Diana Madrigal-Barnitz (Artistic Director) began her training at the Myra Mier School of Ballet under the direction of Myra Mier at the age of 3. After many years of training, Diana joined the Jefferson Ballet Theatre where she performed many roles, including Spanish Coffee from The Nutcracker, Jeremy Fisher from Tales of Beatrix Potter, Summer Fairy from Cinderella, and Wicked Stepmother from Hansel and Gretel. She spent her summers studying with several distinguished teachers of the dance community, including Edward Villella, Anna-Marie Holmes, Susan Anderson, Marcus Alford, Stanislav Issaev, and Cindy Flach to name a few.

At the age of 15, Diana started her instructor training in the Vaganova Method under Myra Mier and in 2016 completed her training with Mr. John White and Mrs. Margarita de Saa White of the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet. In 2020 she received her certification in the Cuban Ballet Teaching Methodology under the direction of Laura Alonso and Reynaldo Muniz Delgado. Diana attended Loyola University New Orleans where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations with a minor in Marketing. After graduation, Diana worked with Centerplate at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and Smoothie King Arena as Suite Sales Executive Assistant. She coordinated many events including, NCAA Final Four, Sugar Bowl, BCS Championship, and Super Bowl XLVII.

In the fall of 2013, Diana rejoined the dance community by opening the doors to The Studio School of Dance. As a teacher and coach, her students have been accepted to pre-professional summer intensive programs that include Houston Ballet, Orlando Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Boston Ballet, The Rock School for Dance Education and American Ballet Theatre. Diana’s students have also participated in internationally renowned ballet competitions such as Youth American Grand Prix, Valentina Kozlova International Ballet Competition and World Ballet Competition. Diana’s ensemble work titled, Ave Maria, placed top 12 in the Dallas Regional YAGP, making it The Studio’s first nationally recognized choreography.

In the fall of 2017, Diana founded NOLA DANCE PROJECT, a non-profit youth dance company with a mission to enhance and enrich the local dance community. With its creation, Diana has explored the idea of choreography and has premiered three unique works entitled, Ballet Sinfonia, The Stories of Mother Goose and Chromatics, Milonga, Four Seasons.

Derwin May Jr. was raised in Jackson, Mississippi where he was introduced to performing arts at a young age. He later pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Dance at Belhaven University studying classical ballet and contemporary where he received the Daniel Award for Outstanding Achievement. During his time at Belhaven, he performed several guest artists’ works from choreographers such as Ryan Corriston of Doug Varone and Dancers, Vincent Hardy of Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and Bobby Wesner of Neos Dance Theatre. He also performed several historical works such as Songs of the Disinherited by Donald McKayle and Negro Spirituals by Helen Tamiris. During his time at Belhaven, he traveled to workshops and conventions where he received hip-hop training from well-acclaimed choreographers such as Sean Bankhead, Ki Ely, and Jungle Boogie.

Derwin has used his training to offer the first adult-level pre-professional and professional hip-hop lessons at Epic Dance and Fitness Studio in Ridgeland, Mississippi. Derwin has also used his performing arts education to choreograph works for various social events, ministry, and outreach programs: such as the Young, Gifted, and Empowered Gala, Women Rock Awards, Autism Awareness Gala, and Shining Light Ministries. Derwin traveled to Malawi, Africa in the summer of 2017 with the Kinetic Etchings Dance Project to teach and perform with the African Bible College and Salama Africa Dance group.

As a member of the Marigny Opera Ballet, he created a new full-length Big Easy Award-winning contemporary ballet inspired by Shakespeare’s A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream for the company. He continues to grow and use his experiences as his inspiration on stage and within his choreography. Derwin is excited for what is to come in his journey.

Elizabeth Birkel started learning dance at the young age of 18 months old. Throughout her childhood and teen years, her passion grew, and she knew she would be dancing for the rest of her life. As she began college at Southeastern Louisiana University, she also first began teaching. Her many years as a class assistant and teacher taught her many skills she could use to educate and guide the youth of dance. During her college years, she continued to study dance as she minored in dance and was a part of Dance Performance Project, the contemporary dance program’s company at Southeastern Louisiana University.

She was taught several different styles during her time there. During her last year, she was appointed the First Ambassador of the Dance Performance Project. This taught her many skills in directing shows, coordinating rehearsals, and several “behind-the-scenes” skills. To complete her minor, she put together her Senior Thesis Concert, which reflected her years of education and what dance truly meant to her. While performing and learning in college, she was also teaching in St. Charles Parish. Since graduating, Elizabeth has truly found her home at The Studio School of Dance. Here, she is able to artistically express herself through the amazing dancers she teaches. She is excited to continue to share her passion, dedication, and knowledge of dance with generations to come!

Connie Bourgoyne (Tumbling) is a former gymnast and cheerleader. She attended Southern Indiana Gymnastics. Connie started her career as an instructor in 1988 where she worked in after-school gymnastics recreation programs and Tumblebus in New Albany Indiana. In 1993 she started teaching at Tops Gymnastics in La Place, La. In 1995 Connie was invited to Indianapolis, In to participate in an ad hoc committee to develop the Kinder Accreditation for Teachers. There she became the first KAT accredited instructor in the state. Connie launched her own Tumblebus in 1997 and also began teaching tumbling for St Charles Parish Community Education. From 2012 to 2021 Connie has been the tumbling instructor and also the 20-21 studio operating manager at Dancetera in Norco. She is certified in Safety/Risk Management through USA Gymnastics and has completed the MELPD and Preschool Fundamentals Theory. We are thrilled to have her join our staff this year.

Peter Barnitz (Artisrt in Residence/Production Manager) is a contemporary painter, sculptor, and installation artist. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (2004) from Loyola University of New Orleans and his Master of Fine Arts degree (2011) from the University of New Orleans. He currently works as the resident artist and head varsity basketball coach at Kenner Discovery Health and Sciences Academy High School. In 2012, he established the Barnitz Academy of Fine Arts at The Studio School of Dance, where he instructs art workshops for children and adults. In 2014, Mr. Barnitz was appointed to the Kenner Rivertown Arts Council, where he serves as the Chairman. His exhibition portfolio spans both nationally and internationally in more than 40 select exhibitions (solo, group, collaborative). He was born and raised in Metairie, LA, and currently lives and works out of his home studio in Kenner, LA.

Since 2013, Mr. Barnitz has worked with his wife Diana Madrigal-Barnitz as a stage, production, and facility manager of The Studio School of Dance. Mr. Barnitz has created the sets for Dolle Shoppe, The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Ave Maria, Hoe Down, Mother Goose, Chromatics, and Le Boutique over the years. Mr. Barnitz has also portrayed lead roles, such as the Nutcracker and Drosselmeyer in the full-length ballet The Nutcracker