Lacie has been a dance and cheer choreographer for the last 17 years. She has been recognized for numerous state and national titles and has received many Outstanding Choreography Awards. She has taught hip-hop, jazz, tap, contemporary, ballet and cheer and dance teams within the last 17 years. She has an Elementary Education degree from Louisiana State University and is currently raising Annalee (6), Jordy Jr. (4), and Adeline(2).

Explain your choreography process.

My choreography process is first started out by the layout of the dance. The overall feel that I want to portray to the crowd. Is it funny, meaningful, majestic, etc. I have to think about how I want the dance to appear in order to get a certain mood across.

What is some advice you’d give choreographers starting out?

My advice to beginning choreographers is to always give 110% when choreographing. You are there to teach and choreograph for someone who couldn’t do it themselves. So give them the best that you have!

What is the most rewarding aspect of being a choreographer?

At different stages of my teaching career I had different rewards. At first it was of course my team getting complimented or just blowing an audience away! But as I get older, the rewards I received are watching my students do their own thing and come alive when they dance. To put in the extra steps. To “feel” the music.

When a problem arises how do you handle it?

It depends on what the problem is: there can be team problems, injury problems, attendance problems, drama problems, parent problems, etc. I handle them all differently. It really depends on the situation. But overall, I feel like, if a dancer loves dance and wants to make it work then they will. If not, see ya.

What are some things you do to motivate your students?

To motivate my students I yell as they dance to get them excited. I compliment their strengths as often as I possibly can. I let them know how proud I am. But I also clearly show my disappointments. And I also try to be more than a dance teacher to them. I want to know about their lives so I can better motivate them to be excellent dancers and good human beings.

Do you choreograph to the talent or do you challenge the talent? Why?

I definitely do a little bit of both. I choreograph to the talent so that they can find their “groove” but I also challenge the talent otherwise they would never grow! If they learned an entire routine perfectly in a day then there would be NO challenge present; therefore, no beneficial growth.

What is your favorite style of dance?

My entire life, my favorite style of dance has been hip-hop. I think I was born with it on my soul. BUT I never listen to hip-hop music so it’s tough to find songs. But when I do find a song that I like it just all comes so very natural to me. However, my pandora mainly has indie rock on it.

Who inspired you to pursue dance and who continues to inspire you?

My mom and Brittany Arceneaux both played a major role in inspiring me to dance and to now teach it. My mom was my ultimate #1 fan. There’s no words to describe how supportive she has been for the 33 years I’ve been involved in dance. Brittany Arceneaux still inspires my brain’s creativity and she has been my idol for many years. My students also inspire me. Without them, I definitely wouldn’t have my choreography come alive. They bring it all to life! They give me life!