Renee’ Oates Renee` is a graduate of Northwestern State University (2009) where she received her degree in Theatre with a concentration in Dance. Renee’ has been dancing since age three and competing since age six. She began choreographing her own solos at age 9, became an assistant teacher at age twelve and started leading her own classes at age eighteen. Renee’ was a member of the C.E. Byrd High School Danceline in Shreveport, LA and was the Captain of the team in 2004-2005. Renee’ moved to Natchitoches in 2005 to pursue her dance degree at NSU. Upon arrival, she began teaching at Susan Hussey’s School of Dance. Throughout her years of dance, Renee’ has had the opportunity to work and train with many amazing dancers and choreographers, including Mia Michaels, Savion Glover, and Anthony Russo, from the production of Tap Dogs. She has received training in tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, pointe, clogging, hip hop, modern, contemporary, swing, acrobatics, danceline, and cheer. Renee’ has had the opportunity to perform and compete at many venues, including the New York City Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Capital One Bowl in Orlando, the Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship sailing to the Bahamas, and numerous NSU Theatre and Dance productions. Renee’ has won many awards within the competition circuit as a soloist and group performer, including but not limited to, overall division titles, Best Costume Awards, and Starpower Power Pak Dancer. In 2007, while attending NSU and holding an officer position in the Kappa Iota Chapter of Phi Mu Fraternity, Renee’ opened the studio and founded the award-winning competition and performance team known as the “Show Stoppers“. The team performs and competes during the year within Louisiana and Texas. They have earned many prestigious awards, including the Star Dance Alliance Regional Champions Award at Revolution Talent and Starpower Talent, for being the highest scoring routine in their age division for the entire competition! Renee’ was an adjunct jazz instructor for the Creative and Performing Arts Department at NSU from 2010-2016. She was also the Demon Dazzler Danceline Director, from 2010-2020, preparing a team of dancers for football games, basketball games, pep rallies, recruiting events, and competitions. Renee’ has had the opportunity to work on a number of NSU productions such as the annual Christmas Gala and Dance Concert. She enjoys sharing her talent and love of dance with others and believes in giving every student the opportunities that she was given as a young dancer! In 2018, Renee’ opened the second studio campus in Stonewall in hopes of bringing the joy of dance to the youth of DeSoto Parish! In 2022, RDS was voted as a Top Studio in SB Magazine! Renee’, her husband, John, children Carson Ray, Emma Annabelle, and Magnolia Mae pour their hearts into the studio and they hope that everyone has the time of their life at Renee’s! Her advice to young dancers is to “Never give up, push yourself past your limits, & leave it on the dance floor! You will never know what you can accomplish if you do not try!”