DEBBY LOTZ DILLEHAY - Artistic director / Choreographer / Teacher
Dancing since the age of two, 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 member of Dixie Dance Master, but continues to study new techniques. Debby has been labeled by many master teachers and competition coordinators as having the most professional attitude of all New Orleans area studio owners. 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, 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 currently 1st Vice President of Dixie Dance Masters.

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.

STACI MELANCON GELPI - 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 and is now on full faculty.  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 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.

SARA BOTSAY - Sara began her study of dance at age two.  She is a 2002 graduate and 2004 teacher graduate of our studio.  She performed for many audiences in the metro area as a member of the Debby Dillehay Dance Troupe for five years.  She played th lead in our  Beauty and the Beast  Christmas Show in 2002.  Sara has won many competition honors over the years including Dance America s young Choreographers Award in 2004.  She also choreographs for our competition team.  Sara is preparing for medical school by attending Loyola University on a academic scholarship.  This will be Sara s fourth year on our faculty although she spent many years as class demonstrator, class assistant and student teacher.

SCOTT JOHNSTON - Gymnastics faculty - Scott started on our gymnastics faculty in 1988. He is a 1991 teacher graduate of our studio. Scott is a former Northwestern State Cheerleader. He taught gymnastics at the Meatirie YMCA before joining the Navy. While living in Virginia, he taught gymnastics at Dance & Gymnastic Expressions Studio in Stafford.

E.J. WILLIAMS - Hip Hop teacher-Fresh from Broadway Dance Center in New York City, E.J. taught a hip hop workshop in March and April of 2007.  He was such a success with the students and parents, that we decided to keep him around.  E.J performed with the 730 Dance Company and the Queenz Finest Dance Company in New York.  He also danced with the Dillard University Diamond Dance Team for two years before leaving to study dance and perform in New York.