Committed to helping dancers grow in their skills and in everyday life.
Our mission is to provide our dancers with age appropriate dance education while encouraging them to continue to strive for the best in academics, extracurriculars, and family life!
We are all about meeting people where they’re at! That’s why we have different classes specifically tailored around their skill level. Our studio is open for ALL ages 2+. We have incredible staff members who are passionate about dance and people!
Meet Our Staff
Heather Barone
“My main goal is to help my dancers grow — not just as dancers but in everyday life.”
Heather Barone is the owner of Applause Dance Academy. Not only does the own the dance studio, but she’s also an instructor!
Heather has over 30 years teaching experience. She is the former owner of Creative Dance Studio in Slidell, LA. Over the past few years, she has been a dance consultant for several studios in the Greater New Orleans area.
She has choreographed many award-winning routines for competitive teams across Louisiana. She has also choreographed for school plays, variety shows, Mardi Gras balls, and other events! Her choreography and productions are recognized for their creativity and unique style. Heather has an amazing way of connecting with each of her students to share a love of dance.
Stephanie South
“I love teaching ballet. It is my passion. I believe in passing down the technique and art form to all learners. Dance should be inclusive of everyone, no matter their ability, as it brings so much joy to life.”
Stephanie is a product of the Giacobbe Academy of Dance. She was a ballerina with the Delta Festival Ballet and New Orleans Youth Ballet. She danced many of the major roles in The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty, as well as created the title roles in Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. Stephanie was the first Miss Dance of America from Louisiana to be crowned by DMA. Mrs. South has been teaching ballet for many years and is passionate about passing down the art form.
Kristi Shaffer
"I have always loved to dance, so it was natural for me to share that passion with others through teaching. I am always so proud when I see my students grow as dancers and performers and reach their goals."
Kristi Shaffer has been dancing since the age of three. In high school she was a member and captain of the Carmelette Dance Team. She earned a minor in dance from LSU, studying under Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre's Molly Buchmann and Susan Perlis. She has studied ballet and modern at Lou Conte, the studio of Hubbard Street Dance, and has studied jazz at Gus Giordano Dance School, both in Chicago. She was a member of and a choreographer for 98.6, a small dance company out of Chicago, and she has taught dance for various schools in both the New Orleans and Chicago metropolitan areas. She coached Mount Carmel's Rhythm Dance Team for eight years and spent one year as an assistant coach of the Hawkettes. She has been able to take class with Mia Michaels, Sonya Tayeh, Dee Caspary, Gil Duldulao, Dave Scott, Laurieann Gibson, Brooke Lipton, Chris Judd, and Travis Wall.
Katherine Sims
“I have loved to dance since I could walk. Watching my students grow in their love of dance makes each day so sweet.”
Katherine Sims has danced since the age of two. She grew up dancing at The Academy of Ballet where she was in numerous productions of The Nutcracker. She was part of the Carmelette dance team at Mount Carmel Academy. Katherine studied dance at Southeastern Louisiana University and was part of the Dance Works Company. She has choreographed for competition teams and was awarded Choreographer of the Year for Kids Artistic Revue.
Cameron Carter
"I started dancing before I was the age of one and fell in love with it ever since!! I was a three year member on the Southeastern Louisiana University Lionettes dance team were I had the honor to serve as leader for my last two years! I love pouring my love for dance into the younger generation and I can’t wait for the upcoming season."
Cameron has been dancing before the age of one. She trained at Leshia’s dance school in Picayune Mississippi for 20 years and started competing at the age of 4 years old. In Cameron’s years of competing she attended multiple competitions and conventions were she has received multiple awards. Cameron danced for the String of Pearls dance team at Pearl River Community College for her first two years of school, we’re she served at officer her first year and captain her second. Cameron graduated from Pearl River Community College with an Associates in Art then continued her education and dance career at Southeastern Louisiana University. Cameron was on the Lionettes dance team for three years and her first year her and the team placed 1st in HipHop at UDA nationals. She has also had the honor of serving at one of the four leaders for the past two years. Cameron has been teaching dance for 8 years now and is beyond excited and thankful to share of love of dance with the younger generation at Applause and can’t wait for the upcoming season!!