The Studio Of Classique Vibe
Our Teachers and staff
Mrs. Casey Marquar earned a BA in Dance from Belhaven College in Jackson MS. Her love of dance began at the age of 3 with the Arabesque School of Dance under the direction of Mrs. Karen Compretta. Her desire to excel in classical ballet led her to additional training with Mrs. Sharon Loiacano of the Coast Youth Ballet Academy where she became a Senior Company Member. While studying at CYBA she performed in “Giselle” with Ballet Hysell of New Orleans. She became a Senior Company Member of The Mobile Ballet performing numerous roles in “The Nutcracker” and featured roles in “The Sleeping Beauty”. Under scholarship, Casey received further training at Joffrey Ballet in New York. She had opportunities to study at Northwestern University of Chicago and Huntington College of Montgomery. While attending college Mrs. Marquar performed and toured with Ballet Magnificat! as a Company Member. After graduation Casey moved to Orlando FL where she accepted a role at Universal Studios. Upon resigning, she joined the cast of the award-winning production of “The Festival of The Lion King” at the Walt Disney World Resort for 3 years. She also performed in the televised “Mickey’s Christmas Spectacular Parade” and “Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Parade”. While dancing at WDW Casey was part of the opening cast of “The Trolley Show” in the Magic Kingdom. She was selected to entertain at many conventions and conferences; and had opportunities with Orlando Magic and Norwegian Cruise Line. In 2013, she was awarded the “Marjorie Perry” award from Dance Makers Inc. for making a positive impact on the dance community through outstanding leadership and kindness. Casey returned home to Waveland MS fulfilling her dream to teach and inspire her love of dance to a new generation.
Mrs. Casey Bernard Marquar
Owner / Artistic Director
Mrs. Betsy Harvill
Ballet and Pointe
Betsy Ray Harvill, born and raised in Thibodaux, LA began her dance training in 1982 at age 4. Her training began under the instruction of Andrea Necaise of the Washington Ballet and Acadia Classical Ballet Co. In 1985 she began studying at Margo Battaglia Studio of Danse where she became a Senior Company member of Ballet Unlimited and was blessed to play several lead roles in the yearly production of “A Spiritual Christmas.” Under dance scholarship, Betsy attended Belhaven College in Jackson, MS where she earned a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in dance. While pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Southern MS, Betsy continued to take additional ballet classes from Boris Subotich of the Kirov Ballet. After completing a MSW, Betsy moved to Virginia where she worked as a Licensed Clinical Therapist and taught classical ballet as a ministry of her church for two years. Betsy is BLESSED to be married with three precious children and resides in Kiln, MS.
Mrs. Abbie Schmitt
Ballet and Pointe
Abbie Schmitt, a native of Bay St. Louis, began her dance training in 1982. She studied classical ballet from 1990 to 1999. Abbie attended summer dance workshops in Pensacola, Florida and took classes with Mobile Ballet Company. She was accepted to the summer dance program, American Ballet Theatre in New York and the Moscow Ballet of Russia. She was awarded a scholarship to the Rock School in Pennsylvania. She danced the roll of Clara for two years in the Nutcracker Production, and was a guest artist for Ballet Theatre South’s Nutcracker production and performed the role Arabian Princess. Abbie has studied dance education at the University of Southern Mississippi and was a member of the Dixie Darlings dance team. She has taught ballet under Kelly Pisarich at the Diamondhead Dance Academy for five years. Abbie works with Memorial Hospital at Gulfport as a registered Cardiac and Vascular Sonographer.
Mrs. Katelyne Martinez
Tumbling
Katelyne has been cheering and dancing since the age of 8. At age 15, she was a member of the senior elite competition team for both cheerleading and dancing. During high school, Mrs. Katelyne was awarded UCA cheerleader, and was invited to perform during the halftime show at the Sugar Bowl. She has assisted multiple cheer camps for local schools across the Gulf Coast. She is a former dancer of Classique Vibe, and currently resides in Abita Springs, Louisiana where she and her husband take care of their three beautiful children.
Ms. Ally Gaspard
Jazz and Company
Ally Gaspard, an alum of The Studio of Classique Vibe, has been dancing since she was 18 months old. Throughout her life, she has trained under various directors in all genres of dance. Ally has danced competitively, winning numerous awards and scholarships. In 2015, she had the honor of performing with Singer Rochelle Harper at “The Covey Awards.” Ally is a 2017 graduate from Our Lady Academy, where she was a cheerleader for 4 years. Following high school, she attended Pearl River Community College where she was part of the String of Pearls dance team for 2 1/2 years. While there, she served as captain. As a Pearl, Ally performed at football and basketball games along with competing at Nationals in Dallas, Texas. In 2019, she was asked to choregraph for the Picayune Junior High School dance team, as well as hosting a dance camp. Ally graduated from PRCC in December of 2019 with an Associates in Art (General Studies). She is currently working towards a degree in Elementary Education at the University of Southern Mississippi. Ms. Ally is excited to be back with the Vibe Tribe, hoping to inspire and share her love for dance with all students.
Momma Patti
Tap
Patti Ravain started her dance journey at the age of two at the Lea Brandin School of Dance in New Orleans, Louisiana. Affiliated with the studio for over 20 years, she received training in all genres of dance and began teaching at ten years old. During this time, she further enhanced her training through attending numerous Dance Masters of America (DMA) conventions and studying two summers in New York City. While in New York, she worked under the direction of several acclaimed artists, including Broadway dancer and choreographer, Peter Gennaro, ballet great, Igor Yauskevitch, the principal of the New York City Ballet Company, Pat Wild, and Russian ballet teacher Maria Nelveska of Carnegie Hall. Throughout the 1950’s, she performed with the Lea Brandin Dancers as lead soloist at many New Orleans’ events and conventions, including the major productions sponsored by the various carnival organizations at the Municipal Auditorium. Taking time out to marry and rear a family, Ms. Ravain never left dance. Her love of dance and teaching led her to volunteer her time and services for over a decade at the Academy of Holy Angels. There, she choreographed and taught the musical numbers for productions of Oliver, Carnival, and The Boyfriend and musical class productions for the yearly talent show through 1980. During the 1980s, she taught classes at Kelly Lynn Fitness Center. For the last twenty-five years, she has taught tap and jazz to “seniors” over fifty, choreographing a year end performance at the Peoples Program in New Orleans. Experienced in teaching all ages from two to ninety, she came to the Studio of Classique Vibe in August 2016. She is totally devoted to her mission of sharing her knowledge and skill, passing it on to anyone who wants to learn.
Mrs. Callie Huffman
Musical Theatre
Callie Huffman has been teaching dance since she was 16 years old. After her first year of watching students fall in love with ballet, she knew she would never do anything but teach. Being blessed to have opportunities to study under teachers with Joffrey Ballet, led Callie to dance with Ballet Tennessee during college. After school, many occasions to perform in and choreograph musicals for community and reparatory companies added an additional love to her life. Musical theatre brought an exciting contrast to ballet. After moving constantly for 13 years, Callie is extremely happy to call the Pass home and grateful to witness passions grow and develop in the dancers of The Studio of Classique Vibe.
