brenda core, owner & director

Brenda graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance. She is registered with the professional organization Yoga Alliance and is a certified RYT 200 Yoga Teacher. Brenda has performed with the LSU Dance Theater and Ballet Ensemble, the USL Repertory Dance Concert and Moving South Dance Company. She served as director of the children’s ensemble for the Moscow Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker. Brenda has worked as a choreographer for numerous theatrical productions including the Acadia Players productions of Godspell and Cinderella, Notre Dame High School’s production of Annie, Burin Martin’s Southeastern Theatrical Company musicals and St. Michael Elementary School’s annual Faith Rally. Brenda was recognized as the Outstanding Citizen in her vocation, and was the recipient of the Crowley Rotary Club’s Vocational Service Award and has served as the choreographer chairperson for Dancing with the Stars of Crowley for four seasons. She is an active member of the Grand Opera House of the South's Board of Directors.

Emma Hanks, Instructor

Emma Hanks is from Crowley, LA where her journey in dance began at Core Dance Center. With a diverse background in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, modern, and hip-hop, Emma honed her skills through years of dedication and commitment.

Currently, Emma is pursuing a Bachelor of Performing Arts degree with a concentration in dance at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Her academic and practical experiences have further enriched her dance repertoire and deepened her understanding of the performing arts.

Emma has also made significant contributions as a choreographer. She has worked on local productions such as the Rice City Players' performances, "Nunsense," and Dancing with the Stars events in Crowley and St. Edmund High School.

Her ultimate goal as a teacher at Core Dance Center is to inspire a passion and drive for dance in each of her students, sharing her love for the art form and helping them achieve their own dance goals.

Shelby moore, Instructor

Shelby Moore is from West Monroe, LA where she began her dance training at a young age. She studied multiple genres of dance including ballet, modern, jazz, and ballroom. She continued her training at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where she received a BFA in Performing Arts with a concentration in Dance. She participates as a contributing artist with the local dance collective S.P.A.C.E Lafayette. While studying at UL, Shelby’s piece Nephros was chosen to be adjudicated at The American College Dance Association Southern Conference. She is currently working as a performer and dance educator in the Lafayette area and is The Company Director at Core Dance Center in Crowley, LA.

Madilyn cashio, Instructor

Madilyn is a performer, choreographer, and instructor based in the Lafayette and Baton Rouge regions. Her artistic journey began as a full-time trainee at the Joffrey Ballet School in Texas. She earned a BFA in Performing Arts from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She continued her studies with Gibney Winter Intensive, SALT Contemporary Dance Festival, LED and Doug Varone. She’s had the opportunity to work with Gina Aswell, Paige Barnett , Brian Stevenson’s Regenerative Beings Dance Company and Ten Tiny Dances. She will be performing in New Orleans this fall at International Dance Festival.

Currently, Cashio is co-founder of GroCo-llective, a dance collective focused on GROwing COmmunity and artists seeking to cultivate innovative opportunities.

ANGELINA BOUNYASENG, INSTRUCTOR

Angelina Bounyaseng is a native of Youngsville, Louisiana, and began dancing at 10 years old. She graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor of Performing Arts degree with a concentration in dance from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

As a teacher at Core Dance Center, Angelina hopes to encourage young dancers in their passion for dance and help them further their love and knowledge for the art.