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MEET OUR STAFF
SHARING OUR PASSIONS
Andrew Frey - Piano
Syreeta Neal - Voice & Piano
Dance & Physical Fitness Instructors:
Matthew Flynn - Beginning Boxing
Amber Sandifer - Musical Theatre
Shirley Clark - Sewing
Eran Bazzelle - Office Assistant
Tristen Hoffpauir - Office Assistant
Crystal Lemay - Program Director
Courtney Maciasz - Executive Director
Debbie Pier - Tesa's Place Supervisor
Tammy Yates - Bookkeeper
Music
Matthew Flynn: Boxing and Drum Instructor (Monday)
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Matthew is currently enrolled in UL in Lafayette where he drives in from the school one night a week to continue teaching his students his love of boxing and drums.
Matthew was born and raised in Erwinville, LA. Matthew has been a member of Boy Scouts since age 6. He earned his Eagle Rank on March 6, 2019. Matthew enjoys music, driving, gaming and hanging out with friends.
Andrew Frey: (Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
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Andrew began his piano journey 18 years ago at the Centre for the Arts, where he first started taking lessons. Over the years, he has bounced around to different programs and mentors, graduated from UL, and finally landed back at the Centre where he has been teaching for the past couple of years.
Eric Littleton: Drums (Tuesday)
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Jimmy Loreno: Guitar (Monday)
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Syreeta Neal: Voice, Ukelele, Piano, Group Music Class (Monday & Tuesday)
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Starr Grizaffi: Tumbling (Tuesday)
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Starr Grizaffi has been teaching children in either gymnastics, dance or physical education for the past 44 years. A former collegiate gymnast and cheerleader at College of DuPage in Illinois and member of the LSU dance theater group she brings her expertise in many forms to the Centre. Starr began teaching at the Centre in its beginnings many years ago, as well as a former member of our Board of Directors. Starr currently teaches physical education and health at Catholic Elementary for the past 26 years.
Tia Wade: Ballet, Tap, and Jazz (Wednesday)
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Matthew Flynn: Teen Theatre (Monday)
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Amber Sandifer: Musical Theatre (Monday)
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Mrs. Amber is so excited to be returning to The Centre for the Arts for the 26-27 school year! She has been involved at the Centre since 2018, teaching dance and musical theatre and directing summer camp musicals. She has also taught dance and musical theatre in the public school system for 10 years, grades K-12. Mrs. Amber has directed numerous productions and showcases all over the state over the past 25 years. Some of her favorites include, Matilda Jr., Newsies Jr. and Annie Jr. Mrs. Amber cannot wait for an amazing year at the Centre, inspiring and watching students grow and shine to their fullest potential!
Shirley Clark: Sewing Instructor (Tuesday and Wednesday)
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Shirley is from Baton Rouge, LA and has lived in Maringouin since 2013. She is a self-taught sewing teacher and currently teaches beginning sewing classes. She teaches how to use a sewing machine, hand sewing, how to read a pattern or use your imagination to create your own design. She has taught at the Centre since 2024.
Kate Labatut: Visual Art (Tuesday)
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Kate is from New Roads, LA, and graduated from Catholic High School of Pointe Coupee in 2017. She has been teaching art at the Centre since 2025, and is currently pursuing a degree in Art and Design at Louisiana State University. As a former Centre student herself, Kate enjoys encouraging young artists in the same place that once inspired her.
Eran Bazzelle: Office Assistant
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Eran is a native of Livonia and has been a student at the Centre since 2010. Eran began working here the summer of 2020. They work well with the youth at the Centre helping children with homework, making snacks, playing games and anything else the students need.
Eran enjoys doing makeup for our theatre productions and is planning to attend cosmetology school in the future.
Tristen Hoffpauir: Office Assistant
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Phyllis Labatut: Custodian
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Crystal Lemay: Program Director
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Crystal Lemay joined the Centre for the Arts family in June of 2021 as Tesa's Place Supervisor. She has held the title proudly for 5 amazing years. She takes pride in and indeed loves impacting children's lives.
Ms. Crystal was recently promoted to the role of Program Director where she is eager to take on the various duties that come with her job title.
She's so excited to be a part of the Centre where she gets to see the children learn and grow year after year.
Courtney Maciasz: Executive Director
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Courtney Maciasz has been painting from a very early age and was formally trained as an artist at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA. Ever since graduating, she has focused on finding ways to share her love for art with students of all ages. After moving to south Louisiana, she was introduced to the Centre and knew immediately that she wanted to be a part of this amazing place.
After teaching art at the Centre for several months, Courtney assisted the Centre’s co-founder, Tiffany, and eventually took on the Executive Director position in August of 2013. She currently lives in Zachary with her husband, Stephen, and three children, Luke, Lizzy, and Joey.
Debbie Pier: Tesa's Place Supervisor
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Debbie Pier was born in New Roads, LA, and has lived in Livonia for the last 45 years. She is the mother of 3 and grandmother of 11.
She has been involved at the Centre as a grandparent and volunteer for over 3 years. She is excited to join the Centre this year as the supervisor of Tesa's Place in the fall of 2026.
Tammy Yates: Bookkeeper
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Dance & Physical Fitness
Theatre
Art
Administration
