 6 years old. She was

recently seen on the TV show, “High School Musical: Get in the Picture.” Bailey is pursuing an acting, singing and dancing career.

Tammy Palmer was one of the first members of our competition team! She currently owns one of the top dance studios in the south located in Lake Charles, LA. Her competition team is one of the best in the country!

If you are a past student of De Frances Academy of Dance and want to be a part of our alumni page, please e-mail a recent picture or headshot with a write up to defrances.dance2@gmail.com.

We want to hear from you!

Sean C. Viator began dancing at DeFrances when he was 9. He was a member of DeFrances Dance Force where he won many awards and scholarships such as National Mr. Teen Dance Educators of America. Sean now trains at the University of Arizona, a school known for its high caliber of dancers. Recently, he traveled to China where he performed with Art.If.Act Dance Project. Sean is also an on-call dancer for Cirque Du Soleil.

Lauren Knight began dancing at DeFrances Academy of Dance when she was 9 years old. She was a member of DeFrances Dance Force for 4 years. Lauren won the Dancer of the Year Award for the Prairieville location in 2006. She now attends Louisiana Tech University where she is majoring in Mechanical Engineering. She is a member of the dance team, "Regal Blues", for Louisiana Tech.