Forget the bright lights of New York or the sprawling campuses of elite coastal academies. In the heart of Cajun country, tucked away in Perry City, Louisiana, a quiet revolution in classical training has been unfolding. For two decades, this town of 8,000 has nurtured a dance scene that defies expectations—three distinct studios where ballet isn't just an after-school activity, but a serious pursuit that’s launching dancers into real careers.
This isn’t about competing with the big names. It’s about what happens when dedicated teachers plant roots in a close-knit community and build something extraordinary from the ground up.
The Legacy Studio: Louisiana School of Dance
Walk into the longest-running dance school in Perry City, and you’ll feel the buzz of a place that’s truly for everyone. Founded by Denise Broussard in 1997, the Louisiana School of Dance (LSD) is a vibrant hub where toddlers in tutus share the hallway with teens honing competition solos and adults rediscovering their love for pliés.
Broussard, a University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduate and certified Royal Academy of Dance teacher, built her philosophy on accessibility. While ballet forms the disciplined core of her curriculum—following the structured RAD syllabus—the studio pulses with energy from jazz, contemporary, tap, and hip-hop classes. What really sets LSD apart is its Pre-Professional Division. Here, about 25 committed students train 8-12 hours weekly, blending mandatory ballet with other styles. They receive private coaching for competitions and college auditions, treating dance with a seriousness that balances beautifully with the studio’s welcoming vibe.
But perhaps the most charming offerings are the ones you’d least expect. Three levels of adult ballet, from true beginner to advanced, draw everyone from retirees to young professionals. A unique “Dancers Returning to Training” class even caters to those who hung up their shoes years ago and feel the itch to return. On any given week, you might find Broussard’s students performing at a senior center, an elementary school, or the annual Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival, weaving dance into the very fabric of community life.
The Intensive Powerhouse: Perry City Ballet Academy
A short drive away, a different energy takes over. The Perry City Ballet Academy (PCBA), founded in 2003 by former Cincinnati Ballet soloist Margaret Chen-Lewis, is where classical rigor meets professional ambition. This is the place for dancers who live and breathe ballet, where the air smells faintly of rosin and the sound of a pianist’s scales is the constant soundtrack.
Chen-Lewis instilled a Vaganova-based method, infused with American style, from day one. Admission after age 10 requires passing a placement class—a clear signal that this is for the committed. The academy’s crown jewel is its Pre-Professional Track, where a select group of 35-40 students train 15-20 hours each week. Their days are filled with technique, pointe, variations, and even pas de deux. Every year, the studio brings in guest artists from companies like Houston Ballet and BalletX for a masterclass series, giving students a taste of the professional world without leaving home.
The proof is in the outcomes. Since 2018, seven students have landed trainee or second-company contracts with regional and mid-sized companies, and more are now in BFA programs at top universities like Florida State and Southern Methodist. The atmosphere? Current families call it “disciplined but not cold.” Expectations are sky-high, but the faculty’s investment in each dancer is palpable.
Finding Your Fit: Two Philosophies, One Goal
So, which path is right? It depends entirely on the dancer.
LSD’s Denise Broussard fosters a “well-rounded artist,” blending classical training with versatility and community connection. Her graduates often continue dance in college through minors or club teams, carrying forward a lifelong passion.
PCBA’s Margaret Chen-Lewis is laser-focused on “building the instrument.” Her academy is for dancers with a clear physical aptitude for ballet, who thrive on structure and aspire to pre-professional or professional careers.
Both schools, in their own way, are proving that you don’t need a metropolitan address to receive world-class dance training. You just need the right teachers, the right community, and the heart to pursue the work.
In Perry City, the barre is more than a piece of wood—it’s a launching pad. And for the dancers who train here, the leap is absolutely worth it.
