LORI J. CANOVA
Owner
LORI CANOVA is the owner & director of Lori’s School of Dance. She has owned successful dance schools in the Baton Rouge and Ascension area since 1996. Miss Lori received her teaching certificate from Jan LeBlanc in 1989 & in 1990 was certified to teach through Dance Masters of America. The wealth of experience and knowledge Miss Lori brings to each class is incomparable. She continues to travel both regionally and nationally to further her dance education, attending dance conventions & workshops from well-known teachers and choreographers. Miss Lori has a passion for health and fitness, and recently achieved a personal goal of becoming an IFBB Women’s Physique Professional Bodybuilder. Her integration of fitness into traditional methods of dance has helped dancers at Lori’s School of Dance become stronger and more efficient athletes. Miss Lori’s students have gone on to dance professionally, as both performers and teachers.
ANNIE JONES
Studio Director
ANNIE JONES is originally from Clinton, Missouri, but has been teaching at Lori’s School of Dance since she moved to Louisiana in 2007. As a young dancer she was awarded scholarships to study at New Mexico Ballet Theatre in Albuquerque, NM, Steps on Broadway, Joffrey Ballet, & Broadway Dance Center in New York City. She was a competition kid, earning the title of Teen Miss Dance & Miss Dance through Dance Masters of America. Annie earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Stephens College in Columbia, MO in May 2007. While at Stephens, she had the opportunity to take classes from many respected dance professionals, attend American College Dance Festival, and study various styles of dance including ballet, modern, tap, jazz, West African, Irish step, Flamenco, and East Indian (Bollywood). After graduation, she moved to Baton Rouge to perform professionally with the Cangelosi Dance Project. She is blessed to be able to share her lifelong passion for dance with kids and adults at Lori’s School of Dance.
KAITLYN KELLY
Instructor
KAITLYN MARIE KELLY is a life-long dancer of LSoD, since the age of 2! Kaitlyn was a member of the LSoD competition team for 8 years, and also demonstrated and served as an assistant teacher. Kaitlyn graduated from LSU with her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in dance! She will begin grad school at LSU this Fall, as part of the Master of Science in Child and Family Studies program with a concentration in Child Life. As both a soloist and group performer, Kaitlyn has won several high scores and special judges awards. Although tap and musical theater may be her favorites, Kaitlyn is a versatile dancer and has experience in many genres. She has attended various dance conventions, taken classes from master teachers in NYC, and continues to grow as a teacher and dancer through conventions and dance courses at LSU. Her choreography has won several awards at competition, and Kaitlyn is very excited at the opportunity to continue to share her love of dance with the students at LSoD!
AUDREY BUVENS
Instructor
AUDREY BUVENS spent 15 years at Lori’s School of Dance as a student, where she was on our competition team and a class demonstrator & assistant teacher. As a competitive soloist, Audrey won several high score and special judges’ awards. Audrey has now been teaching and choreographing at Lori’s for 7 years. Her award-winning competition choreography has been recognized with many specialty and high score awards. Audrey currently works full time as a Pediatric Registered Dietitian.
LAILA PITRE
Instructor
LAILA PITRE began dancing at LSoD at age 5 and was a member of the competition team. As a student, Laila loved attending several conventions and competitions, earning scholarships, high scores, and judges' choice awards. She graduated from Dutchtown High School, where she was a member of the Griffin Girl Dance Team, serving leadership roles during her junior and senior year. She has been a part of several dance teams from middle school up to the collegiate level at Loyola University New Orleans and Louisiana State University, where she was a member of the Golden Girls for 3 years. She graduated from LSU with her Bachelor's degree in May 2024 and is working towards her Master’s degree from Southern University in Speech-Language Pathology. Laila is excited to continue her LSoD journey as an instructor and continue pushing and inspiring her students.
IZZY NAQUIN
Instructor
IZZY NAQUIN started dance when she was 3 years old. She danced at DeFrances Academy of Dance for 10 years and Evolve 26 for 2 years. At DeFrances, Izzy was a member of their competitive team, Dance Force, for 7 years. She graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy and was a member of the SJA Red Steppers for 3 years. Izzy is currently at LSU and majoring in kinesiology. She is so excited to continue her journey of teaching at LSoD and share her love for dance with all her students.
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BRIAN WATSON
Instructor
BRIAN L. WATSON II is a choreographer, dancer and actor. He is known for his work on Pitch Perfect 2 "The Singboks," A&E Network Breakout Kings and working with r&b and pop musician Justin Garner. Brian has campaigned with LuluLemon the brand and LPB tv series ZiggyArts. Brian has worked with dance legends such as Debbie Allen, Aakomon Jones and Terry Beeman. He helped co cast and choreograph talent for Lil Wayne's Monday night Football Genesis half time commercial, Boots Riley Comedy series I'm A Virgo, LSU Orchestra and LSU Tiger Girls. He's co owner and creative director of a dance studio called, "Hip Hop X Dance Company in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
PATRA MELCHIOR
Instructor
Patra Melchior is from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She has been apart of Lori’s school of Dance since 2002! She competed on the competition team for 11 years, was a class demonstrator, and assistant teacher. Patra loved attending several conventions and competitions, earning scholarships, high scores, and meeting friends in the dance world! She graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. During that time, she began teaching at Lori’s School of Dance where she enjoys continuing the traditions of the studio. Patra is currently a Biology Teacher at East Ascension High School. She is so excited to continue her journey of teaching at LSoD and share her love for dance with all her students.