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About Us

Karen Davis Jones

Director & Founder | Dance Instructor | Choreographer

Karen Davis-Jones, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana has been performing and dancing in the entertainment industry for 27 years. Her experiences include dancing, choreographing, directing, acting, and singing. Her training includes: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Atlanta Ballet, Terekema Center for Art and Culture, and LSU Dance Theatre; as well as training with various instructors in Atlanta, New Orleans, and New York.

Karen is a former Saintsation (New Orleans Saint’s NFL Dance Team); as well as a former NBA Dancer with the Atlanta Hawks Dance Team. She has performed in several musical theatre productions, T.V/film and other performing arenas both nationally and internationally, such as: An Amazing Christmas with T.C Carson and Friends (CDL Entertainment 2014 Memphis, TN); The Nativity: A Gospel Celebration (December 2011), TSU Honors 2011 (The Ensemble Theatre Houston, Texas), The WIZ 2007 (True Colors Theatre Co.), Tambourines to Glory. Her film/TV credits include: The Gospel, Miss Evers Boys, Angel Heart; Steve Harvey’s Big Time Show, and The Moving Word: Ministry of Dance with Patdro Harris. Karen was the 2015 recipient of the Delta Sigma Theta “Artie” award for excellence in dance in the community. International credits include: China’s 22nd International Peach Blossom Festival 2008 (Cheng Du, China), Kaay Feec (“come and dance”) International Dance Festival; Dakar, Senegal (Africa) 2005, and The Roots Festival; Banjul, Gambia (Africa) 2006.

Karen Davis-Jones most recently performed for the 2019 Atlanta Hawks Dance team Alumni Game. She is currently the Dance Director/Dance Instructor/Curriculum Designer of the Landry-Walker Dance Department and owner/artistic director of Studio K Dance Company (a Performing Arts Studio). She has a passion for sharing her gift of dance and providing arts education to the next generation.

"World Class Choreographer inspiring
children."

Meet Our Team

Nell Holmes

Assistant Director | Media Manager | Choreographer

Nell is a dancer, educator, choreographer, and creative leader whose work bridges dance, education, and community. With more than 14 years of professional dance experience and over 18 years under the mentorship of Karen Davis-Jones, she has built a career rooted in movement, mentorship, and leadership. As Assistant Director, Media Manager, and Choreographer, Nell supports the company through choreography, stage management, scheduling/production support and social media management. She also teaches dancers of all ages and creates opportunities that foster confidence, discipline, and artistic growth. A former NFL Cheerleader for four seasons, Nell has performed professionally across various platforms while continuing to expand her work as a choreographer and educator. She is a certified flexibility specialist and the founder of multiple businesses centered on dance, wellness, education, and empowerment. Academically, Nell earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Xavier University of Louisiana and a Master of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Educational Psychology. Known as the “Dancing Psychologist,” she brings a unique perspective to every space she enters, using movement to inspire, educate, and empower.

Madyson Barbain

Ballet/Pre-Pointe/Pointe Instructor | Choreographer

Madyson Barbain is a New Orleans-based dance artist, choreographer, educator, and licensed massage therapist whose work explores the connection between movement, wellness, education, and community. A graduate of Warren Easton High School and the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), she earned a BFA in Dance and a Liberal Arts degree in Kinesiology from Tulane University. With more than two decades of dance experience, Madyson has performed with Artivism Dance Company and KM Dance Project, appearing at events including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Miami Pride, and alongside artists such as Master P and Jon Batiste. In 2023, she was a finalist for the Gambit Big Easy Awards for Outstanding Choreography. Madyson joined NOBA’s faculty in 2021 and has taught with Young Audiences Louisiana and KID smART. In 2026, she founded Embodied Artistry LLC, combining her passion for movement and body care through massage therapy.

Kisha Kelly

Rising Stars Pre-Primary/Primary Dance Instructor | Choreographer

Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Lakisha Kelly discovered her love for dance at just three years old. What began as a childhood passion has grown into a lifelong dedication to movement, creativity, and education. For the past five years, Lakisha has shared her passion for dance through teaching, inspiring students to grow both technically and personally. She strives to create a positive and encouraging environment where students can build confidence, develop discipline, express themselves, and discover their unique artistry. Lakisha believes dance is more than movement—it is a powerful tool for self-expression, connection, and personal growth. She is passionate about empowering the next generation and helping students carry the confidence they gain in the studio into everyday life.

Kellen Taravella

Tap Instructor | Choreographer

Kellen Taravella is a dedicated dance educator and performer in her fourth year teaching at Studio K. She trained for 15 years at A Time to Dance Studio, supplemented by Mr. Denny’s summer ballet intensives, and graduated in 2003. Her training includes ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, swing, and tumbling. Kellen has performed in numerous theatrical productions, including Pippin, Chicago, A Chorus Line as Kristine, Grease as Cha Cha, Peter Pan as an Indian, Annie, Hair, and Footloose with JPAS, Rivertown, and NORD. Her choreography credits include Bye Bye Birdie, 13, Aida, and Footloose. She has also performed with the Big Easy Boys and in productions with Broken Mirror Productions, Gulf Coast Theatre on Tap, and Six Flags New Orleans.

Ferneasa Cutno

K-Krewe Dance Instructor | Choreographer

Ferneasa Cutno Crockett, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, is a classically trained dancer, choreographer, and educator with more than 40 years of professional experience. Her extensive training and artistic background include ballet, modern, tap, jazz, African, and social dance. For 28 years, she owned and directed Cutno Dance Center in Augusta, Georgia, where she cultivated generations of dancers and artists. Ferneasa currently serves as an Arts Integration Coordinator with Young Audiences of Louisiana and as a choreographer for its charter school musical theater program. She is also a member of the seventh cohort of Curriculum in Motion at Jacob’s Pillow, continuing her commitment to innovative arts education and interdisciplinary movement practices.

Kennae Lathers

Jazz/Hip Hop Dance Instructor | Choreographer

Kennae Lathers is a proud Landry-Walker High School alumna and former Royal Crush Dance Team member. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Dillard University in 2024 and is in her sixth year of teaching dance. As an educator, Kennae brings structure, patience, encouragement, and accountability to every class. Lyrical is her favorite style, while she also enjoys teaching jazz, technique, and acro. Her goal is to help dancers become confident, versatile performers. In Ms. Kennae’s class, dancers can expect to work hard, have fun, embrace corrections, support their teammates, and always give their best effort.

Shekinah Easterling

African Dance Instructor

Shekinah “Connie” Easterling is a New Orleans native who has been dancing and performing since the age of three. A versatile artist, she has trained extensively in African Dance, Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and other Black dance traditions under renowned New Orleans artists including Monique S. Moss, Lula Elzy, Mariama Curry, and Greer Goff Mendy. Connie is a member of N’Kafu Traditional West African Dance Company and teaches with Culu Children’s Traditional African Dance Company. As a dance captain, she has studied with master teachers including Souleymane and Suquan Diop, Mouminatou Camara, Uche Omoniyi, and Shaunta Peebles. With over 10 years of teaching experience, Connie brings together her artistic training and understanding of the social and emotional impact of movement. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Liara Skinner

Technique Dance Instructor

Liara Skinner is a senior nursing student at Dillard University and a dedicated dancer, educator, and choreographer with over 19 years of experience. Born and raised in Katy, Texas, she began dancing at age two, training in ballet, tap, and jazz. She later became a competitive dancer, expanding her training to contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, modern, musical theatre, and Fosse. Liara became an NYCDA Finalist and participated in the 2016 Debbie Allen Summer Intensive. In high school, she danced with the Maverick Belles Varsity Dance Team, serving as Junior Lieutenant and Colonel. She currently teaches and choreographs drill teams throughout Texas through Crowd Pleasers Dance.

Kelli Wilson

Acro/Gymnastics Instructor

Kelli “Coach Kelli” Wilson brings more than 25 years of coaching experience and a 10-year competitive acrobatics background to Superior Acrobatics and Cheer Sports, where she serves as Director of the program. She leads the only predominantly African American acrobatics gymnastics program in the country, championing both athletic excellence and representation in the sport. With state, regional, national, and international accolades, Coach Kelli is passionate about developing strong technique while nurturing the whole child. She holds certifications in USAG Safety, Safe Sport, and CPR and combines elite-level athletic training with a holistic approach to youth development, helping athletes build confidence, discipline, character, and lifelong skills both on and beyond the floor.