Instructor
April LaCour
My lifetime love with dance began 30 years ago. I danced at Sylvia Stewart Academy in Gadsden, Alabama for 9 years. Knowing my passion to dance and watching my talent grow, Sylvia referred me to Monica Barnett-Smith in Birmingham, Alabama. Without hesitation, I auditioned for Exclusively Ballet. At 14 I entered high school and took advantage of the Vocational Program. You study academics during the morning and afternoons are spent studying your soon to be career. During summers I attended The Alabama Ballet Summer Workshop Series in Gorham’s Bluff, Alabama. Upon graduation from high school, The University of Southern Mississippi offered a scholarship in dance. At USM, I danced at ACDF (American College Dance Festival) each year. The artistic side of me wanted to complete my ballet degree, but my logical side told me to change my major to an academic study. I left USM in Hattiesburg and I returned to my native state, Alabama. I began teaching ballet at Strut USA Performing Arts, while earning my Bachelor of Science in Sociology at Jacksonville State University. For 5 years I was Artistic Director of the Dance Department at Strut USA, personally teaching 50 to 60 students daily and directing, choreographing and loving 250 students. Strut USA is a competitive performing arts school in Rainbow City, Alabama. During my time at Strut USA, I continued my dance education at workshops in Atlanta, Memphis, Birmingham, Nashville and Los Angeles. In Los Angeles, I had the pleasure of learning from the great Debbie Reynolds at her studio and many instructors at The Edge Dance Studio. I was actively involved in community theater and local art programs in the Gadsden and Birmingham area.
After graduation at age 24, I followed another dream in life, to live at the beach. I kissed my students goodbye and here I am. After 4 years with Green Acres Dance Academy in Robertsdale, Alabama, I took a year off of life to really listen to myself and do what my heart and soul are driven to do. I loved pilates and I loved ballet. I wanted to start a new exercise regime, built on the foundations of ballet, pilates, yoga and aromatherapy. I began my certification process for pilates and opened my new business. I currently practice yoga and aromatherapy but do not yet offer it as a class. I stick to the fundamentals of method pilates and classical ballet, but when I find a good yoga pose that flows with my class I use it. Aromatherapy is used in private appointments for an enhanced mind and body connection. I challenged myself and took the road less traveled many times in life and with God's help, my dreams have come true!
Live the life you love, love the life you live!
Qualification Records:
University of Southern Mississippi
Department of Dance Scholarship
Method Pilates Certification Information:
Certified by The Physical Mind Institute, New York, NY
Pilates Method Alliance Member
