STUDIO HISTORY

Debby Dillehay is a teacher graduate of the Joyce Vignes School of Dance in New Orleans. In 1976 she was tested and certified by Dance Masters of America, Louisiana Association of Dance Masters and Dance Educators of America. Her studies continued at the famed Gus Giordano Dance Center in Chicago.

In 1976 she moved into the Highway ssPark subdivision in Kenner. Already teaching at the Joyce Vignes School of Dance, she started teaching neighborhood children at their request in her garage. Her teacher and boss suggested the students be put into her recital. Beginning in October with seven students, she ended the season with twenty-five. The following season fifty-two students registered, which multiplied to one hundred twenty-five in 1978. This made it necessary to go out on her own as the “Debby Dillehay Dance Studio.” In 1983 she purchased the location which currently houses the studio. With over two-hundred students in 1986, the extra classroom was added.

Debby proceeded to make a name for herself, and the school, especially in the lyrical form of dance. She started the “Debby Dillehay Dance Troupe” in order to give her dancers more opportunities to perform. It was at one of these performances that they were noticed, and invited as good will ambassadors for the United States in a performance tour of the Soviet Union in 1989 as well as 1990. The invitations continued to Spain, Poland, Australia, and the San Juan Festival of the Arts. Another performance landed a spot in the movie “Hot Steps” for one of her students, as well as a guest solo spot with the Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago for another student. Debby started receiving offers to teach at other studios in Marrero, Bogalusa, Chalmette, Texas, and Oklahoma. She was invited to be a guest teacher by the Dance Olympus Workshop circuit in 1994 and 1995 teaching at various locations within the United States.

Knowing there is no criteria for opening a dance studio, Debby’s goal has always been to strive to be the best. Her dream was to create a “teaching school” of high quality, reliability, and integrity with a relaxed atmosphere for students to have fun while learning the art of dance. Her belief in teaching proper technique, and her unique teaching methods has produced professional dancers, both concert and theme park, as well as many title winners such as: Louisiana’s Petite, Junior and Miss Dance, Junior Miss DEA, Teen Miss DEA Mid-South, Teen Mr. DEA Mid-South, Junior, Teen, Miss and Mr. Dance of Dixie. Members of her dance company have won best technical execution honors, scholarships to New York for a “perfect score” in competition, study scholarships to Las Vegas, the Joffrey Ballet in New York City, among others. They were chosen to dance in the premiere of the Hunchback of Notre Dame by Disney, the Super Bowl half-time show, and chosen to dance at Epcot Center as a group in 1996, as well as Disney's Tomorrowland in 2002. Her unique choreography won her a 1994 & 2003 “Best Choreography” award from Dance America and two nominations for 1996, Dance Educators “Work of Art Award”, as well as solo choreography award from Rhee Gold’s American Dance Awards in 1998 & 2000. She was also selected for Who’s Who in America’s Teachers in 1996& 2000. Most recently she received the “Teacher’s Choice” award being nominated by fellow dance teachers. These are just a few of the honors received that remain special in her heart.

Her dream continues as she continues to study new and old techniques. Her biggest joys are watching her students grow into beautiful dancers and adults, and having former students and company members return to visit and help with recitals. Debby wants to educate today’s youth in the field of performing arts, not just teach dance routines. Much dance history will be lost if children are not exposed to it.