Desiree Wardsworth, Artistic Director
Ms. Wardsworth has a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre from the University of New Orleans (UNO) and a Master’s in Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University. She has been featured in the UNO productions of “True Confessions of a Go Go Girl” and “As You Like It.” Ms. Wardsworth’s training includes scholarship awards with the Boston Ballet School, School of American Ballet, Joffrey Ballet School, Universal Ballet Academy, and the Bolshoi Academy at Vail. Her professional experience includes the esteemed companies Ballet Met, New York Theatre Ballet, Ballet USA, Louisiana Dance Theatre, Zhoux Zhoux Dance Theatre, Delta Festival Ballet, New Orleans Ballet Ensemble, and Ballet Hysell. Ms. Wardsworth received instruction in teaching dance from Dena Moss of the Joffrey Ballet School, and later taught at New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, New Orleans Dance Academy, Fellom Ballet, Tangipahoa Parish Schools, Jefferson Parish Schools, and numerous dance schools from New York to Louisiana. Her goal is to provide quality instruction that brings glory to God.
Artie Fellom Gautier, Advisory Director
Artie has been involved in education and the arts for 57 years. Her years of experience and knowledge include a Master’s Degree from Southeastern in Health Studies and Physical Education. She holds Louisiana Lifetime Certification in Music, Dance, and Theatre Arts. She is teaching in public education at Independence Leadership Academy and loves working with children. Her greatest desire is to please God, learn to love more, and show kindness. Her sons and daughter and their families continue to be her greatest blessing. I thank God for everything in my life and thank you for allowing me to touch your children through classical ballet. Go with God.
Cynthia Fellom Tricou, Advisory Director
Cynthia Fellom Tricou co-founded Fellom Ballet School in 1965 with her two sisters, Artie & Martie. Cynthia has studied and taught dance for the past 57 years. She received a doctoral degree from the University of Northern Colorado after earning three degrees from Southeastern Louisiana University, where she taught 25+ years becoming a full professor as well as the Laboratory School Director. She also taught over 20 years in local public and private schools. She has been an active member of the First United Methodist Church for over 60 years, where she was Sunday school teacher, youth leader, & children's choir director. Cynthia says, "I can't take one breath, much less one step without my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." She dances for Jesus as often as she can and hopes to dance until the day she dies.
Martie Fellom, Advisory Director
professor in the Fine and Performing Arts Department at Southeastern Louisiana University, received her Ph.D. in Performance Studies from New York University in 1985 and, and while at NYC, she was a Shubert Fellow. This is her 28th year at Southeastern. Dr. Fellom currently holds the title Woman's Hospital Endowed Professor in Humanities. She received the President's Award for Excellence in Artistic Activity at Southeastern in 1995 and was the recipient of the 1993-94 Louisiana Dance Educator of the Year Award presented by the Louisiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (LAHPERD). Dr. Fellom has been on the Board of Directors for the American College Dance Festival Association (ACDFA) for two terms. She was the 1998 recipient of the Dance Award presented by the Hammond Regional Arts Center and co-recipient with Fellom Ballet in 2000. One of her favorite quotes is “To dance is to live.”