Artistic Director

Cynthia Koehler, B.A.

Cynthia recently graduated magna cum laude from Point Park University with a BA in dance performance. While at Point Park she got the opportunity to perform with the Playhouse Dance Company a number of times including performances as a soloist and a principle dancer. Her most memorable opportunities are learning Serenade from Darla Hoover, a member of the Balanchine Trust; and performing Agnes DeMille’s Rodeo, staged by Paul Sutherland.

Upon her graduation, Cynthia spent the summer in Nashville, TN dancing with the artistic staff of the Nashville Ballet.

Cynthia is excited to get the opportunity to return to her roots of Dance Academy South, recently accepting the position of Artistic Director. She hopes to be able to pass on her passion for dance to the young students of Dance Academy South just as Mrs. Broadhead did for her while she was a student.

Founding Artistic Director, Owner

Lesa Broadhead

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.

Cynthia Koehler, B.A.

Lesa R. Broadhead

Founding Artistic Director, Owner