Galaxy of Dancers

   Delta Festival Ballet, New Orleans Youth Ballet and Giacobbe Academy of Dance continue to set the standard for dance excellence in the State of Louisiana. Joseph Giacobbe and Maria Giacobbe have both become internationally known for their skill as directors and as teachers. Their students often graduate with scholarships to major universities or positions with leading dance companies. The number of professional dancers whose careers were launched by Delta and the NOYB attests to the Giacobbes success. They include:

Eleanor Bernard - Principal, Montgomery Ballet

Marcie Campo - Soloist, Charleston Ballet Theatre

Margot de La Barre - Singing in the Rain, Hello Dolly and Broadway’s South Pacific

Elizabeth Gilbreath - Apprentice, Ballet Austin, certified Pilates instructor

Laura Gilbreath - Corps de Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet

Kurt Gorrell - National tour of Contact and Nashville Ballet

Tobin Eason - Corps de Ballet, American Ballet Theatre

Jerel Hilding - Dance Director of University of Kansas - former Soloist with Joffrey Ballet

Patrick Howell – Principal, Milwaukee Ballet - former Soloist with Ballet Met & Northern Ballet Theatre

Jason Lacayo - musicals such as Contact, Kiss of the Spider Woman and Most Happy Fella

Simeon Long - Ballett Shindowski

Erin Monteleone - Celebrity Cruise Lines

Carli Neumann - Phantom of the Opera

Jamie Neumann - Off-Broadway plays such as A Taste of Honey.

Gretchen Newburger - Principal with Zurich Ballet - former Soloist with National Ballet of Canada and London Festival Ballet

Denise Pons Leone - Boston Ballet, White Oak Project, Faculty of Boston Ballet and Boston Conservatory

Jacquelyn Reyes - Corps de Ballet, American Ballet Theatre

Janie Taylor - Principal, New York City Ballet

Janessa Touchet - Principal, Cincinnati Ballet, Finalist in 2006 International Ballet Competition

Jessica Touchet - Soloist, Smuin Ballet - formerly with La JAZDANZ and Faculty member of Cincinnati Ballet School

Laurie Volny - Dance Captain of Phantom of the Opera - former Soloist with Houston Ballet

Delta Festival Ballet
Post Office Box 7425  Metairie, Louisiana 70010  Phone (504)888-0931  Fax (504)888-0941