SDA's Faculty

CLASSROOM ASSISTANTS

Gabriela Bendele
Amy Burke
Emily Burke
Cailee Clarke
Chelsea Cockburn
Claire Cook

Kendra Feazel Meiki
Owner/Director of Shreveport Dance Academy

A third generation native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Mrs. Meiki began her dance training in 1982. She assumed the position of artistic director of the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet in 2001. Her formal training began under the direction of Marion Mills, former director of the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet, as well as various workshops, offered by world-renowned masters such as Jilana, David Howard, Ekatrina Maximova throughout the years. Kendra has performed with the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet since 1985 and as a principal dancer since 1994. Kendra has danced principal roles in many classical ballets, such as, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Gaite Parisienne, Cinderella, Swan Lake, Coppelia, Rodeo, Giselle, Pas de Quatre, Les Sylphides, Stars and Stripes, Graduation Ball, and Firebird.

Mrs. Meiki has over 13 years teaching experience in the Shreveport/Bossier area. In 1999, Kendra focused her energies towards becoming an accomplished teacher and choreographer, when she became owner/director of Shreveport Dance Academy, where she insists on quality dance instruction for all ages. In 2005, Shreveport Dance Academy broadened its horizons by forming a group of Competition/Performance Ensembles for jazz and tap. Since their beginnings, the ensembles have swept the competitions winning gold, platinum, and critic’s choice awards. Kendra served as Rehearsal Assistant for the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet from 1999-2001. In 2001 she assumed the position of Artistic Director of the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet. She is a registered Teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance of London, one of only a handful within the state. Kendra Meiki is currently a Certificate of Ballet Teaching Studies Mentor for the Royal Academy of Dance and is a Practical Teaching Supervisor for two aspiring teachers. She served as a faculty member (2003-2004) of the Kinesiology and Health Science Department at LSU- Shreveport. Kendra is pursing advanced training with the Royal Academy of Dance.

Since 2001, she has established herself as a prominent member of the Shreveport arts community, demonstrating her commitment to the future of dance thru new work and education. Kendra has been most noted in the Shreveport community for Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet’s collaboration with the Shreveport Symphony in its new works of Snow White in 2003 and Wizard of Oz in 2006.

Kendra Meiki is the adored wife Gabe Meiki, and the Mother of two beautiful children, Jordan Grace and Christian Gabriel.

KEELEY LARNED PRATT was born and raised in Plano, Texas, where she studied dance for thirteen years with Dianna Nelson and Kim Heinschield. She received a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with emphasis on art, dance, and music from Centenary College in May of 2001. While at Centenary, Keeley served three years as the president of the Escaped Images Dance Company, was a member and captain of the Leading Ladies Danceline, and performed with the Centenary College Choir all four years. During her time in the choir, she represented Centenary on international trips to South Africa and England, in addition to entertaining the President of the United States at the White House. Since graduating, she has choreographed the Shreveport Opera’s production of Sussanah and Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Sorcerer. She also produced, directed, and choreographed Cope Middle School’s That Cougar Beat as part of a grant project for the Bossier Arts Council. Keeley also completed a grant for the Shreveport Regional Arts Council, where she taught dance to fifth graders in three local schools. She served as the director of the Centenary Leading Ladies Danceline for five years and is the Financial Aid Assistant at Centenary College. Keeley is completing her fourth year of dance instruction in both tap and jazz at Shreveport Dance Academy and has almost seven years of overall teaching experience. In addition, she is responsible for choreographing the studio’s three tap ensemble groups. Keeley is married to Centenary alum and current Assistant Athletic Director/Sports Information Director David Pratt. They have a wonderful daughter named Addison Lynn, who is almost two years old, and they are expecting their second child in August.

Jennifer Arant

Jennifer Arant began dancing at age 6 at the Theater School of Dance under the direction of Marion Mills. She danced her first Nutcracker with Ballet Lyrique, which later became known as the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet. Jennifer was a principal dancer with SMB from 1986-1990, dancing in ballets such as Coppelia, Swan Lake, Giselle, Graduation Ball and Cinderella. She also danced numerous roles in The Nutcracker which included “Clara” in 1984. Jennifer served on the Board of Directors of the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet since 2004. She also works part-time as an Occupational Therapist for Early Steps. Jennifer is the proud mother of three beautiful children: Camille, Lauren and Reid. One of her greatest joys is watching her daughters dance.

Elizabeth Aillet Morales

Elizabeth Aillet Morales, a Shreveport native, began her dance training at the age of 5 and continued to graduate with a B.F.A. in Dance Performance from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. After graduation, Elizabeth moved to New York City where she spent 5 years in the Big Apple. While in New York, she worked for Carnival Cruise Lines, was a back up dancer for and up and coming recoding artist, and performed in many independent shows and venues. New York City is also where she met her wonderful husband, Mike Morales.

Elizabeth is completing her 2nd year of teaching Jazz, Hip Hop, and Pilates at Shreveport Dance Academy and has almost 10 years of overall teaching experience. She is also responsible for coaching and choreographing for the Jazz Ensembles of Shreveport Dance Academy and is also Production Director for the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet.

In September, Shreveport Dance Academy will welcome Elizabeth and Mike’s first child, Mikayla Elizabeth.

Blair Bryson

Blair Bryson received her training from Marion Mills, Adrienne Brooks, Kendra Meiki, and Joseph Giacobbe, among others. She has completed all major RAD exams and is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance. She has attended numerous summer workshops around the United States, and was able to observe classes at School of American Ballet in New York this spring. Blair has performed with the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet since 1988. A graduate of Centenary College and LSU School of Dentistry, she practices dentistry in Shreveport.

Emily Young

          Emily Young began her dance training at the age of three with Dance Arts Studio where she studied under the direction of Frank Vega and Aaron Girlinghouse. She began studying with the Shreveport Dance Academy in 2004 where she received training under Kendra Meiki, Adrienne Brooks, Kathryn Drake, and Elizabeth Morales. She joined the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet in 2005. Emily has also participated in the Shreveport Dance Academy summer workshops where she received a scholarship in 2004 and Jazz dancer of the year in 2008.
          Emily will be dancing her fourth season with SMB this year. In years past she has performed numerous roles in Ballet Under the Stars, The Nutcracker, Wizard of Oz, Cinderella and Coppelia. She also loves jazz and lyrical and is a member of the Shreveport Dance Academy Senior Jazz Ensemble.
          Emily graduated from Captain Shreve High School in 2008 and will be joining the SDA faculty as well as continuing her dance training.