Artistic Director
Faculty
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Artistic Director
Erika Young graduated Cum Laude from Kent State University in 2004 with a B.F.A. in Dance Education (K-12) and a B.A. in Marketing. While at Kent State, she was a member of the Kent Dance Ensemble, the Recipient of the NDA Outstanding Dance Major Award, and the Eugenia V. Erdmann Award for excellence in Dance Education. Upon graduation, Erika moved to New York City to pursue a performance career where she studied at Dance New Amsterdam, formerly The Dance Space Center. Also while in NYC, Erika studied with world renowned Modern choreographers and teachers such as Alexandra Beller, Lisa Race, and Sean Curran.
Upon returning home, Erika returned to Dance Academy South where she continued to explore her passion for teaching. She currently splits her time between hairdressing and teaching dance where she explores her creative side through both avenues. Erika also serves as Artistic Director for the Manchester Dance Ensemble.
Founding Artistic Director, Owner
Lesa R. Broadhead, formerly of Wilmington, North Carolina, received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance/Drama from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina, and a Master of Fine Arts in Choreography/Performance from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
Previously, Mrs. Broadhead performed with the Atlanta Ballet II, Dallas Concert Ballet, Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre, and the Baton Rouge Little Theatre. She directed the ballet degree program at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, and Huntingdon College/Montgomery School of Fine Arts, in Montgomery, Alabama. In Ohio, she has taught and choreographed at Kent State University, Wadsworth School of Classical Ballet, Northeast Ohio Dance Ensemble, Manchester School of Classical Ballet, and The University of Akron. She has performed with the Cleveland Opera, Lorain Community College, and the United Methodist Church of Kent, where she performs and directs liturgical dance. In 1995, Mrs. Broadhead was a guest artist in contemporary dance at De Montfort University, in Bedford, England.
Mrs. Broadhead founded the Manchester Dance Ensemble in 1996, with incorporation and 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit status in 1999. In September 2000, Mrs. Broadhead, with the support of her family, opened Dance Academy South where she continues to share her God given gift of dance with so many as teacher, choreographer, and founding artistic director.
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Erika R. Young, B.F.A.
Lesa R. Broadhead
Founding Artistic Director, Owner