Faculty/Staff | RAVE Performing Arts

Faculty & Staff

Rachel Vierck-Amie

Owner, Studio Director, Team Director

Teacher (All Styles)

Rachel Vierck-Amie (who's initials are our namesake) began her dance training in 1993 and never stopped. She grew up an award winning competitive dancer, training at various studios around Baton Rouge, and was a 3-year member of the Catholic High School Bruinettes Dance Team. She graduated from Louisiana State University with two bachelors' degrees in Mass Communication and Theatre Performance. At LSU she performed and choreographed with the LSU Dance Ensemble, Legacy Dancers, LSU Theatre, and led the LSU Tap Ensemble. Training highlights include: Broadway Dance Center in NY, The Edge Performing Arts Center in Hollywood, Disney Dancin' Program at Walt Disney World, Parsons Dance Company Summer Intensive in NY, learning Crystal Pite repertory through a KiddPivot intensive at Peridance Capezio Center in NY, The Dance Masters of America Teacher Training School at the University of Buffalo, with Debbie Allen, Thelma Goldberg and other notable industry leaders. Performance highlights include Walt Disney World, halftime for the New Orleans Saints, Just Dance with Debbie Allen, and the Parsons Dance Summer Showcase, in addition to work in film and regional theatres. Rachel has danced professionally with Emmy Award winner Heidi Malnar's company Theatre on Tap, Dance Collective Baton Rouge and Of Moving Colors Contemporary Dance Theatre under the Artistic Director of Garland Goodwin-Wilson. She has taught with programs across south Louisiana, including Saint Joseph's Academy, St. Luke’s Episcopal School, The Manship Theatre, Arts Council of Baton Rouge and various studios. She has trained dancers that have gone on to be accepted into Joffrey Ballet, as well as college dance programs, and some now dance professionally in concert dance companies. She is a certified dance educator through Dance Masters of America, certified in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) and a member of the National Dance Educators Organization. She is also an active board member and 2nd Vice President of Dance Masters of America’s 37th Chapter, Dixie Association of Dance Teachers.

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Chelsea Morgan

Teacher, Assistant Director of Annual RAVE Revue

Chelsea Morgan, a New Orleans area native, comes to us with over 25 years of dance experience. Chelsea received her dance teaching certificate under the direction of Shantel Robeaux in Belle Chasse, LA. In 2013, she graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication with minors in dance, physical theatre, theatre and business administration. She performed in several LSU Department of Theatre shows and was a member of the LSU Tap Ensemble. She continues growing her dance teacher knowledge, experience and certifications online through the CLI Studios Teacher Program. She has certifications in Stretch & Strength, Injury Prevention and Choreography. Chelsea loves to also teach others about healthy living, nutrition education, and the importance of movement as the Louisiana Community Impact Vice President for the American Heart Association. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Healthcare Administration. This is her seventh year on the RAVE teaching faculty. She has been a part of our Company as a production assistant/program designer since we opened.

Kendall Keating

Teacher, Studio Operations Assistant

Kendall Keating has become one of the most well-established dance instructors in Central for over a decade, having started teaching at the Center of Performing Arts (COPA), then transitioned into The Coda and now RAVE. Kendall began her dance training in Central at BREC in 1998 and then moved over to the Center of Performing Arts where she experienced most of her training under Jeanne Bonaventure. She competed with the COPA dance troupe for 8 years having won numerous awards. Ms. Kendall was also a proud member of the Central High School Kittens Dance Team for 3 years, and she has choreographed for Central High School Musical Theater Productions as well. Ms. Kendall continued her dance education at Louisiana State University while completing her bachelor’s degree in Political Science and eventually a Master’s in Business Administration. She taught dance for the after-school program at St. James' Episcopal School, as well as through Louisiana's premiere modern company Of Moving Colors Productions "Kick It Out" program. She is also a founding member and performer with Dance Collective Baton Rouge. By day, Ms. Kendall works at La Printaniere Montessori School as an assistant teacher in the Primary Program. In her free time, she enjoys eating, reading, and impromptu dance parties with her 4-year-old son, Dean and 2-year-old daughter, Margot. Ms. Kendall has been a part of RAVE since the beginning. After taking a brief hiatus, she is back this season to share her sparkle with us.

Stephanie Faucette

Teacher

Stephanie Faucette began her dance training with Jeanne Bonaventure at The Center of Performing Arts (COPA) in her hometown of Central, Louisiana. Following her high school graduation from St. Joseph's Academy, she went on to Louisiana State University where she trained and performed under distinguished Baton Rouge dance educators such Molly Buchmann, Susan Perlis and Dina Melly in the LSU Dance Program and with Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre. She later became a professional company dancer with Of Moving Colors Productions under the artistic direction of Garland Goodwin-Wilson and performed with Dance Collective Baton Rouge. In the past, she has choreographed works for the LSU Dance Ensemble, Of Moving Colors Productions and has also created award-winning numbers for her competitive students. Professionally, Stephanie has attended classes and workshops at Dance New Amsterdam and Peridance Capezio Center in New York City. Stephanie holds a bachelor's degree from LSU in English and a master's degree in Education. Stephanie also holds a teacher certification through American Ballet Theatre's teacher training program, with over 15 years of dance teaching experience. By day, she is a high school English teacher at St. Joseph's Academy. When she is not teaching, Stephanie is enjoying quality time with her two little boys Jack (5) and Wes (3). FUN FACT: Stephanie formerly co-owned The Coda dance studio. Does that name sound familiar? It's because The Coda was the studio that eventually became RAVE Performing Arts.

Madolyn Brumfield

Teacher

Madolyn Brumfield began her dance training at the Center of Performing Arts (COPA) under the direction of Jeanne Bonaventure. Following the closure of COPA, she trained The Coda under Stephanie Faucette, Micaela Coner, Kendall Keating and Rachel Vierck-Amie, and continued training under Miss Rachel, Miss Kendall and faculty when The Coda became RAVE Performing Arts Company. She was a member of the RAVE competition and performance team for five years and lead the team as team captain. Through the team, Madolyn attended many conventions and competitions where she won high score awards, judges awards, and scholarships, in addition to being named runner-up for Miss Dance of Dixie through Dixe Dance Masters, a Dance Masters of America affiliate. She has had the privilege of receiving special training from Heidi Malnar (Emmy winning choreographer and director of Theatre on Tap), Susan Perlis (Associate Director at Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre), and Jacie Scott (Radio City Rockettes, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders) to name a few. Madolyn was a 4-year member of the Central High School Kittens Dance Team where she served two years as Team Captain and won standout dancer awards through both American All-Star and UDA. She worked under Miss Rachel as an assistant teacher for four years and is very excited to enter her third year as a teacher on faculty. Madolyn is currently attending LSU where she is majoring in Education with a minor in Dance. Madolyn is training in the LSU Dance Department under the direction of Claudio Ribeiro and Susan Perlis. In addition to teaching at RAVE, Madolyn is also coach and choreographer for the Central High Kittens dance team and is dancing professionally with Baton Rouge's premier contemporary dance company, Of Moving Colors Productions, under the Artistic Direction of Garland Goodwin-Wilson.

Hannah Knoff

Teacher

Hannah Knoff is a performing artist from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Dance from Northwestern State University where she studied under Kirstin Riehl, Brett Garfinkel, Michael Lomeka, Rebecca Morgan, and Crystal Lewis. Hannah was a member of the NSU Dance Company and performed various ensemble and soloist roles throughout her time at Northwestern, while also performing as a member of Northwestern's dance team "the Demon Dazzlers." She had the opportunity to work with Bodyart Dance on a new dance film and performed with the Moscow Ballet (as a student in their production of The Nutcracker. She joined Of Moving Colors Productions, performing professionally under the artistic direction of Garland Goodwin-Wilson where she served this past season as Associate Director of the company. Through OMC, she has also performed with Opera Louisiane, and the Baton Rouge Symphony. She has participated in choreographic residencies with renowned artists such as John Allen, Christian Von Howard, and Pavel Zuštiak. This will be her first season on faculty with RAVE Performing Arts Company.

Madison Ingrassia

Teacher, Company Team Assistant

Madison Ingrassia joined RAVE during her 15th year of dance training and officially became a teacher on the RAVE a few years later. She grew up training in Prairieville at A Dancer's World until her family relocated to Central. Madison was formally a member of the Central High School Kittens Dance Team where she competed for American All Star and UDA. She has previously worked at RAVE as an assistant teacher and then trained in the Co-Teacher program by Mrs. Rachel guided by the DMA syllabus. She recently graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders and a minor in dance. She trained in the LSU Dance Program under Susan Perlis and Claudio Ribero. Madison was a member of Phi Mu sorority - where she also danced on their Songfest team and served on their Executive Board. 'Miss Maddy' is excited to continue teaching at RAVE for another season while getting her Master's degree at Southeastern Louisiana University.

Amaya Moore

Teacher

Amaya is a New Orleans native, currently in her senior year at Louisiana State University. She is persuing a major in Business Entrepreneurship and a minor in Dance. She began dancing at the age of 2, and has trained in ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, lyrical, tap, hip-hop, and modern. She became a competitive dancer at the age of six years old at Dancer's Pointe in Metairie. For high school, she attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) with a focus in dance where she was awarded the Most Valuable Dancer Award for showing leadership, drive and passion around the school. At LSU she was a performer with the Legacy Dancers hip hop crew and has performed in Making Space NOLA. Having previously choreographed for studios in the New Orleans area, she's excited to begin teaching the students of Central at RAVE.

Kendall Breaud

Co-Teacher/Teacher Assistant

Kendall Breaud is a Central native, and RAVE Performing Arts Company is where her love of dance flourished. As a member of RAVE's competitive team, Kendall earned high score and judges' choice awards at numerous dance competitions. With a passion for theatre as well, Kendall also grew up participating in Central Community Theatre productions. She went on to being an apprentice with Baton Rouge's premier contemporary dance company, Of Moving Colors Productions, under the Artistic Direction of Garland Goodwin-Wilson. Through OMC she furthered her dance training, where she got to train under nationally recognized guest choreographers and perform their work on the professional stage. Kendall is excited to return to RAVE this season, assisting in teaching acro and musical theatre.

Mandi Hebert

Guest Tumbling Coach

Mandi Vierck Hebert has over 35 years of gymnastics and dance experience. A former LSU Gymnast, Mandi graduated from LSU in 2004 and has coached gymnastics for over 20 years. She has coached at SoLa Gymnastics in Broussard, LA for the last 10 years. She was a competitive dancer for 4 years and also has several years of experience teaching jazz, hip hop and acro classes at dance studios. She is passionate about combining her two favorite things, gymnastics and dancing. RAVE families may find Coach Mandi familiar as she is Mrs. Rachel's sister and has been assisting with our annual RAVE Revue Performance since the studio opened. She lives in Lafayette with her husband and 4 children. We're so excited to have her come as a guest tumbling coach throughout the year.