Dance Dynamics is committed to bringing you the best staff possible. Our dedicated team of choreographers, instructors, and class assistants take pride in the work they do. Their passion for the art of dance and their strive for perfection enable us to provide your child with the best education available.

ABBIE ODOM Director/Instructor Abbie began dancing under Tina’s direction at the age of 5, and continued for over 20 years. She competed in power tumbling and was a member of the Carencro High Dazzlers and UL’s Ragin Jazz before taking a break from the arts to attend college in New Orleans, earning a bachelor’s degree in geology. Upon graduating in 2006, the door of opportunity opened for Abbie to study dance professionally in Las Vegas for a year. Following that, she returned home and began her career as a hydrogeologist. In 2009, she came back full circle to where her dance career began and purchased the studio, and has not looked back since. Her drive and determination have propelled Dance Dynamics forward into a highly respected and innovative force within the dance community.

TINA TOUPS Public Relations Shortly after graduating from high school, Tina left home and family to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a professional dancer. She moved to California and began studying under the tutelage of world renowned dancer and teacher, Joe Tremaine. After two years of hard work under Tremaine, Tina auditioned for Hanna Barbera and was hired. She traveled the world for six years with the dance troupe. In 1986, Tina made the decision to make her dream of owning her own business become a reality. She moved back home to south Louisiana and began Dance Dynamics. She’s been teaching dance for twenty years, but has never looked on it as work, but simply as a pursuit of her passion. Today she remains an integral part of Dance Dynamics and continues to help preserve the legacy and reputation she established.

KELSEY ANDERSON Office Manager/Instructor While a relative newcomer to Dance Dynamics, Kelsey is no newcomer to the dance world. She studied dance for 16 years at Vickie’s Dance Center in Alexandria, Louisiana and has 5 years competitive dance experience, 7 years class assistant experience and 2 years experience as an instructor. Kelsey was a Pineville Junior High cheerleader from 2004 to 2006, a Pineville High Rebelette in 2006 and 2007, and a Pineville High cheerleader from 2007 to 2008. She also has the distinction of having performed with the Red River Ballet Dance Company from 2003 to 2007. She has also choreographed for Pineville’s junior high dance line and pep squad and for the Louisiana Extreme All Star Cheerleaders. Kelsey is currently a Performing Arts major at UL with a minor in business. We welcome Kelsey on board at Dance Dynamics. She has been amazing in bringing new, innovative and creative ideas to the table and we can say without a doubt that her students love her!

MEGAN BEGNAUD Instructor Veteran dancer Megan Begnaud was a student of dance for 13 years, 4 of which she worked as a class assistant. She has been teaching for 4 years and has an eye for detail and technique that she instills in each of her students. During her school years, Megan was a member of the Dazzlers for 4 years. She was a part of the national competition team her sophomore and senior years, serving as lieutenant her senior year. She was also a Girl Scout from kindergarten all the way through to her senior year. Megan has earned many honors, including Student Ambassador with People to People in 2006 and Honor Graduate of Carencro High’s class of 2007. Megan is a fourth grade teacher at Live Oak Elementary, which enables her to understand and relate to her younger students on every level. She enjoys teaching children, she says “because of the challenge and accomplishment that comes from teaching. I am always so proud to see girls who walk into my class grow throughout the year and make big accomplishments in dance.”

STEPHANIE BROWN Instructor Stephanie comes to us with 12 years of dance experience and has been a dance instructor with Dance Dynamics for 5 years. During her school years, she was a cheerleader at Carencro Middle for 2 years and at Carencro High for 4 years. Following graduation from high school, Stephanie went on to UL where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1998. Furthering her education, Stephanie went to LSU and obtained a master’s in social work in 2001 and became a licensed clinical social worker in 2004. She is currently the Director of Social Services of the intensive outpatient program at a local psychiatric hospital, working mainly with geriatric patients. Stephanie also supervises other social workers who are working towards obtaining their licensing in their field.

MARY DUGAS Instructor Carencro native Mary Dugas has been involved with dance most her life. She graduated from a local dance studio in 1996 and has 17 years total dance experience. Fourteen of those years were as a class assistant, and she has spent one year teaching. Mary spent 4 years as a Carencro Dazzler and served as co-captain in her junior year. She attended the UDA national finals in Orlando, Florida her sophomore, junior and senior years. Mary was a competitive power tumbler for 5 years and from 1997 to 1998 was a “Gator Girl” for the Louisiana Ice Gators. In addition to teaching, Mary has managed a veterinary practice for 13 years. When asked about her work as a teacher and instructor with Dance Dynamics, Mary says “I have really enjoyed being able to watch these children grow all these years as dancers and people ... including my 10 year old daughter! It has been a joy!”

MEGHAN POST Instructor Meghan began her dance training in Lutcher, Louisiana at Yvonne’s Directions where she was a company member for five years, and at Images Dance Studio in Destrehan, Louisiana where she performed as a company member in numerous roles including the autumn fairy in Cinderella and the flower fairy in The Nutcracker. She was awarded the prestigious JR Philharmonic Award after her performance of the Kitri Variation from the ballet, “Don Quixote”. Meghan came to UL majoring in the performing arts and studied in the program for two years before an injury prohibited her from continuing to perform. She is currently a sixth grade teacher at Family Life Christian Academy. Her teaching style can only be described as “fluid, graceful and poised.”

BLAYKE LANCLOS Instructor Blayke is a 17 year dance veteran. She has spent 6 of her years as a class assistant where she has been able to share her extensive dance experience. She was a performer in The Nutcracker for 3 years and a cheerleader on the Carencro High squad for 2 years. Blayke was on the prom committee and was chosen prom princess her junior year of high school. She was also a part of the youth ministry at St. Peter’s Catholic Church for 4 years. Blayke is a phlebotomist at Acadiana Family Physicians while remaining an integral part of the Dance Dynamics staff.

LESLIE SUIRE Instructor Leslie is a 16 year veteran of the dance studio. She has 4 years of experience as a dance instructor and spent 15 years competing in tumbling and gymnastics. In 2000, Leslie was a member of the USA National Elite Tumbling Team, traveling the world with the team. She was also a ULL cheerleader for one year while pursuing her degree in nursing. In addition to being an instructor here at Dance Dynamics, Leslie has worked at Womens’ and Childrens’ Hospital for the last eight years as an RN in the neonatal intensive care unit. Her daughter, Emma Suire, is following in her footsteps as a dancer with Dance Dynamics, as well as a very talented power tumbler.

TYLER WILSON Hip Hop Instructor Tyler began training 7 years ago in different styles of street dance, such as Hip-Hop, Bboying, House, and Funk, at studios in New York City such as Peridance, Steps on Broadway, PMT, Broadway Dance Center, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. He has performed at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York, for Hoctor Dance Company in Time Square, as a featured dancer in MTV's Cupid Shuffle Music Video, and as a featured extra/choreographer in Big Sky's Motion Picture "Spring Break 83." He has been performing for the past 5 years at the Louisiana Festival De International and is active in street dance competition through out the United States. Tyler is also a touring artist for the Young Audience Company (New Orleans Branch). Their group, Rhythm/Soul, travels to Louisiana schools and libraries performing their show "Think Positive.” We are very excited to welcome Tyler as the newest member of our staff in 2011-2012!