Instructor

Mesha Rebstock

Teacher/Choreographer; Tap, Hip Hop, Jazz, & Contemporary

Mesha first started dancing at age 4 and has danced under the direction of Tiffany White, Raven Hunter, and Theresa Laussade, dancing competitively for over a decade. Mesha was an original member of the Hornets dance team “The Stingers” from 2014-2017, being coached by Dawn Richard of Danity Kane. She has also acted in and choreographed musicals for the Bayou Playhouse (Lockport) and Le Petite Theatre (Houma). While in college, Mesha taught for MBSD in Thibodaux. Mesha obtained her Masters degree in clinical mental health and is a licensed child and adolescent counselor. However, when propositioned by her dear friend Raven Hunter about returning to the dance studio, she could not resist. She’s been back at DWC since 2015 choreographing for the company in the styles of tap, jazz, hip hop, and contemporary. Despite where life has taken her, dance has always been a constant. Mesha specializes in tap and can be found shuffling under her desk at work.

She is married to Jacob, and together they have a son named Chord and a daughter, Sawyer, whom has been in the studio since the womb and is anticipating her DWC Company debut.

Emily Griffin

Teacher/Choreographer; All Styles

Emily began dancing at the age of three under the direction of Tiffany White, before continuing to dance for Raven Hunter and Rhiannon Toups. She started competition dancing at the age of 6. Her passion for dance continued in middle school where she was a part of the LCOMS Dance team and then the LCOMS Cheer Team. Following middle school, Emily decided to expand her dance education by joining the South Lafourche High School Tarponettes, where she served as captain for two out of her four years.

Emily was given the opportunity to share her passion for dance with other kids at a very young age. She first student taught under Raven for many years before being asked to become an instructor at the age of fifteen. She started her dream of teaching by instructing ballet and has continued to improve her abilities by now teaching ballet, jazz, and contemporary. She is so thankful to be able to share her passion of dance with future generations and loves every part of it.

Emily is currently attending Nicholls State University to get a degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in History and hopes to continue teaching dancing while pursuing her other passion.

Rhiannon Ballard Toups

Studio Director/Owner/Choreographer; All Styles

Rhiannon began dancing when she was 5 years old under the instruction of Tiffany White, before going on to dance for Raven Hunter at DanceWorks Center. She continued to dance in college under Mina Estrada, Susan Perlis, Blair Buras, Christine Chrest, and Claudio Ribeiro de Silva. She graduated from Louisiana State University in May of 2017 with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management and a minor in dance.

Rhiannon always knew that she wanted to return to DanceWorks Center after graduation. She is grateful that Raven welcomed her back with open arms and she enjoys every part of teaching, from the Tiny Dancers classes to the oldest Ballet class. Rhiannon says that as much as she enjoyed being a student, she enjoys teaching even more. Rhiannon is certified through Acrobatics Arts and Dance Teacher University.

Rhiannon is married to Justin Toups, who she says is the greatest thing that ever happened to her. They have one son, Brighton, who is the light of their world.

Ali Plaisance

Teacher/Choreographer; Tap

Ali began dancing at age 2 under the instruction of Tiffany Hymel before dancing for Raven Hunter and Rhiannon Toups at DanceWorks Center. She currently attends SLHS, where she is a class officer for the class of 2024, a section leader in the Pride of South Lafourche Marching Tarpon Band, and a student aide. She is also involved in the National Honor Society, Yearbook, and Student Leadership.

She entered the dance competition world through tap competition and ventured out to be a full company member including tap, hip hop, jazz, and contemporary. While she enjoys every style of dancing, tap has always been her favorite as she can be seen flapping around pretty much anywhere she goes. Before being presented the opportunity to become an instructor, she student taught various tap classes for many years under Raven and Mesha where she truly fell in love with getting to work with the younger kids. Through her student teaching, she learned that she not only wants to continue teaching dance for as long as she can but also plans to pursue a degree in Secondary Education.

Raven Pierce Hunter

Studio Director/Owner/Choreographer; All Styles

Raven began dancing at age 6, studying lyrical, tap and jazz dance for a decade under Toni Sphar and Tiffany White in Cut Off and Houma, La. She continued dancing in college under Sarah Stravinska and Kenneth Jenkins, earning a bachelor’s degree in performing arts with a concentration in dance from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. After college she entered an intensive study program at Duke University, where she learned from Pam Peitro, Robert Battle and Gerry Houlihan. Her tutelage under Battle continued in New York City, where she moved directly after the intensive program, and where she also learned from Jana Hicks and Kenny Larson. She is certified by Dance Teacher University, as well as Acrobatics Arts.

After dancing with the Fluid Edge Dance Company, Raven jumped at the opportunity to take over DanceWorks Center, and has found her calling in teaching. She believes that passion holds the secret to success, and her passion lies in dance.

Raven is married to Caleb Hunter, who she calls the “best husband in the world.” They have two sons, Kael and Koda.