Faculty/Staff | RAVE Performing Arts

Faculty & Staff

Rachel Vierck-Amie

Owner, Studio Director, Team Director

Teacher (All Styles)

Rachel Vierck-Amie (who's initials sparked the name RAVE) grew up training in Baton Rouge as both an award-winning competitive dancer and a performer with the Catholic High School Bruinettes dance team. She graduated from Louisiana State University with two bachelor’s degrees in Mass Communication and Theatre Performance. At LSU, she performed and choreographed with the LSU Dance Ensemble, Legacy Dancers, the LSU Theatre Program, and was President of the LSU Tap Ensemble. Training highlights include The Disney Dancin’ Program at Walt Disney World, Parsons Dance Company Summer Program in New York, The Edge Performing Arts Center in Hollywood, Broadway Dance Center, Kidd Pivot (Crystal Pite) Intensive with Cindy Salgado at Peridance in New York, The Dance Masters of America Teacher Training School at the University of Buffalo, New Orleans Tap Fest, and with Debbie Allen and artists of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. Performance Highlights include Walt Disney World, halftime for the New Orleans Saints, Just Dance with Debbie Allen, the Parsons Dance Summer Showcase in New York, musical performances at Rivertown Theatres in New Orleans, and in films such as Pitch Perfect. Rachel performed professionally in Emmy award-winner Heidi Malnar’s tap dance company, Theatre on Tap, with Dance Collective Baton Rouge, and with Baton Rouge’s premier contemporary dance company, Of Moving Colors Productions, under the direction of Garland Goodwin Wilson. Through OMC, she performed works by nationally and internationally acclaimed artists such as Christian Von Howard, John Allen, Nick Erickson, Lindsey Dietz Marchant, Stephen Wynne, and Pavel Zustiak. Rachel has taught at various studios across south Louisiana, as a resident teaching artist for the Arts Council of Baton Rouge and the Manship Theatre for the Arts, and has taught for St. Luke's Episcopal School and choreographed for Saint Joseph's Academy and Catholic High School's theatre program. She is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) and a certified Tap and Jazz Teacher through Dance Masters of America. She is currently on the Board of Directors for Dixie Association of Dance Teachers, and a member of CLI Studios, Discover Dance, Once Upon a Ballet, and Dance To Learn. Rachel began teaching in Central at The Coda dance studio, and has continued to teach in the Central community for the past 15 years. Mrs. Rachel is a proud mom of two little toddler girls who love to twirl like mama.

Chelsea Morgan

Teacher, Assistant Director of Annual RAVE Revue

Chelsea Morgan, a native of the New Orleans area, brings over 25 years of dance experience. Chelsea earned her dance teaching certificate under the guidance of Shantel Robeaux, using the DMA syllabus in Belle Chasse, LA. In 2013, she graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, minoring in dance, physical theatre, theatre, and business administration. While at LSU, Chelsea performed in several Department of Theatre productions and was a member of the LSU Tap Ensemble. She recently earned her Master’s in Healthcare Administration. She continues to expand her dance teaching knowledge and experience online through the CLI Studios Teacher Program. She holds certifications in Preschool Dance, Strength Training/Injury Prevention, and Choreography. Chelsea also enjoys teaching others about healthy living, nutrition, and the importance of physical activity, serving as the Louisiana Community Impact Vice President for the American Heart Association. Through this role, she has earned certification in Mental Health First Aid and is a certified instructor for CPR/AED/First Aid. This is her ninth year on the RAVE teaching faculty. She has been part of our company as a production assistant and 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 St. Joseph's Academy as an English Teacher. In her free time, she enjoys eating, reading, and impromptu dance parties with her 7-year-old son, Dean and 5-year-old daughter, Margot. Ms. Kendall has been a part of RAVE since the beginning.

Hannah Knoff

Teacher, Ballet Troupe Director

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 also served as Associate Director of the company. Through OMC, she also performed with Opera Louisianne, and the Baton Rouge Symphony. She has participated in choreographic residencies with renowned artists such as John Allen, Christian Von Howard, and Pavel Zuštiak. During the day, Miss Hannah is a P.E. Teacher and Track & Field Coach at Basis Charter School. This will be her second season on faculty with RAVE Performing Arts Company.

Madolyn Brumfield

Teacher, Competition Team Assistant

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 at 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 a recent graduate of LSU where she earned a degree in Education with a minor in Dance. Madolyn is trained 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 has danced professionally with Baton Rouge's premier contemporary dance company, Of Moving Colors Productions, under the Artistic Direction of Garland Goodwin-Wilson. By day Madolyn teaches 4th grade ELA at Zachary Elementary School.

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. This is Amaya's second season at RAVE.

Madison Ingrassia

Teacher and Desk 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' earned her Master's degree in Speech Pathology at Southeastern Louisiana University and is working as an Inpatient Adult Rehabilitation Therapist. She is excited to continue teaching at RAVE Performing Arts.

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Kendall Breaud

Teaching and Desk 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.

Wendy McCarthy

Baton Twirling

RAVE Performing Arts is excited to welcome the baton queen Mrs. Wendy to our staff this season! With over a decade of competitive and coaching experience, Wendy brings passion, leadership, and a proven record of success in the world of baton twirling. She began her journey in the sport at age seven and started coaching at sixteen, transforming her love for baton into a lifelong pursuit of excellence—for herself and her students. As an experienced and results-driven coach, Wendy has developed high-performing athletes at the state, regional, national, and world levels. Her coaching style emphasizes discipline, creativity, and a positive, competitive environment that fosters both skill development and personal growth. Wendy's students have earned titles including Louisiana State Champions, Deep South Regional Champions, and World Champions. She is proud to have coached individual competitors, team performers, majorette lines, and feature twirlers at the middle school, high school, and collegiate levels.

Alyse Bordelon

Pilates Instructor

Alyse comes from Zachary where she trained in dance and was a competitive dancer throughout her youth and teen years. She went on to experience life as a dance mom when her daughter trained and competed here at RAVE Performing Arts Company. Alyse comes back to us this season as our Pilates instructor for our adult fitness class. She is a certified Pilates instructor through the American Sports & Fitness Association. Alyse is a mom of two and passionate about health and personal fitness, you'll also find her regularly at Central Barre and Sculpt.

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.