Sydney Adams began her dance studies at the Santa Rosa Ballet School under the direction of Julian Herrin (SFB).  She continued her studies at the San Francisco Ballet School and San Francisco Dance Theater, where she became a company member and teacher at age 17.  She relocated to New York City in 1980 where she studied with David Howard and his associates Diana Cartier, Douglas Wassell and Nancy Bielski.  During her years as a full scholarship student with Mr. Howard, she danced with Diane Coburn Bruning (Manhattan Chamber Ballet) as she created new choreographic works.  In addition, she was a principal dancer and ballet mistress for former Joffrey Ballet dancer Darrell Barnett in the creation of his ballet project in NYC.  Sydney performed with Garden State Ballet in their Nutcracker and relocated to Richmond, VA as one of the first professional dancers with the Richmond Ballet.

Upon her return to NYC, she worked as a personal assistant to Jerome Robbins, managing his personal and professional business, the Jerome Robbins Foundation, choreographic licensing of his ballets  and theater works, and the reconstruction project Jerome Robbins’ Broadway.

Relocating to New Orleans to raise three children and later to Mobile, AL, Sydney has worked for 17 years in the Mobile dance community.  For 13 years she taught Ballet at Spring Hill College, and as the only dance professional produced full length evenings of her choreography as well as working in collaborative projects with the theater department.  In addition, she has choreographed a ballet for Parapluie Dance Company and Mobile Ballet’s Company Showcase performance.  She has contributed choreography to the This is Christmas Program, Junior Miss talent winners and college audition pieces for her students.

In addition to teaching at LPA, Sydney is a senior teacher at Mobile Ballet where she has taught for 17 years.  Her students have been accepted into professional companies including NYCB, colleges, such as SMU and FSU, and prestigious summer programs including San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, School of American Ballet, Chautaqua and Miami City Ballet.  Sydney is also a faculty member at Broadway South, teaches Home School Ballet classes and coaches dancers privately.

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

Sydney can be reached at sydney@labelleperformingarts.com.

Corrin Beasley’s love of dance began when she was 2 years old.  She has trained as a dancer for 17 years and continues to spread her passion with others.

Corrin has been part of the LaBelle Performing Arts Company since 2007.  She has earned numerous scholarships from dance conventions: Jump, Dance League, Radix, Tremaine, and Art of Movement.  She was also awarded a scholarship for the Pre-Professional Training with the Joffrey Ballet.  Corrin has also earned 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 Rockette Summer Intensive in 2018.  She plans to audition for Radio City Rockettes in New York City in 2019.

Corrin has been an assistant instructor for Dance League Convention and Touring Company for 4 years, as well as assisting with classes at LaBelle.

Corrin is currently attending the University Of West Florida on a Merit Scholarship, and plans to complete her degree in pediatric dentistry.

Corrin can be reached at corrin@labelleperformingarts.com.

Bailey can be reached at bailey@labelleperformingarts.com.

Caeley has been dancing for 16 years and was an original LPA cast member.  She was part of the LPA Company for 9 years. Caeley has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, and some Ballroom.  As a student, Caeley had several featured character roles in LPA productions.  She was Little Alice in “Through the Looking Glass,” Lilly in the second cast of the “Enchanted Wardrobe,” and the title role in “Cinderella.”  In 2017, she was one of the Seville Square Thriller Dancers.

Caeley was an assistant teacher for 5 years.  This is her second year as a teacher at LPA.

Caeley will be earning her degree in Exercise Science from UWF in May 2018.

Caeley can be reached at caeleyrae@gmail.com.

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.

Leslie can be reached at lesliekpeck@aol.com.

With over 17 years of dedication and training, Isabela is a passionate dancer turned teacher. Her choreography is known for being unique and quirky with a huge emphasis on musicality and intricacy of movement. She specializes mostly in contemporary and musical theater but can teach or choreograph all styles. As a competitive dancer for 12 years, she won many scholarships, national and regional titles, cash prizes and other awards. Much of her teaching experience has been gained by touring the country as an assistant for conventions and taking classes with several of today’s top choreographers and dancers. These include Desiree Robbins, Marguerite Derricks, Mandy Moore and Brian Friedman, to name a few.

Additional notable credits as a dancer include:

– “New Face: The Dream” Showcase sponsored by Make a Wish Foundation. – Annie Jr., production on Carnival Cruise Line (The Holiday).
– Backup Dancer for the Imagination Movers in Concert.
– National Teen Dance Magic (2009 & 2010)
– National Miss Dance Magic (2011 & 2012)
– Audition Finalist Competing with The Outlawz on America’s Best Dance Crew
– Company Member of  iHollywood Dance Convention

Notable credits as an instructor and choreographer:

– Assistant Teacher for Dance League USA Convention
– Assistant Teacher for Katee Shean, Desiree Robbins, Moises Parra, Mikey Trasoras, and Melody Lacayanga
– Choreographer and Teacher for the Pensacola Little Theater’s “Musical Masters” class and shows
– Master class Instructor in musical movement at Pensacola Little Theater
– LPA’s Glee Club Choreographer
– Award winning choreographer for LPAC since 2012
– Master Teacher and Judge for Talent Explosion Competition
– Master Teacher and Choreographer for Studio One Competition Company

Isabela loves dance because it allows you to “see” music. You can feel emotions that can only be expressed through movement and energy, and share them with the audience. There is nothing like touching the heart of someone in the crowd and making them laugh or smile or cry or want to tap their feet. She also has a passion and talent for acting, and co-directs the Red Carpet Actors Society with her mother, Sandi Palag.

Isabela can be reached at sandyeddiez@bellsouth.net.

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.

Samantha can be reached at samantha9293@gmail.com.

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.

Amanda can be reached at aman08dancer@hotmail.com.

Lexxie Sulzbach was born and raised locally in Pace, Florida, where she discovered her love of dance at 5 years old with her first ballet and jazz classes. Within the next few years she had broadened her training to include tap, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, tumbling, and other styles of dance. Lexxie grew up competing with LaBelle Performing Arts’ competition team, which gave her the opportunity to train at dance conventions such as Jump, NUVO, Dance League, Art of Movement, NRG, and others where she was given the opportunity to take class from some of the biggest names in the commercial dance industry.

In addition to competing and going to conventions, Lexxie had also spent her summers training at ballet summer intensives such as Boca Ballet Theatre, Nashville Ballet, Joffrey Ballet NYC, and American Ballet Theatre’s Collegiate Summer Intensive. These programs allowed her to train under prominent ballet figures such as Victoria Morgan, Adam Sklute, Devon Carney, Dan Guin, Jane Tyree, and Maniya Barredo to name only a few.

Lexxie also participates in Pensacola Youth Ballet where she has performed various Corps de Ballet roles as well as Soloist roles in their productions including Spanish Soloist and Masquerade Doll in The Nutcracker, Gamzatti Variation, and other original works. She continues performing with Pensacola Youth Ballet as well as a professional adult performance group called Rise Up Dance Crew. Rise Up Dance Crew has performed at many local events such as Pensacola Opera’s “Operazzi España”, Gallery Night, The Greater Gulf Coast Arts Festival, among others. They are most known for their rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, performed each October in Seville Quarter, and in other locations such as The Park at OWA in Foley, Alabama.

Although most of her years training were spent reaching toward a professional performance career, through assisting and teaching classes at LaBelle, she has discovered a deep love for teaching and has made the decision to pursue a career as a professional dance instructor at her home studio of LaBelle Performing Arts. It was not an easy decision, however, she’s proud to say that she feels it is the path God had set out for her all along. She is very excited to pass on her knowledge to the younger generations of Pensacola dancers.

Lexxie can be reached at alexis.sulzbach@aol.com.

Candace can be reached at Misscandaceelise@gmail.com.

Some of Mikey’s choreography credits include the sizzle reel for Hawaiian Style, Sarah Jaffe’s music video “Glorified High.”  Ivivva Athletica YouTube video promotions.  Radio Disney’s “Next Big Thing” Season 5 kickoff in Hollywood, and for Texas’ premier collegiate dance team The Apache Belles.  Mikey’s students have appeared on “So You Think You Can Dance”, “Abby Lee’s Ultimate Dance Competition”, “X-Factor”, The Grammy’s, “Glee”, and “Dancing with the Stars”, just to name a few.

Like his freestyle dancing, Mikey’s choreography is intricate and stylistically innovative.  His keen musical ear and captivating artistic expression of lyrics elevate Mikey as a Hip Hop artist.  Mikey is passionate about teaching and enjoys touring the country.  He teaches all levels and expects is students to learn something new each session and you’ll find his youthful playfulness makes his classes lighthearted and fun.

Mikey can be reached at fadunker6@aol.com

Michael Wardlaw has maintained a distinguished career as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer.

A graduate of The North Carolina School of the Arts, Mr. Wardlaw also trained at the prestigious Kirov Academy and the Pennsylvania Ballet on a merit scholarship. He joined the Cincinnati Ballet in 1995, where he served as Senior Soloist for the company for eleven years. Prior to joining Cincinnati Ballet, Mr. Wardlaw was a Soloist for the Tulsa Ballet Theatre and Albany-Berkshire Ballet.

During his fifteen-year performance career, Michael Wardlaw made numerous guest principal appearances throughout the world including international tours to Germany, France, Scotland, Portugal, Alaska, and Venezuela. He has also performed at the Vail International Dance Festival, the Spoleto Festival, the Fringe Festival in Scotland, and has appeared with Ballet Contemporano de Caracas, Mobile Ballet and Boca Ballet Theatre. His work as a performing artist has been reviewed in Dance Magazine, Pointe Magazine, and online at Criticaldance.com.

Now a highly sought-after educator, Mr. Wardlaw is the former school director for Northwest Florida Ballet’s Pensacola location. He has also taught on the resident faculty of the Cincinnati University Conservatory of Music, Ballet Tech of Ohio, and as an adjunct faculty member at the University of West Florida. Additionally, he has instructed and/or coached many scholarship winners and competition finalists. Mr. Wardlaw has taught master classes for the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Burklyn Ballet Theatre, Columbia Ballet School, Charleston Ballet, Carolina Ballet, Encore Talent Competitions, Harid Conservatory, and Mobile Ballet.

Currently, Mr. Wardlaw directs the ballet program at LaBelle Performing Arts and works independently in the media arts in photography and video production.

Michael can be reached at michael@labelleperformingarts.com.

Mrs. Wardlaw currently teaches “Heels” class for LaBelle. She loves incorporating jazz, musical theatre, and kick line styles in her class. This year, she will be coordinating a pick up company show called “Love and Love Lost”, expressing pieces of love and losing love. The show will also be a launching pad for her organization called “United Love,” a community-wide initiative for helping gather resources to meet the needs of various people and groups in Pensacola.

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.

Michelle can be reached at mswpink@gmail.com.

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.”

Brandi can be reached at brandi@labelleperformingarts.com.

Tina was born and raised in Pensacola. She started doing theatre at an early age. Tina sang and studied voice privately throughout high school and college.

Tina can be reached at tina@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.

Jason can be reached at jason@labelleperformingarts.com.

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 Tyler, and two rats names Effie and Cinna.

Amelia can be reached at amelia@labelleperformingarts.com .

Sandi has been in and around theatre and ballet for over 20 years.  She spent several of them as the General Manager and PR consultant for the Dallas Repertoire Studios and most recently worked with Pensacola Little Theatre.  Sandi has developed her talents as a playwright and play adapter as part of the education department at Pensacola Little Theatre and has written and directed over 25 plays.

Currently, Sandi works as part of a production crew for the independent series Victors and as an acting coach with local elementary schools to bring the opportunity of the arts to all children.  She also provides private coaching.

Sandi can be reached at sandi@labelleperformingarts.com.

For questions regarding the Red Carpet Actors Society please email  theofficialrcas@gmail.com.

With over 17 years of dedication and training, Isabela is a passionate dancer turned teacher. Her choreography is known for being unique and quirky with a huge emphasis on musicality and intricacy of movement. She specializes mostly in contemporary and musical theater but can teach or choreograph all styles. As a competitive dancer for 12 years, she won many scholarships, national and regional titles, cash prizes and other awards. Much of her teaching experience has been gained by touring the country as an assistant for conventions and taking classes with several of today’s top choreographers and dancers. These include Desiree Robbins, Marguerite Derricks, Mandy Moore and Brian Friedman, to name a few.

Additional notable credits as a dancer include:

– “New Face: The Dream” Showcase sponsored by Make a Wish Foundation. – Annie Jr., production on Carnival Cruise Line (The Holiday).
– Backup Dancer for the Imagination Movers in Concert.
– National Teen Dance Magic (2009 & 2010)
– National Miss Dance Magic (2011 & 2012)
– Audition Finalist Competing with The Outlawz on America’s Best Dance Crew
– Company Member of  iHollywood Dance Convention

Notable credits as an instructor and choreographer:

– Assistant Teacher for Dance League USA Convention
– Assistant Teacher for Katee Shean, Desiree Robbins, Moises Parra, Mikey Trasoras, and Melody Lacayanga
– Choreographer and Teacher for the Pensacola Little Theater’s “Musical Masters” class and shows
– Master class Instructor in musical movement at Pensacola Little Theater
– LPA’s Glee Club Choreographer
– Award winning choreographer for LPAC since 2012
– Master Teacher and Judge for Talent Explosion Competition
– Master Teacher and Choreographer for Studio One Competition Company

Isabela loves dance because it allows you to “see” music. You can feel emotions that can only be expressed through movement and energy, and share them with the audience. There is nothing like touching the heart of someone in the crowd and making them laugh or smile or cry or want to tap their feet. She also has a passion and talent for acting, and co-directs the Red Carpet Actors Society with her mother, Sandi Palag.

Isabela can be reached at sandyeddiez@bellsouth.net.

Ashley graduated from Pensacola Junior College with a degree in Multimedia Technology. At PJC, he studied graphic design, digital photography, and web design.

Ashley has been drawing his whole life and has won several awards for his watercolor and oil pastel artwork. He has also worked as a graphic designer and airbrush artist.

In 2009, Ashley started volunteering to help with props for LPA’s production of Through the Looking Glass and LPA’s Showcase. The following year, Ashley began teaching Visual Arts and Prop Design at LaBelle. Since then, he has worked with his students and volunteers to create many memorable sets for LaBelle’s competitions and productions.

Ashley has a great passion for the arts and is happy to have the opportunity to share that passion with others.

To see samples of Ashley’s work, you can go to https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ashley-Brigham/1402690893301886?ref_type=bookmark

To see some work by LPA’s students, check out the LaBelle Performing Arts Art Department Page: https://www.facebook.com/LaBellePerformingArtsArtDept?ref_type=bookmark

Ashley can be reached at ashley@labelleperformingarts.com .

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 Federal Government for over 13 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.

Emily Wright has been with LaBelle Performing Arts since its birth. She took a break from dancing and competing with LaBelle to pursue a theatre degree at the University of West Florida. There she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Technical Theatre and designed plays and musicals during her college career. She designed the sound for On The Verge, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, and Romeo and Juliet. Emily is excited to be back in her home studio helping it to grow as it moves forward.

Emily can be reached at frontdesk@labelleperformingarts.com.