Jennifer Coates - Owner / Director of Jazz, Hip-Hop and Company

Jennifer Urbina Coates, owner and dance educator, is a native of Alexandria. She studied dance under the direction of Michelle Friede at the former The Dance Experience in Pineville, LA. As a student, Jennifer performed and competed in and out of state starting at the age of eight. She performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1989.

Jennifer was the choreographer and a performer for the Alexandria Warthogs Pro-Am Ice Hockey dance team, “The Thunderbolts,” in 1999 as well as for the Rangers Pro-Am Indoor Arena Football Team’s cheer/dance team, “The Rangerettes,” in 2000. She was the choreographer for the Alexandria Senior High dance line from 2000 to 2004, winning regional, state and national titles.

Jennifer was the coach and choreographer for “Dance Team 2000” at Vicki’s Dance Studios from 2000 to 2005, winning numerous awards at Showstoppers, Dance Makers Inc., LA Dance Magic, Applause, and International Dance Challenge, as well as national titles at both Universal Studios in Orlando, FL in 2002 and at the Cashman Convention Center in Las Vegas in March 2003. The National Dance Alliance awarded her the Grand National Champion Choreography Award in 2003.

Jennifer choreographed and performed for Royal Caribbean’s “Stars at Sea” in April 2004. She has taken many master classes from some of the world's greatest dancers, including classes at Broadway Dance Center in New York. Jennifer, along with Kayla Riché Fung, choreographed for Louisiana Tech’s Competition dance line in 2005 winning first place at nationals. She has been the choreographer for the Louisiana Junior Miss State Program since 2005. Jennifer is married and the mother of three.

Rená Crooks-Saucier - Director of Tap

Rená is a native of Alexandria. She is the daughter of Frank and Marie Crooks. She has been dancing since the age of two. Rená studied dance under Susan Hussey, Talent, Inc. for approximately 12 years. She was a member of the Junior Company for two years and the Senior Company for four years. They won numerous awards at conventions all over Louisiana. In 1989, they were elected to compete in New York City for a National Title sponsored by the Dance Educators of America. They won first place in the tap and choreography divisions and also received the overall highest score. While in New York, the Senior Company had the opportunity to dance with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall.

Rená was Susan Hussey's teacher's assistant for her last six years of dance before going to college. She graduated from Alexandria Senior High School and was on danceline for three years. In 1988, the Alexandria Senior High Danceline won the opportunity from Universal Dance Association to compete on ESPN in Orlando, FL in both Kickline and Jazz Divisions. Rená taught dance at Northwestern State University in the Theatre Department during 1990 and 1991.

Rená went on to graduate from the University of Louisiana at Monroe with a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice, minoring in Psychology and Sociology. She is married to Cody Saucier and has two beautiful children, Madison and Cody Michael. Rená is currently working at Pinecrest Developmental Center as a Team Leader Coordinator in the Psychology Department. She has worked for the State of Louisiana for 15 years.

Kayla Riché Fung - Director of Ballet, Pointe and Lyrical

Kayla has been dancing since the age of three. Her love for dance has taken her many places, including Florida, New York, South Carolina, Las Vegas and Texas. She says that dance has instilled poise, technique and discipline and has helped make her the person she is today.

At a very young age, Kayla realized that her favorite subject in dance was ballet. It is the one subject that has motivated her and that she has devoted all her time to practicing. She is proud to have the opportunity to pass on her knowledge of ballet to her students. As Kayla grew up, she found another style of dance that she was passionate about: lyrical. She says that she enjoys all areas of dance, but ballet and lyrical are her absolute favorites.

Kayla's dance career has afforded her many opportunities including performing at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, competing in national competitions throughout the United States, and choreographing ballet and lyrical numbers for her students at Just Dance. She lists being the Director of Ballet, Pointe and Lyrical at Just Dance as one of her greatest accomplishments.

Kayla is also proud to have taken classes from some of the world's greatest dancers including Joe Tremaine, Doug Caldwell, Frank Hatchett, Jerry Rose and Desiree Robbins. These great teachers/performers have instilled in her a passion to continue to learn and to dance. It is that same passion that she wants to give to her students. She hopes that they will keep trying and continue learning as long as they can!

Mandy Huebner - Junior Hip-Hop Instructor

Mandy has been dancing since the age of three. She began her training at Cenla Academy of Performing Arts under the direction of Rita Barton. Mandy has accomplished many things thus far in her dancing career, including dancing in parades, at conventions, in talent shows, in competitions, and even with the LSU Tiger Girls. She has learned from professionals such as Dave Scott, Tabitha and Napoleon Dumo and Shane Sparks. Most recently, she was awarded a dance scholarship by Tyce Diorio. Mandy is thankful for these and other experiences made possible through dance.

Mandy has danced outside the studio, but she has always held studio dance as her first priority. She attended Holy Savior Menard Central High School, where she participated in both junior high cheer and varsity danceline. Mandy then transferred to Alexandria Senior High School, where she danced as a Troydoll for two consecutive years. As an ASH Troydoll, she received the title of American All-Star at dance line camp. This included an invitation to dance in Italy. Mandy is a 2009 graduate of ASH.

Mandy has always enjoyed making up dance routines and has choreographed several pieces. While in junior high, she created and taught the Menard Junior High and Senior High School cheerleading tryout dance routines. While on those dance teams, she also choreographed many dances. For three years, Mandy was the co-choreographer of the "little sisters" dance routine for the Louisiana Junior Miss program. During her senior year of high school, she and her friend and fellow Just Dance Senior Company member Alexa Cruz coached the ASH Booster Squad.

During Mandy's freshman year of high school, she started dancing at Just Dance. She recently completed her 15th year of dance and fifth year as a company member. Mandy is very happy and proud that her mentor, Jennifer Coates, has given her so many opportunities. Dancing is something she loves to do. It is her passion and she would love to continue it for many years.

Lissie Heard Theriot - Director of Teeny Tiny Dancers

Lissie Heard Theriot was born in Jennings, Louisiana, and moved to Alexandria at the age of five. She began dance instruction under the direction of Millie Sanders and continued her training throughout her junior high and high school years with Rita Barton School of Dance.

While in high school, Lissie was a member of Bolton High School's dance line and served as co-captain her junior and senior years. After high school, she received a dance scholarship to NLU in Monroe, LA.

Dance took a back seat for many years while Lissie took employment at Alexandria Country Day School and began her family. During those years, she had the opportunity to fulfill her love for dance and music by choreographing many numbers for both children and adults in such events as Calvary Baptist Church's Annual Singing Christmas Tree and Showtime. She was also able to incorporate her love of music by working with children's choirs, singing in various ensembles, and traveling with a southern gospel singing group throughout Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas and Kentucky.

Later, Lissie got the opportunity to quit her full-time job and get a taste of the three things she enjoys the most – working with children, dance, and music. Lissie worked from 2004 to 2005 at Vicki’s Dance Center in Alexandria, and then joined the faculty at Just Dance in February of 2006.