Mrs. Shala James Waguespack

Owner ~ Artistic Director ~ Choreographer

Mrs. Shala received her teachers certificate in 1997 after only 7 years of dance from Softley Dance Academy.  During her dance career she attended various dance competitions and conventions.  She achieved first place ribbons and trophies and won the title of Miss Footloose among others.  In addition to competitions, she performed in the opening ceremony of the Olympics, The Hunchback of Notre- Dame Disney Parade, was the co-director of The Gold Dusters Dance Team and even had the privilege of choreographing a stage routine for Chris Owens.  She continued her certification in dance by testing  with Louisiana Dance Masters and Dance Masters of America and served on numerous committees including representative at large.  She attended The University of New Orleans in which she obtained a degree in Psychology.  She  was a  member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority and held numerous officer positions  such as Membership Vp, New Member Orientation Chair, and others.    However, she decided to follow her dream and in 2008 opened the doors to her own studio - Dance Innovation.  Mrs. Shala is married with three children (Tommy, Layden, and Shyann), teaches 8th grade special education at Hammond Eastside Magnet School and is the sponsor of the cheer squad  Even with all of this she still manges to do what she loves most - teach dance.  Her goal is to inspire her students to learn proper technique, discipline and above all to teach them the love of dance in a family friendly atmosphere where they can be the best version of themselves.

 Mrs. Vickie St. Germain

Teacher ~ Choreographer

With over 30 years of dance experience, Mrs. Vickie has many accomplishments which include : Treasurer and Capt. of her high school dance team, officer and Capt. of The Gold Dusters Dance Team, numerous awards at dance competitions including overall awards, as well as volunteered with organizations like Relay for Life and The Crescent City Classic, among others.  In 1997, Vickie graduated from the studio she was dancing at and furthered her education by getting her certification through Dance Masters of America and Louisiana Association of Dance Masters.  She eventually let her membership lapse but continued what she loved to do...teach.  Even with her full time job and raising her two children, Bryce and Madison, she still manages to find time to teach the 6-8 year olds, assist Mrs. Shala with the older girls, and is Capt. of The Dance Innovation Dance Team.  Mrs. Vickie is a great asset to the studio and we are lucky to have her on board.

Miss Brittany Tullier

Teacher

Miss Brie graduated in 2012 as the first graduating class of Dance Innovation.  At that time she had  over 13 years of dance and twirl experience.  Mrs. Brie has won multiple national and regional titles for cheer and twirl.  Her titles include Miss Majorette of Louisiana for over 7 years and Majorette Queen of Louisiana.  In addition to these titles she has also won overall awards at dance competitions and traveled to Disney where she won the  National Cheer World Champion with Tiger Elite.  Although she was invited to the Hawaii and Orange bowl , she was unable to attend at the time.  In addition to all of her awards she has had the privilege to judge the talent portion of the Miss Louisiana Pageant numerous times, and was an elite judge for the East Jefferson High School Cheerleaders.  Miss Brie assists with numerous classes as the studio as well as being the Co-capt of The Dance Innovation Dance Team.  If she could teach only one thing to her students it would be how to use dance to escape from reality and how to  create who you want to be through movement and music.

Miss Kahlan Olivia Mary James

Student Teacher

Miss Kahlan is a Sr. at Covington High School.  She has a 4.4 Gpa, is a member of The Covington High Dance Team, Secretary of the National Honor Society, member of the foreign language club, as well as choreographed routines for Covington High's dance recital.    Miss Kahlan has been dancing since she could walk making this her 16th year of dance.  Of all her accomplishments in dancing, she is most proud of being chosen as an officer on the Dance Innovation Dance Team.  This year she is also working towards getting her teaching certificattion by testing in  Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Acro.  One of her favorite things about the studio is the family dynamics.  She dreams one day of owning her own dance studio and instilling the love of dance into the younger students.

Miss Madison Noel Davis

Student Teacher

Miss Maddy is a four year member of The Chapellettes and is a Sr. at Archbishop Chapelle High School.   Miss Maddy has many academic accomplishments including winning 1st place in two essay competitions as well as being 7th grade Student Council President, Member of the National Honor Society,  Treasurer of the National French Honor Society, attended District and State Rally for French, Treasurer of the Garden Club, Vice President of the Science Bowl and attended the March of Life in Washington, D.C. She was Capt. of OLDP Cheers quad and this year  Secretary of Chapellettes.  She believes strongly in giving back to the community and has raised money for the second harvest food bank among other things.  She currently assists with the 6-8 year olds and is studying to become a certified teacher in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Acro. at Dance Innovation.  She plans to attend  college locally (in order to continue dance) and major in Business with the hopes of running her own business one day.

Mrs. Kirsten Weaver

Student Teacher

Mrs. Kirsten attended the University of Southern Mississippi and graduated in 2017 with a degree in Speech Pathology.  In college she was a member of Phi Beta Phi in which she held positions such as Vice President of Philanthropy (children literacy), as well as Dance -a- Thon Chair.  She was on the dean and presidents list her whole college career and did volunteer work with AmeriCorp at the Hattiesburg Boys and Girls Club.  Mrs. Kirsten originally started dancing at the age of 7 but joined the Dance Innovation family only three short years ago.  Her previous work with children, as well as her current work with Autistic children, really emphasizes her compassion, love, understanding, and how to connect with all of the students.  Mrs. Kirsten is often found listening to students problems, trying to cheer them up when they are upset , and even bringing them Popeyes' biscuits.  She was chosen as an officer this year on The Dance Innovation Dance Team. She is studying to get her certification in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, and Acro. by test this year.  Mrs. Kirsten states that her favorite style of dance is Jazz because it can show emotions while allowing your personality to show through; however,  her favorite thing about dance is to teach kids with different needs, backgrounds and disabilities.  In addition to Mrs. Kirsten we also got a great studio dad "Mr. Sexy Legs" -Caleb.  Caleb is always willing to play music, help out and entertain us with his amazing accent.  We are lucky to have them at our studio.

Miss Skylar Fraysier

Class Demonstrator

Miss Skylar has been dancing with Dance Innovation since we opened our doors.  At the age of 3, Skylar loved coming to the studio and always knew how to make everyone laugh.  She is an original member of The Dance Innovation Dance Team and was on  our first competition team.  Miss Skylar performed her first solo and placed gold.  Outside of dance she is actively involved in The Vineyard Church.  She attends mission trips every summer since she was 10.  Although Skylar is still our class clown, she is one of our  hardest working, dedicated, caring and compassionate students.  We are honored to get to watch her grow and to have her as a class demonstrator.

Mrs. Sybil Labat James

Studio Manager

Mrs. Sybil or as everyone at the studio calls her "mom" is always there to lend a hand , help with homework in between classes, listen when you need an ear , and bandage up any injuries.  She handles all the bills as well as manages the Dance Team.  At parades you can find her waving from the trailer with a big smile or getting water ready for the girls.  At the studio she is always in the waiting room at her desk peeking at the dances and offering encouraging words to both the students and faculty.