Sydney Adams began her dance studies at the Santa Rosa Ballet School in Northern California, under the direction of Julien Herrin (SFB). She continued her training at San Francisco Ballet School and San Francisco Dance Theater, where she became a company member and teacher at age 17.  In 1980 she relocated to New York City and continued intensive training with David Howard and his associates including Nancy Bielski, while on full scholarship. During those years she performed in ballets by Diane Coburn Bruning (Chamber Dance Project) and Darrell Barnett  (Joffrey Ballet). In addition she danced with Garden State Ballet in their Nutcracker. In 1984 she joined the Richmond Ballet in their first year as a professional company. There she performed in ballets including The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sundances, and Balanchine’s Donizetti Variations. As a company member she worked directly with Nicholas Beriosoff on the setting of his Don Quixote.

Upon her return to NYC, Sydney accepted a position as a Conservation Assistant for the Photographic Archives of the Dance Collection of the New York Public Library of Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. She continued her work in NYC as a Personal Assistant to Jerome Robbins, managing his personal and professional business, the Jerome Robbins Foundation, the reconstruction project Jerome Robbins Broadway and serving as a liaison to New York City Ballet and Broadway professionals.

Sydney later relocated to New Orleans, where her three children were born. She then moved to Mobile, where she has taught extensively in the region.  She has been a faculty member of Mobile Ballet since 1996, teaching ballet to children, pre-professionals and adults.  Her students have been accepted into professional companies including New York City Ballet and Miami City Ballet, and college programs including Juilliard, Alvin Ailey, Oklahoma, FSU, and SMU. They regularly attend Summer Intensives including SAB, PNB, SFB, MCB, Houston, Boston and Chautauqua. She teaches students privately, coaches dancers for YAGP, RDA, UBC, and choreographs and coaches dancers for the DYW program.

For 13 years Sydney was the Dance Director, instructor and choreographer at Spring Hill College.  She produced full length evenings of her choreography within the Fine and Performing Arts Department. She has contributed choreography to Parapluie Dance Company, Mobile Ballet, This is Christmas, and was a choreographer for the MCPSS High School Honors Dance Festival.  In addition, she was the Director of the Worship Arts Academy in Mobile. She taught ballet and choreographed for performances of worship dance with orchestra.

Sydney has been a faculty member at LaBelle Performing Arts since 2014. She teaches ballet to LPAC students, LAA students, and adults.  She is thrilled with her student’s successes both in ballet, theater, and their other styles of dance. She is grateful to be a part of the LPA family.

Ms. Adams has a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from New College of California, San Francisco.

Mackenzie is a native of Nashville, TN. She received her formal ballet training from Nashville Ballet and other various styles from Nashville School of the Arts. Following her training she danced professionally with Chicago Ballet, Bryant Ballet, Katies Dance project as well as various freelance and guest appearances. Mackenzie has been a guest artist for Penn State University setting ballets and teaching for their summer intensive. Mackenzie has been on faculty with Chicago Multicultural Dance Center, Chicago Ballet, Montgomery Ballet, PWM Dance.

Ms. Bailey began her dance training at age 3 under the The P.A.C.E. Studio in 1998. She has been training in tap and ballet for 20 years, jazz for 16 years, and lyrical, hip-hop, acrobatics, and modern for 11 years. During her dance training, she’s attended many dance conventions and competitions such as the New York City Dance Alliance, Hollywood Vibe, Kids Artistic Revue, and the American Dance Projekt among others and won in top scoring divisions. In 2008, Ms. Bailey was a featured dancer for The American Dance Projekt seasonal commercial with Scott Benson. Filling in the role as a dance assistant at the age of 13, Ms. Bailey knew right away that teaching dance was her calling leading to her becoming a dance instructor at age of 17. Ms. Bailey specializes in Pre-K, and Elementary dance development, and instructs up to high school level in certain subjects. In 2013 she earned her AA degree and was accepted into the traveling Young Americans Performance Group, but chose to stay in Pace to teach dance instead. Ms. Bailey took ownership of her childhood studio in 2016 at the age of 21. She has choreographed top-award winning dances in the past eight years as company director. Ms. Bailey’s advocacy for dance injury-prevention comes alive in the classrooms as she uses the most recent and credible science-based studies to influence her training for young dancers to keep them well and vital beyond their late teens. Her love for dance and teaching children has set a path that she enjoys every day.​

Jillian was born at Eglin Airforce Base in the panhandle of Florida. As a military dependent, she traveled with her family overseas where she was able to experience many parts of Europe. After retirement, her family settled back in the panhandle of Florida.

Jillian began dancing at the age of 3, and in 2016 she joined LaBelle Performing Arts and was invited onto the LPAC traveling dance company and Pensacola Youth Ballet. She competed for several years and won many scholarships from different conventions and dance programs. She attended the American Ballet Theatre Summer Program at the University of Alabama and spent a month in New York City training with the New York Dance Project. Jillian also attended the Pensacola State College Summer Workshop where she was awarded the Al Gilbert Tap Award. She also attended the invitation-only Talia Favia’s Chapters program in Chicago for specialized training in contemporary dance. Jillian auditioned and was selected to participate in Dance League’s Company and traveled with them to many cities. After dancing for many years with LaBelle and Pensacola Youth Ballet, she was awarded a Principal Dancer role. She danced the lead roles of Rat Queen, Rat Doll, Spanish, Russian, and Sugar Plum Fairy.

Jillian also loves to draw and attended Pensacola State College for two years and graduated with her AA degree. She is now currently a student at University of West Florida and is pursuing a degree in Graphic Design. Jillian has 18 years of extensive training and performance in all styles of dance that she wishes to share with the students of LaBelle Performing Arts. She is passionate about helping her students become better well-rounded dancers.

Kelly began dancing when she was 3 and has trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, Ballroom, and Musical Theater. During her youth, she was a member of the Company and also appeared in numerous shows at The Pensacola Little Theater. She went on to receive her B.F.A. in Musical Theater from The University of West Florida where she appeared in a variety of shows.

Kelly has performed two summer seasons with The International Performing Arts Institute in Hamburg, Germany. She also had the opportunity to perform in Hairspray with Festival South in Hattiesburg, MS.

Kelly’s first instruction opportunities began at the University of West Florida where she served as a Musical Theater Summer Camp Counselor and Dance Fundamentals Teaching Assistant. After graduation, she had the opportunity to work with Young Audiences-Arts for Learning-Virginia as a guest instructor. While there, she worked with Title I schools to bring programming that sought to teach literacy through dance and movement. When she arrived back in Pensacola, Kelly received her Kindermusik credentials and taught early childhood music and movement classes.

After traveling the country as a military spouse, Kelly is thrilled to be back at her “home” studio and to be given the opportunity to continue to cultivate the love of dance in our next generation.

Corrin Norris’ love for dance began at the age of 2 years old.  She has trained as a dancer for 18 years and continues to train under various choreographers across the country.  Her training consists of Jazz, Tap, Classical and Modern Ballet, Hip Hop, Lyrical/Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Ballroom, Acting (film and stage), Modeling (print and runway), Cheerleading/Dance Team, and Piano.  She is hard working, passionate, and dedicated.  Corrin travels the country performing, teaching, and choreographing while instilling the passion and love she has for dance in other young artists.

Corrin has been part of the LaBelle Performing Arts Company since 2007 when the studio first opened.  She has earned numerous scholarships from dance conventions: Jump, Dance League, Radix, Tremaine, and Art of Movement, as well as several regional and national dance titles: Senior Miss Masquerade (2017, 2018) and Senior Miss Dance Magic (2017, 2018).

Corrin has been a principal character in several of LaBelle’s Productions: Snow White, Wizard of Oz, Cinderella, Frankenstein, The Enchanted Wardrobe, and Beauty and the Beast.  She has also been a featured dancer in Pensacola Youth Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker.

Corrin attended the Rockettes Summer Intensive Training Program from 2015-2017 and the Invitational Rockettes Summer Intensive in 2018.  She auditioned at Radio City in 2019, and continues to train and push towards her dreams of becoming a Rockette.

Some of Corrin’s professional jobs include: guest artist with Falynne Lewing and Red Hot Productions at the Grand Sierra Resort for A Thrilling Tribute, Cat Country performer for local parades and video marketing, and solo performer for a live performance with Ava Domini singing her singel “Ugly” in California.

Corrin enjoys teaching at LaBelle and being a master teacher and choreographer for various dance companies across the country.  She has been choreographer and dance assistant for Dance League, USA and continues to tour with their convention.  Corrin has also been a traveling assistant for a California-based choreographer, Ashey Silva, for 5 years.  Corrin has a huge heart for teaching at LaBelle, and continues to share her passion for dance with her students.

Klarissa was born and raised in Oklahoma where she created a strong foundation in performing arts. She had the opportunity to move to Texas at 18 to dance for The Texas Legends and then became the first youngest member to dance professionally for the Dallas Cowboys Rhythm and Blue Dance Team. There she had the opportunity to perform at every home game and appearances, dance on national television, and perform alongside the best dance crews in America such as “The Kinjaz”. After dancing for the Dallas Cowboys, she was asked to join her home state NBA dance team, The Oklahoma City Thunder where she danced for 3 years. Klarissa currently works as a dance teacher at Dixon School of Arts and Sciences and works for the professional theatre company PenArts as a Youth Involvement Director. Klarissa has been teaching at LaBelle since 2023 and she feels so blessed and excited to continue her love for teaching dance at both Labelle locations.

Cheyenna began dancing at the age of 5 at the School of Dance Arts in Sanford Florida. Over the next 13 years, she studied tap, jazz, ballet, and musical theatre. She was part of the S.O.D.A. P.O.Ps (performers on parade) dancing at events throughout the central Florida area. When she was 16, she joined the cast at Walt Disney World where she danced in the SpectroMagic parade. Cheyenna was a touring member of “The Spurrlows”, a professional singing troupe and performed at conventions and events in Orlando, Florida.

Cheyenna earned a B.S. in Biology at the University of Southern Mississippi and an M.S. in Marine Biology at the University of West Florida. She has worked as a research biologist for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. For the last 16 years, Cheyenna has taught science at West Florida High School of Advanced Technology in Pensacola, Florida. She was recently named Escambia County 2020-2021 Teacher of the Year and received the National Bryant True Hero Award for service to the Pensacola community.

After having her two children, Cheyenna had a passion to return to dance. She taught and choreographed for the Gull Point Performing Dancers staging competition tap. She is excited to pass on her love for dance, and especially tap to the next generation!

Dakota Osarczuk grew up dancing in Trinity, Florida. She was raised as a competitive dancer studying all styles of dance and has been assisting classes since she was 6. Dakota furthered her education by taking master classes, attending conventions, and studying with the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, the University of South Florida, and Florida State University. She has performed at many theme parks such as Disney, Universal, and Bush Gardens as well as a special performance at the New Amsterdam Theater in New York City. Dakota was captain of her high school dance team as well as her studio’s competition team. She is now attending the University of West Florida and very excited to be continuing her teaching journey with LPA!

Leslie graduated with a Bachelor’s in Dance in 1998 from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, FL.  Leslie taught Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Modern at Art of Dance in Jacksonville, FL from 1996-1999. Soon after college, she began training in and teaching Ballroom, Latin and Swing.

In 1999, she became the co-director of a dance studio and performing Ballroom and Latin Company, Pharcyde Entertainment in Jacksonville.  Leslie competed in International Latin and was a Rising Star finalist for 4 years.  She also helped start a non-profit community outreach through Pharcyde Entertainment in the Jacksonville area to train children in partner dancing.  Pharcyde Entertainment trained competitive couples to attend the 2004 AAU Junior Olympics with all couples placing in the top 3.  Leslie, her partner, and Pharcyde Entertainment are featured in the book “Glamour Addiction: Inside the American Ballroom Dance Industry” by Juliet McMains.

Leslie has since taught at various studios and schools including: Pine Forest Elementary Arts Magnet School, Jacksonville, FL, Douglas Andersen School of the Arts, Jacksonville, FL, American Dance Festival, Jacksonville University, Dance New York, NY, NY (owner, Edward Simon), You Can Dance, Hermosa Beach, CA (owners, Anna Trbunskaya & Jonathan Roberts of Dancing With The Stars).  Some of her private lessons clients include Lisa Rinehart (wife of Mikhail Baryshnikov), Jared Leto and Salma Hayek (for the fillm “Lonely Hearts”).  Leslie is happy to be back home near family and friends on the Gulf Coast and enjoys teaching all levels and ages of dancers.

Samantha began taking ballet at the age of ten, extending her training in other genres as she continued into middle school and high school. In conjunction, she had the honor of participating in conventions including Pulse, Nuvo, DMA, Co. Dance, among others, as well as in the Alabama All State Show Choir. At a collegiate level, she studied classical ballet and pointe with former Joffrey dancer Dominique Angel and Elie Lazaar, in addition to contemporary and modern with resident TISH graduate Tracy Gilland. She also participated in workshops and master classes with Lori Belilove, Kyle Abraham, Adria Ferrali, Rion Towery, Michael Metcalf, and Tucker Knox.  As a triple major she completed coursework such as pedagogy, composition and choreography, anatomy and alignment, acting, directing, musical theatre, dance history, theatre history, lighting design, sound techniques, improvisational techniques, creative drama, and many more. Beyond the classroom, her work has been featured in student showcases and collaborations spanning every aspect of the performing arts. During that time, she also worked as an instructor/choreographer at Tribe Dance with students of all ages. Having since graduated with a BFA in Dance, a BS in Theatre, and a BA in Spanish, she hopes to continue to learn and grow both as a teacher and as an artist.

Sarah Sessa is excited to join the LaBelle Performing Arts family once again. Sarah’s love for dance began when she was 2 years old but, owes all her training to Jeannie Beasley and Michael Wardlaw. She was a LaBelle Performing Arts company member for many years, competing in various regional and national competitions. Her dance training with LaBelle Performing Arts led her to spend the past 5 years performing in the Entertainment Industry.

Sarah completed one contract with Princess Cruise lines as a Production Show Dancer aboard the Royal Princess. She performed production shows and seasonal performances choreographed by Liz Imperio and Danny Teeson while travelling in the Eastern Caribbean. She then went on to join the opening cast of Shanghai Disneyland performing in various parades, atmosphere shows, and meet and greet opportunities. This propelled her to spend one contract in Hong Kong, and eventually return to the United States in 2018 where she continued performing at Walt Disney World and SeaWorld. Sarah’s experience at the Magic Kingdom includes dancing in Disney’s “Festival of Fantasy Parade,” “Once Upon a Christmastime Parade,” opening cast of “Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party,” and “The Main Street Trolley Show.” Inside SeaWorld, dancing in Sesame Street’s Party Parade and opening Sesame Street’s Christmas Parade.

Sarah is excited to move back to Pensacola and to share her experience and knowledge of dance within the Entertainment industry!

Born and raised in Saginaw, Michigan, Kelly began dancing at the age of three, under the direction of Karolyn Bohaty, Renee Bohaty, and Kim Remenec. With over 30 years of dance experience, Kelly has devoted her life to dance. She was a member of the Bohaty’s School of Dance competition team from the time she was seven until she graduated high school in 2005. Competing in tap, jazz, ballet, en pointé, contemporary, lyrical and acro/tumbling, both at a regional level and national level; traveling across the United States and Canada. She’s learned and completed Al Gilbert’s Tap Theory grades 2-8, as well as Cecchetti Ballet grades 1-5. Kelly began assistant teaching with Karolyn Bohaty when she was 14 years old, and started choreographing when she was 15.

While Kelly has won many top awards and titles as a dancer, nothing fills her heart more than her own dancers achieving their goals. She’s been a scholarship recipient of Dance Teachers Summit in NYC, and one of her soloists was hand selected to perform in then So You Think You Can Dance choreographer, Dan Karaty’s New Year’s Eve Choreography Ball, also in NYC. Many of her students have gone on to compete with college dance teams, or move to the city to pursue their dreams!

Kelly taught weekly classes and several dance intensives while putting herself through college at Central Michigan University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Marketing Communication. She’s lent her choreography talents to Saginaw Valley State University’s dance team, and several other organizations in Michigan. She’s choreographed promos and flashmobs for Michigan State University and Saginaw Spirit Hockey Team.

Kelly works full time at OneBlood, Inc. and has been an instructor at Pure Barre Pensacola for the last 9 years. She’s looking forward to being able to share her love of dance and performing with the students at LaBelle!

Amanda began dancing when she was 3 years old and has trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, and Hip Hop.  She became a competition dancer in high school under the direction of Jeannie Beasley and has been devoted to dance since then.  She was a member of the LPA Company for two years.  In addition, she was on the Tate High School Dance Team for three years and served as dance captain for two of those years.

Amanda has furthered her dance training through the Universal Dance Association, and workshops and conventions based out of New York and Los Angeles.  She has studied directly with Katee Shean, Stevie Ray Anthony, Tania Ante, and Pamela Bowling.

Amanda has won several high score awards from Hollywood Vibe, Masquerade, DMI, KAR, and UDA – All Stars

She is grateful and blessed to be a part of LPA’s teaching staff, and is looking forward to sharing a piece of herself with her students.

Sarah was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. Her ballet training began in 1991 under mentor Louise Kurtz. She went on to study ballet and modern dance technique, dance composition, improvisation, and somatics at Goucher College and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and became a certified dance teacher in Maryland in 2011. In 2015 Sarah earned her MFA in Dance through The George Washington University, where she developed an interest in site-specific and postmodern dance. She has presented and performed in work at the AKIMBO Movement Arts Festival, Fields Fest, The Peale Center, and Baltimore Theater Project. She has choreographed and/or performed with Deep Vision Dance Company, Charm City Ballet, Harford Dance Theater, The Collective, and The Baltimore Rock Opera Society. Sarah founded and taught Maryland dance programs at C. Milton Wright High School and the Baltimore Lab School. She was a choreographer and teacher of classical and contemporary ballet, improvisation, and dance composition through the Lutherville-Timonium Recreation Council for 15 years before moving with her family to Pensacola in 2022.

Ms. Natalie is a versatile choreographer, director, performer, and dance instructor with a wealth of experience in various dance styles and theater productions. She began her dance training at the age of 3 and has since honed her skills in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, modern, pointe, hip-hop, and acrobatics under the tutelage of instructors such as Stephan Grebel, Therese Leager, Renee Bonifay, Melony League, and Barbra Ellen Smart.

Natalie holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Montevallo, AL, where she also contributed significantly to College Night productions as a choreographer and Gold Leader. She worked professionally around the Birmingham, AL area, performing with the Virginia Samford Theatre and teaching dance with Birmingham Children’s Theatre and the Virginia Samford Theatre. After completing her studies, Natalie moved to New York City, where she worked with Wingspan Arts on their afterschool program, teaching ballet to students in the city.

Her professional choreography and directing credits include productions at The Pace Studio in Florida, such as “The Greek Mythology Olympiaganza,” “Cinderella Meets the Little Mermaid,” “Cinder{Ella},” “The Velveteen Rabbit,” “Babes in Toyland,” “Peter Pan {Abridged},” and “Alice in Wonderland.” In addition to her work at The Pace Studio, Natalie has choreographed for numerous theater productions, including “Cinderella” (Upcoming) and “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” at Spanish Fort High School, AL, and “A Christmas Carol” and “Wizard of Oz” with the Brewton Town and Gown Players, AL. Her choreography for youth theater includes “Annie, Jr.,” “Dear Edwina, Jr.,” and “The Music Man, Jr.” at Berry Middle School, AL.

Natalie is passionate about sharing her love for dance and musical theater with students of all ages and is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of performers. She is excited to share her love of theater and dance with her students at LaBelle!

Michelle holds a Master’s Degree in Special Education from the University of Florida. She achieved her National Board Teaching Certificate in 2005 and worked with elementary-aged children with Autism at Escambia Westgate School for 12 years in Pensacola, FL.

Michelle has performed and choreographed for “Dance Alive” FL touring company, working under the direction of Kim Tuttle and Judy Skinner. She has choreographed, instructed, and/or performed for Universal Dance Association, House of Blues Orlando, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Disney, professional dance companies, and theatre productions. She has also instructed “movement” classes for children with severe disabilities.

Michelle is very active in the Pensacola community. She participated as a “founding father” in developing Pensacola Young Professionals, and spearheads many fundraising and community benefits for various foundations throughout the city. In 2002, Michelle founded the Sojourn Project, a multi-faceted arts company, that performed in a variety of galas, fundraisers, festivals, and spectaculars. Michelle co-directed events for NWFL National Dance Week and other performances in 2005 and 2006. Michelle’s greatest talent is helping her students develop artistic expression, connecting humanity in art within music and dance.

Brandi began dancing when she was 3 years old and has trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, and Hip-Hop.  She was a member of the Company for 10 years and has participated in workshops with Hollywood Vibe, Jump, Company Dance, Stars of Tomorrow, New Talent Generation and many more.  In addition, she has taken lessons in New York City and trained under the talents of Stevie Ray Anthony, Tania Ante, and Katee Shean.  Brandi has also performed as a backup dancer with the Imagination Movers.

Brandi was a member of the Pace High School Dance Team for three years where she also assisted the team with choreography.  She was dance team captain during her junior and senior years.   Brandi then moved on to Pensacola Junior College where she was also on the Dance Team during her Freshman and Sophomore years,  and acted as captain during her Sophomore year.

Brandi has won numerous high score awards from well known dance competitions, including:   Masquerade, Hollywood Vibe, Stage One, KAR, Masquerade, NTG, Applause, Showstoppers, VIP, and Stars of Tomorrow

Brandi was a dance assistant for three years and has been an instructor at LaBelle Performing Arts since 2007.  Her passion grows with every year she teaches.  She loves her students and is grateful to be able to pass on her love for dance.

“Acknowledging how the Lord has blessed me, when I think of the future, I, too, think Dance and how I may make a difference for Him in the lives of those whom I am fortunate to work with through Dance.”

Susan-Leigh Davis was born and raised right here in Pensacola, Florida. After graduating from Woodham High School in 1994, she attended the University of West Florida from 1994-1998 for a degree in Music Performance and Education. As a member of Alpha Gamma Delta, she met her now husband, Mike, at a Panhellenic function and they have been married for almost 17 years. Before settling down and starting a family with Mike, Susan-Leigh traveled and lived around the US pursuing her passion for singing/songwriting. She performed in varies venues and festivals as a solo artist and as band member in parts of California, New York, Houston, and Orlando. In 2000, after singing the national anthem at an Ice Pilots hockey game, a rep from Skyhook Management approached Susan-Leigh and asked if she would be willing to sing for their team in New York. Over a conference call via speaker phone, she auditioned and eventually accepted their representation. Over the next two years, Susan-Leigh continued to perform. She released a mini acoustic CD, self-titled Susan-Leigh and a fully produced 7 song CD titled Seven. In 2002, Susan-Leigh was a top 20 finalist in Jewel’s Soul City Café song writer’s competition.

In February 2003, Susan-Leigh and Michael married. In September of that year, Susan-Leigh contracted the West Nile Virus and Meningitis and after year-long recovery, the couple made the choice to move back to the panhandle to be closer to family and to start one of their own. Though Susan-Leigh laid down her plans of pursuing a music career, she found a renew relationship with Christ and a new adventure was on its way! In 2005, she welcomed her beautiful daughter Georgia into the world and settled into being a stay-at-home mom. But her passion for music still needed an outlet, so she created a pre-school music enrichment program and from 2005-2009, traveled to local pre-schools, Georgia in tow, to teach the love of music to little ones. In 2010, Susan-Leigh receive a CDA and began teaching at Saint Paul’s in Gulf Breeze, Florida for the next two school years. After much request and prayer, Susan-Leigh decided to begin a small private Christian school in 2013. Learning with Grace was created as a way to share Christ with students as they grown academically. It is currently in its eight year. Susan-Leigh has found a calling to work with young children and youth and is so excited to be a part of a program where she can marry her passion of teaching with the arts.

Tina, born and raised in Pensacola, has had a passion for music and theatre from an early age. She sang and studied voice privately throughout high school and college. A graduate of Escambia High School and The University of West Florida, Tina currently performs with Cliff Krut around Pensacola and the surrounding area on weekends and is an active member of the choir and praise team at Hillcrest Baptist Church. She is a member of The National Organization of Teachers of Singing and the Florida Music Educators Association.

Some of Tina’s favorite roles include Annie in “Annie”, Kim in “Bye Bye Birdie,” Esther in “Meet Me in St. Louis,” and Delores in “Babes In Arms.” She has sung all over the East Coast and won numerous vocal awards and competitions during her high school and college years, which led her to pursue a degree in Vocal Performance.

This is Tina’s ninth year at LaBelle, where she enjoys pouring her knowledge and passion for music into her students. She finds great joy in sharing her expertise and fostering a love for music in the next generation.

Debi acquired a passion for music by the age of 11.  She began her training at the Newkirk School of Music and studied under Harry and Nancy Newkirk.  She studied piano, theory, organ and voice.   Her passion quickly turned to piano.  At the early age of 16, she began serving as organist/pianist/accompanist for local churches.

As a teenager, Debi became involved in many local musical activities and consistently participated through the years in school, church and community musical events as an accompanist.  She has accompanied numerous pageants, musicals, choirs, special large or small group ensembles, soloists, recitals, private parties, community events, church services, funerals, and weddings.  For a number of years, Debi has continued to faithfully serve as pianist and accompanist for churches in the local area and enjoys directing and/or performing with various ensembles.  She has directed children’s musicals, as well as coordinated and/or taught graded children’s choirs, hand bells, and keyboard classes.  She attended Pensacola Junior College and Troy State University, and spent her career in the business world.   Throughout, she stayed involved musically and continued to share her passion for music and God given musical talent.

Debi comes to LPA from the Hillcrest School of Music.  She firmly believes that musical training can provide students with extraordinary skills and self-confidence.  Debi’s goal is to help each individual student develop personal skills through hard work and self-discipline, which will encourage musical interpretation and expression while developing a passion for music that lasts a lifetime.  Exceptional musical skills and self-discipline can provide students with years of personal enjoyment and fulfillment.

Debi and her husband Justin enjoy their family time with sons (Nick, Eric, Chris, Brian and Rick), 4 daughter-in-laws, and 12 grandchildren.

Debi can be reached at debi@labelleperformingarts.com.

Jason picked up the guitar at a young age and was taught by his father, playing mostly 70s, 80s, and 90s rock.  During high school he decided he wanted to pursue a degree in music.  Immediately following high school Jason started and completed his Associate of Arts degree in Music Performance at then PJC, studying classical guitar.  He continued on to UWF to earn his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Performance, graduating summa cum laude.

During college, Jason studied under guitar instructor Dr. Joe Stallings.  Jason also played as first chair for 5 years in the Pensacola Guitar Ensemble directed by Dr. Stallings.  Jason has had years of teaching experience throughout college and post graduation.   He can teach classical finger-picking style, steel string, or electric.

Amelia Velasco is a local violist who has been teaching violin, viola, and cello since 2012. She graduated from the University of West Florida and received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance.  She was a member of the Runge Strings Chamber Orchestra at UWF and studied under Dr. Leonid Yanovskiy who is head of the String Program at UWF and concertmaster of the Pensacola Strings Orchestra (PSO) and North West Florida Strings Orchestra (NWFSO).  She enjoys teaching and works very well with children and adults alike; her students have excelled in their school and county orchestras.

Along with playing music, Amelia also enjoys painting, reading and playing video games.  She has three pets, a cat named Minerva and two rats named Effie and Cinna.

Mrs. Alderman received her B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Florida in 1995.  After working for six years as a semiconductor technology analyst for the federal government in Washington, DC, her family decided to relocate to Pensacola to be closer to their families.  After two years of federal contracting work in Pensacola, she decided to become a stay-at-home parent.

Mrs. Alderman has been LPA’s accounts manager since 2009.   Please do not hesitate to contact her with any questions regarding your account.  The best way to contact her is via the email listed below.

Mrs. Alderman has also been actively involved in theatre since High School.  During college she was also involved in several productions at the Gainesville Community Playhouse, the oldest community theatre in Florida.  Productions include:  Oliver!, Mame, Arms and the Man, and Starting Here, Starting Now.  She particularly enjoys the technical aspects of mounting a production and has been LPA’s Production and Showcase Stage Manager since the studio opened.

Caroline can be reached at caroline@labelleperformingarts.com.

Mr. Brian is Co-Owner of LaBelle Performing Arts with his wife Mrs. Jeannie. He is responsible for payroll, account management, building and lawn maintenance, and taking care of Mrs. Jeannie.

Mr. Brian received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering Technology from the University of West Florida in 2000. He has worked for the Department Of Navy as a Civilian for over 23 years in the IT field. Mr. Brian is a lifelong Pensacola native.

Please do not hesitate to contact him with any questions. The best way to contact him is via the email listed below.

Brian can be reached at brian@labelleperformingarts.com.

Kristy was born and raised in Los Angeles County, California, where she began her professional path wearing many hats for a newly formed marketing company. Life in California was both really fast and incredibly expensive! In 1993, she decided to set new roots in the panhandle of Florida where she soon met her future husband who was an active-duty member in the Air Force. Two years later, she and Bill were blissfully married and she began her education and career in finance. She became a branch manager of a local bank and earned her licensing in life insurance, securities, and a notary commission for the state of Florida.

Having a full-time parent at home was very important to Kristy and Bill, so she gave up her employment to realize her dream of being a mom. Their daughter, Jillian, was born in 2002 and became Kristy and Bill’s whole world. Jillian was a very active toddler who was constantly dancing to every sound she could hear, so dance classes were a natural fit at three years old. This is when Kristy became a dance mom newbie.

Being a military family, the McLaren’s found themselves PCSing to Mildenhall, England for four years. Travel became a priority while living there, so they took every opportunity to visit new places like Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, France, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and many places in between. Kristy felt it would be a missed opportunity for Jillian to not get the full experience of living a life abroad, so she and Bill enrolled Jillian in British school where she began a wonderful education. Kristy filled her time being elected as the chair of what Americans call the PTA for the tiny school of Beck Row Primary. She planned many fundraisers and community events to benefit the school and students. She also ran Jillian’s Girl Scout troop when the original leader moved back to the states. Dance remained the familiar constant for both Jillian and Kristy while they were overseas, so the training continued with a British flair.

When Bill reached his 23^rd year of active-duty military service, the McLaren’s had their final move back to the panhandle of Florida where they settled in Navarre. Kristy provided Jillian’s home education from 7^th to 12^th grade which allowed time for dance team travel and extra dance training. Since Jillian had decided that she wanted a career as a professional dancer, Kristy sought out the best studio in the panhandle to continue her training and opportunities. Kristy and Jillian joined the LaBelle Performing Arts family in 2016 and have loved the many opportunities offered through the dance company, ballet company and recreational programs. Now a retired dance mom pro after Jillian’s graduation, Kristy is back to wearing many hats and sharing her own talents of service to the rest of her LaBelle family.

Kristy can be reached at frontdesk@labelleperformingarts.com.