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

Photos

Macalah Leger attending the Radio City Rockettes Summer Intensive in New York City.

Macalah Leger, LSU Golden Girls 2018

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 is looking forward to sharing her love for dance with the students at LA Dance Space and can’t wait for an incredible year ahead!

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 is also seeking to obtain her masters in Transformational Education at MSU.

Mrs. Emma has a passion for sharing the art of dance with all of her students. We are looking forward to having her for another amazing year of dance!

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. LA Dance Space is blessed to have Vanessa as a part of the team and we are grateful for the expertise that she brings.

“With a background in dance, I am thrilled to be a part of this incredible studio and to contribute to its growth while helping others develop a passion for dance and self-confidence.” -Vanessa

EVENTS & MARKETING COORDINATOR

Jennifer Long

Jennifer is a mom of four children, ages 20, 17, and 13 year old twins. Jennifer has been in marketing for the past 4 years and also has 10 years of dance studio office management experience. Jennifer will be working as our events & marketing coordinator. She has a wealth of knowledge and we are blessed to have her joining our studio staff.

“I am beyond thrilled to be a part of the LA Dance Space family!” -Jennifer

CLASS ASSISTANT

Kendall Ziegler

Kendall Ziegler started dancing when she was 2 years old and has been dancing for the past 14 years. She auditioned for the Live Oak Junior High Pizazz dance team her 8th grade year and had the honor of being named Co-Captain the year that the team was awarded a Nationals White Jacket for their kick routine.

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 is currently entering into her senior year where she has been named as a Captain.

In addition to dance team, Kendall also has been training hard in the studio. At age 11, following her 9th year of dance she received the Sheri Womack Memorial Scholarship.

Kendall has a passion not only for dance, but for using her gifts to honor the Lord. She loves serving others and guiding them as they grow as dancers.

Kendall will be joining the LA Dance Space team as a class assistant and is eager to share her passion for dance with younger students.