Kristen Jeanes-Moody • Owner/Artistic Director
Since opening her Metairie studio’s doors in 2002, Kristen has consistently afforded students with opportunities to expand and refine their dance experiences by retaining a variety of professional dancers and choreographers who have trained and performed all over the globe. Such choreographers’ specialties range from advanced ballet to hip hop, and every imaginable dance style in between.
In 2012, Kristen decided the time was right to finally fulfill the lack of dance education in Lakeview, New Orleans as a result of Hurricane Katrina. She therefore expanded her Dancer’s Pointe family by opening a second studio in the area. This studio has thrived since its opening and continues to grow and develop every year.
Kristen’s personal dance education extends not only to all traditional disciplines, but also includes the West Coast Swing. She and her husband, Shawn, have instructed both children and adults in this iconic style for over fifteen years. As partners, they have competed extensively in an effort to contribute to the genre’s renewed and ever-increasing popularity among all age groups.
Kristen does not rely solely on her dance experience when operating her two studios. Her background in education also allows her to persevere. Kristen received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of New Orleans in 2002. Such an education provides her with an undeniable ability to both motivate and communicate effectively with children of all ages.
The atmosphere cultivated by Kristen as a result of her education and experience gained over sixteen years as Director of Dancer’s Pointe is one of exceptional technique and unprecedented choreography. Of equal importance to her and the Dancer’s Pointe instructors is fostering comradery, developing confidence and illustrating impartiality within and among the students.
Shawn Moody • Ballroom/Swing Instructor
Harmony Acain • Instructor
Harmony Acain’s extensive ballet, jazz and lyrical background of 38 years includes an impressive array of contacts that compliment her qualifications. Her studies have led her to New York’s “Broadway Dance Center” and, while living in Los Angeles, to the “Edge Performing Arts Center.” Harmony has appeared in televised commercials for Burger King and Soundtrack Audio, performed in industrial shows for major media establishments and has performed at the “Alpha Awards.” Harmony’s fast paced, award-winning choreography is greatly sought after. She has been on the Dancer’s Pointe staff for the past 14 years and works closely with the competition team.
Stephani Kammer • Hip Hip/Contemporary Jazz Instructor
Stephani Kammer is excited to enter her twelfth season with DP and resides in New Orleans as a professional instructor and choreographer. After earning her Bachelor of Performing Arts degree from Oklahoma City University Stephani began her professional career in New York appearing in regional theaters, industrials, and prime time television. Upon relocating to Los Angeles Stephani performed alongside many famous recording artists such as Gwen Stefani and Jay Z, but most notably Janet Jackson. She has appeared in several videos and TV performances with Ms. Jackson and served as Assistant Creative Director to Gil Duldulao on Janet’s Rock Witch U world tour. Stephani has been an Associate Choreographer for the Miss USA & Universe pageants for the last five years including the most recent 2012 Miss USA pageant in Las Vegas. Stephani is very active in the professional dance industry and had the honor of performing in the Michael Jackson tribute on the MTV Video Music Awards after his passing. In recent years she has been inducted into The Cambridge Who’s Who Among Executive & Professional Women for her many years of hard work and dedication to the arts. Stephani has taught internationally in Tokyo, Japan at Broadway Dance Center and traveled to over 65 countries educating and inspiring dancers all over the globe.
Denise Oustalet • Ballet Instructor
Received critical acclaim as a dancer, choreographer and master teacher. She performed as a principal dancer with Delta Ballet, Santa Fe Opera, Palm Beach Opera and Dallas Ballet. She was recognized by: the National Foundation for the Advancement for the Arts, Louisiana State Arts Council, NOCCA “Distinguished Mentor” and Gambit’s “Big Easy Award” – Best Choreographer. She received her BA degree in Elementary Education and was the architect and director of NOCCA’s dance department for 25 years. She has been a consultant for performing and creative arts schools in the USA and Canada. Her expertise includes: classical ballet, pointe, flamenco, modern and jazz dance. Her students dance professionally with the Atlanta Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Alvin Ailey, David Parsons as well as on Broadway and international touring companies.
Amanda Frischhertz • Instructor
Amanda is thrilled to be joining the Dancer’s Pointe faculty for a sixth season! She recently graduated from Louisiana State University receiving a BS in Business Administration with a minor in Psychology. Amanda has extensive training in ballet, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, and hip hop and served as a member of DP’s award winning competition team for four years where she won the Elite Dancer award from West Coast Dance Explosion.
Her professional dance experience thus far includes backup dancing for Nelly and Florida Georgia Line, dancing in the 2014 and 2015 Miss USA pageants, performing with Beyoncé in the Super Bowl XLVII Halftime Show, and appearing in numerous music videos for local New Orleans artists. Over the past three years she has also choreographed award winning competition pieces for middle and high school dance teams in the New Orleans area and is currently the coach for the St. Francis Xavier Star Steppers. Amanda has found a great passion in the art of teaching dance and choreographing. She loves to inspire young dancers and share her passion for this art with others!
Tes Savoie • Instructor
Tes Savoie began dancing at age 2 and has danced for over 30 years; working as an assistant teacher through high school and college. She holds associate’s degrees in Early Childhood Education and Culinary Arts. She is also a pre-k/k teacher at Kenner Discovery and owns a baking business. This will be her 11th year as a mother of two at Dancer’s Pointe and her seventh year as an instructor. She is looking forward to another wonderful year!
Ashton Turberville • Instructor
Ashton Turberville is beginning her second season with Dancer’s Pointe. She began her Dance career at age 3 at Melinda Leigh’s Performing Arts Center in Mobile, Alabama. From there, she attended the University of Southern Mississippi and attained a degree in Dance Performance & Choreography and Child Life Therapy. Throughout her 23 yearlong Dance career, Ashton has trained in an array of genres of Dance including, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, Hip Hop, African, Improvisation, Clogging and Ballroom. Her experience has taken her to multiple places throughout the U.S for performances and choreography. Ashton is excited to begin another successful season with the Dancer’s Pointe family.
Justine Protopapa• Instructor
Justine Protopapa teaches many styles of dance Contemporary, Ballet, Lyrical, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Acro and Tap. Justine was invited to join the Royal Ballet School in London at age nine. She was the recipient of full dance scholarships to study the art of dance with Joe Tremaine and Jackie Sleight. She has danced in multiple stage shows in the West End of London including ‘Sont et Lumiere’ and ‘The Sound of Music’. Justine won Young Choreographer of the Year – European Dance Awards at age eighteen. She has had the privilege of teaching at Millennium in LA, Edge and several dance conventions where she has consulted on correct teaching techniques to multi-level classes. Her students have gone on to dance as Principal dancers for The Grand Rapids Ballet. She also has former dancers in many theatre shows in the West End of London and has several dancers currently working on Broadway. Justine has had articles published in Dance Studio Life Magazine and is still an occasional contributor. Justine’s sole passion is instructing and aiding in the growth as well as confidence of young dancers. She thrives in an environment where she gets to help aspiring dancers expand their dance knowledge. Justine’s main emphasis is always correct technique, execution, and artistry. She believes every dancer is beautiful and has something special to offer.
Katie O’Leary • Instructor
Katie O’Leary began dancing at age 5 and began competitive dance at age 8. A native of New Orleans, Katie trained at Mari Milnar Dance Academy in various disciplines, including ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and musical theatre. She also served as a four year member of the Mount Carmel Academy Carmelettes and was captain and choreographer for the National Champion team. She graduated from Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS with a B.S. in Educational Psychology. She taught teen and elite jazz and lyrical and choreographed for the competition team Dancing Feet Studio in Starkville. Katie is a real estate agent and proud Dancers Pointe dance mom to her two tiny dancers, and is excited to begin her second year as part of the DP on staff!
Maya Gisclair
Maya Gisclair started dancing at age 2 at Gayle McDonald Dance Studio. At age 7, she began dancing competitively with Dari Pennino Dance Academy where she trained in styles including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Improvisation. Maya started with Dancer’s Pointe in 2014 to continue her dance education through high school while choreographing as captain of her high school cheerleading team. She has been teaching at DP since receiving her teaching certificate in 2019. Maya earned her B.S. in Psychology at the University of New Orleans and works as a Behavior Technician at an ABA clinic aside from teaching at the studio.
Beverly Bagby
Megan L’Hoste
Joy Seube – Instructor
Joy Seube has always possessed a love and involvement in physical fitness, health and wellness. She began dancing at the age of 2 and went on to major in Dance in college at the University of Southern Mississippi. Joy spent several years teaching and choreographing dance before she ultimately took a break to focus on raising her family. She is a Registered Nurse having worked at Ochsner main campus in Critical Care and Cardiac Cath lab units, as well as University Medical Center in the Cardiac Cath and Invasive labs. She has been taking Pilates classes since 2009 becoming certified in Pilates Mat 1 through Balanced Body in 2011. Earlier this year she re-certified for Pilates Core Mat 1&2 through Power Pilates. She is currently undergoing her apprenticeship in Power Pilates’ comprehensive program for certification to teach on the apparatus equipment utilizing the Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Barrels, Ped-o-Pull and Magic Circle. She anticipates being fully certified in all apparatus by this upcoming Spring!
Joy is currently an independent Pilates instructor offering private, semi-private and group mat classes to all levels. She is also teaching Barre workouts that utilize Pilates and Ballet techniques for a more upbeat and rigorous cardiovascular workout. Her schedule availability is accessible via the link provided below. Here you can view and book a class with her. Pricing for classes is currently discounted through the end of the year making now a great time to try your first class!! Class pricing will change and be reflected in the schedule beginning January 1st. She is currently teaching her classes out of the Dancer’s Pointe Lakeview studio!
https://booking.appointy.com/jrseube22
IG: joy_of_pilates
Blue Cervini
Blue Cervini, born and raised in New Orleans, began training in dance at the age of
seven. She grew up as a competitive dancer and received numerous awards and
titles at both regional and national levels. Upon high school graduation, Blue
continued touring the competition and convention circuit as a professional
instructor. Her professional performance career began shortly afterwards. Some of
Blue’s favorite credits include: U.S. National and International Tours of West Side
Story (Dance Captain, Jet Girl, u/s Anybodys & Shark Girls); CATS (Victoria – The
White Cat); Just Dance by Debbie Allen; The Nutcracker (Arabian Soloist); Arctic
Wars NYC (New Way Vogue Team Member representing the Legendary House of
Ninja); Lightwire Theater (Ensemble); Karma Entertainment; and Quixotic Fusion
(Guest Artist/ Contortionist). Film/TV credits include: MGM film 21 Jump Street and
ABC Studios TV pilot Astronaut Wives Club. Ranging from ballet to contortion and
musical theatre to vogue, her diverse talents and passions have taken her across
the U.S. and abroad. She has been thrilled to work at notable performance venues
such as The Pantages in Los Angeles, The Smith Center in Las Vegas, The
Oriental in Chicago, The Superdome in New Orleans, Teatro San Carlo in Italy,
Theatre 11 in Switzerland, Dresden Semperoper and Deutsches Theatre in
Germany, Victoria Theatre in Singapore, Israeli Opera House in Tel Aviv, and
Sadler’s Wells on London’s West End, to name a few. Blue also has a great passion
for teaching dance. She is grateful to have taught workshops and guest classes in
Europe, Asia, and North America. Her attention to technical detail and the joy of
sharing her experiences, all come together to allow Blue to successfully teach
and inspire dancers of all ages.
Heidi Malnar
Heidi Malnar is an Emmy Award and Big Easy Award winning dancer and choreographer from Chicago, where she performed with Chicago-based Jump Rhythm Jazz Project and Chicago Tap Theatre, and graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a BA in Dance as well. Heidi has been in New Orleans for the past nine years, and is currently on the dance faculty at New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, and is the founder of HeidiTAPS, a tap dance educational program for adults, teens and children in New Orleans. She is the Artistic Director of Gulf Coast Theatre on Tap– New Orleans’ Premier Rhythm Tap Company. Heidi has also choreographed many productions at The National WWII Museum’s BB’s Stage Door Canteen, Le Petit Theatre, See ‘Em Onstage Theatre Company and Rivertown Theatres. She is very excited to be joining the teaching team at Dancer’s Pointe!