
Faculty
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Faculty *
Owner/ Artistic Director
Macalah Leger
Macalah Leger began her dance training at The Conservatory of Ballet Aviv (COBA) in Mandeville, LA. She was a member of their Ballet company for 7 years. As a company member, Macalah auditioned and was cast in COBA’s production of “The Nutcracker”. She performed a variety of roles for 2 years and then on her 3rd year she was given the honor of dancing the lead role of Clara. During her time at COBA, Macalah was also privileged to dance in the opening act for Ballet Magnificat! of Jackson, MS.
Macalah then continued her dance education at Northshore Academy of Dance (NAD) in Covington, LA, where she was a member of their pro competition team. This allowed her to train under some of the most sought out choreographers in the country. During her time at NAD, she performed the lead role in a ballet variation from “Sleeping Beauty” with the Greater New Orleans Youth Symphony. She also auditioned for the Joffrey Ballet and was accepted on partial scholarship into their trainee programs, not only within the U.S., but also in both Russia and Italy.
Macalah’s time at NAD led her to her first professional job as a dancer. She was hired to perform the lead female role in the Arabian variation for Ballet Hysell’s production of “The Nutcracker”.
Upon graduating high school, Macalah began teaching for NAD while she attended the University of Southern Mississippi for two years. She continued her dance education while in school by taking classes with the dance department on campus. During this time, a once in a lifetime opportunity came up - Macalah auditioned and advanced past the first several rounds of Fox television’s “So You Think You Can Dance” season 11.
Macalah decided to transfer to Louisiana State University for the remainder of her undergraduate career to audition for the LSU Golden Girls. She was selected as 1 of 18 members for her final 3 years of college.
Upon graduating from LSU with a B.S. in Child and Family Studies, Macalah decided she wasn’t ready to give up dancing just yet. She auditioned for the Radio City Rockettes summer intensive and was accepted into their week long program, where she trained under the Rockettes themselves. The intensive ended in a performance for the Rockettes director, choreographer, and production crew, as well as friends and family in New York City. Macalah decided to continue training both in NYC and virtually from Louisiana with Rhonda Malkin (former Radio City Rockette) in hopes of fulfilling her dream. This led to many classes, intensives, and Rockette auditions… This is one of Macalah’s most proud accomplishments to this date.
Aside from dance, Macalah has spent the last 4 years as the studio manager and a fitness (Pilates & HIIT) instructor at Evolve Studio in Baton Rouge, LA. During her time at Evolve, she was given the opportunity to train the LSU Golden Girls to help them stay in peak physical condition during their physically demanding season.
Macalah is currently the coach of the Live Oak High School Eaglettes dance team and has been for the past 5 years.
In May of 2022, Macalah married the love of her life and in March of 2023, they welcomed their beautiful daughter, Ryen into the world. Macalah also has two beautiful bonus daughters, Adalynn & Ava.
“I am incredibly blessed to be given the opportunity to continue doing what I am passionate about in a community I have grown to love so much over the past 5 years. Thank you to everyone who has believed in me and helped me turn this dream into a reality. When you step into the doors of LA Dance Space, you become family and I cannot wait to welcome you into mine! I am eager to kick off year 1 with you, Watson, LA! I hope you’ll join me and there will be many years of growth, hard work, love, and passion to come!” -Macalah
OFFICE MANAGER
Vanessa Peterson
Vanessa Peterson is a wife and mama of three children: Jack, in college; Allie, a high school sophomore; and Kinsey, a fourth-grader. Before relocating to Watson two years ago, Vanessa opened and managed a Pilates studio in Texas.
Vanessa danced for her high school in Spring, TX for 4 years. “Go Klein Bearkadettes”. All 4 years she was a part of the team, they won the national championship title at UDA in Orlando, Fl. The team specialized in Kick, Pom, Jazz, and military style. Growing up, Vanessa trained primarily in Ballet and Jazz. Her oldest daughter has been dancing since she was 2 and has always been very involved with her dance journey. Vanessa loves the art of dance and the emotion it can express.
LA Dance Space is blessed to have Vanessa as a part of the team and we are grateful for the expertise that she brings.
INSTRUCTOR
Giana Budde
Giana Budde started her dance career at Dance & Co. in Watson, Louisiana. She danced at the studio for 10 years before auditioning for the Live Oak Junior High Pizazz dance team her 8th grade year. Giana was awarded a spot on the team and participated in football season performances, as well as both regional and national competitions. Her team attended UDA nationals in Orlando, FL and ended up taking home 3rd place for their kick routine.
Upon entering high school, Giana decided to tryout for the nationally ranked Live Oak High School Eaglettes dance team. She is now a very proud 4 year letter of the dance team. As just a young sophomore, she was chosen to be Co-Captain for her team, and then went on to be Captain for both her junior and senior years.
In addition to dance team, Giana also trained hard in the studio. In fact, she was awarded the Sheri Womack Memorial Scholarship for her hard work and dedication after her first year back in a brand new studio.
Giana graduated from Live Oak High School in May of 2024. She will be furthering her education at Louisiana State University in the fall of 2024. She plans to enroll in the university’s Manship School to major in Mass Communications with the intention of becoming a Sports Broadcaster.
Giana enjoys sharing her love for dance with the students at LA Dance Space and can’t wait for an incredible year ahead!
We are so blessed to have Giana on faculty! Our students love the positivity, joy, and fun she brings to each class!
INSTRUCTOR
Emma Harris
Emma Harris found her love for dance at the young age of two years old and has been dancing and sharing this passion with her students ever since. Emma received her training from Cathy Kurth Dance Academy, where she was a member of their competitive Rhythym Pirates Dance Team for 5 years. In addition to studio dance, Emma was also a member of her high school dance team - The Sam Houston High School “Broncettes”. When Emma was 17 years old, she began assistant teaching and worked her way up as a main instructor for classes at her studio back home. Emma is currently a 1st grade ELA teacher at Lewis Vincent Elementary school. She also just completed her masters in Transformational Education at MSU.
Our students love Mrs. Emma and her kind, uplifting, and encouraging demeanor. We are so blessed to have her on the LADS team!
INSTRUCTOR
Madison Morrison
With 19 years of dance experience, Madison has had the privilege of training in various styles and techniques. Her competitive dance background spans 13 years at Katy Kress Dance Revolution.
Currently, she is a proud member of the LSU Golden Girls, returning for her third year and serving as the 2025 Assistant Choreographer.
In high school, Madison was a member of the Barbe Bluebelles and LA Dance Magic. She has also attended prestigious programs like the Joffrey School of Ballet's summer intensive, taken classes at the Houston MET, and attended numerous conventions.
Additionally, Madison has had the opportunity to travel to New York and take audition classes from PACE University's faculty. Through her extensive training, she has gained a deep understanding of various dance styles, and is excited to share her knowledge with all her students.
Ms. Madison does an amazing job challenging her students and encouraging them to reach their fullest potential. She brings a wealth of knowledge and we are so blessed to have her on our team of instructors!
INSTRUCTOR
Karaline Wells
Karaline began her dance career at the age of 2 . She trained at Phyllis Guy Dance Center for 17 years, while also competing on the competition team for 4 years.
She was a 3 year member of Live Oak Middle School dance team, where during her 8th grade year, the team placed 2nd in the nation for their kick routine. Karaline was also a 3 year member of the Live Oak High School Eaglettes Dance Team, receiving “Eaglette of the Year” her senior year.
Karaline also had the honor of dancing in a music video for Caly Pearse “One You Won’t Forget”.
Karaline just graduated this Spring from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a degree in Public Relations. Karaline is excited to join the LA Dance Space faculty and share her love for dance with her students.
Ms. Karaline is kind, encouraging, and motivates her students to reach their fullest potential! She is adored by everyone here at LA Dance Space and we are so blessed to have her on our team!
INSTRUCTOR
Kendall Ziegler
Kendall Ziegler started dancing when she was 2 years old and has been dancing for the past 15 years. She was a part of the Live Oak Junior High Pizazz dance team her 8th grade year and was named Co-Captain. Entering her freshman year of high school, she auditioned for the nationally ranked Live Oak High School Eaglettes dance team. At the conclusion of her freshman year, Kendall’s hard work and dedication earned her the “Eaglette of the Year” award. Her sophomore year she received the “Resilience” award and her junior year, she was named Lieutenant and was also chosen by the program’s sponsors to receive the “Sponsor’s Award”. She had the honor of being chosen as a Captain her senior year.
In addition to dance team, Kendall also trained hard in the studio. She was a part of “The Company” at LA Dance Space during her senior year, which gave her the opportunity to train under some of the most sought out choreographers in the country during convention classes. During her time on “The Company”, she was awarded an audition shoutout award at West Coast Dance Explosion and was also awarded a Tap scholarship at Dupree.
Kendall was a part of the LA Dance Space team as a class assistant during both her junior and senior year and is very excited to begin teaching in this Fall. Kendall is currently attending Louisiana State University where she is a major in Pre-Dental Hygiene.
Kendall has a passion not only for dance, but for using her gifts to honor the Lord.
Ms. Kendall is loved and adored by all of her students and we cannot wait to see her share her knowledge with some of our younger dancers this year. We are so thankful to have Kendall joining our team!