About
WHERE PASSION MEETS TECHNIQUE
For over 40 years, OBDS has delivered exceptional dance education in New Orleans. Our studio features professional-grade sprung marley floors, wall-to-wall mirrors, and a state-of-the-art sound system designed for optimal training. Our degreed instructors bring decades of experience, while owners remain directly involved in all aspects from choreography development to costume selection.
We offer comprehensive programming from beginner to advanced levels, with performance opportunities throughout the year. Technical excellence combined with individual attention makes OBDS the most versatile and respected studio in the Uptown area.
A LEGACY OF DANCE DISTINCTION
The OBDS Difference
Classes for All Ages
From Tiny Dancers (ages 2-3) all the way to Teen and Advanced classes (ages 13 & up), OBDS offers age-appropriate instruction across the entire spectrum of childhood and adolescence
Performance Opportunities
The studio has both regular classes and Company/Pre-Company programs for more serious dancers, providing performance pathways for different commitment levels
Wide Variety of Dance Styles
The studio offers 8 different dance styles: Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Musical Theater, Pointe/Pre-Pointe, and Combo classes
Over 40 Years of Experience
OBDS has been educating and inspiring dancers in New Orleans for four decades
State-of-the-Art Facility
Newly remodeled studio with sprung marley floors, full-length mirrors, and advanced sound system
Staff
Jeanne Pecot
Artistic Director, Owner & Instructor
Jeanne G. Pecot, the owner and Artistic Director of Off Broadway Dance Studio, has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from St. Mary's Dominican College through Loyola University in drama and dance. While in college, she danced in several ballets, such as The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty and Coppelia. Since graduation, she has been teaching in Uptown New Orleans since 1983.
HER WORK:
During the summer, she works with Tulane University choreographing The Little Lyric Theatre productions, such as Oliver, Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Good News, Into the Woods, and Babes in Arms. She has performed in numerous Le Petit Shows & Summer Lyric Shows, such as Chicago, Cabaret, West Side Story, Best Little Whorehouse, Mame, and The Merry Widow to name a few.
HER STUDIO:
Jeanne’s studio has been operating since 1983 in the historic New Orleans Uptown area at 8125 St. Charles Avenue.
Jeannette Pecot
Company Director & Instructor
Jeannette attended the University of Southern Mississippi to receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with an emphasis on performance and choreography. While attending Southern Miss, she was a part of the Repertory Dance Company for four years participating in original dances choreographed by both faculty and students. Jeannette also performed at the American College Dance Festival in 2007 and 2009. She was a Leadership Scholar, Academic Scholar, a Service Awardee, and a member of Kappa Delta throughout her college career.
HER WORK: Prior to college, she was an active competitor in regional and national dance competitions. She received several Gold Awards, as well as Judge's Awards for her emotional expression and theatrical expression. At USM, Jeannette choreographed two original dances for RDC - Sleight of Hand and Three Sides to Every Story - that we performed in the company's concerts. She has also choreographed several original works for local dance studios in Hattiesburg. Prior to graduation, Jeannette completed a thesis concerning the emotion of women and its portrayal in the dancing female body.
TEACHING: While in Hattiesburg, she taught several modern, contemporary, and jazz classes for local studios. Her students ranged from elementary school to high school. Before college, Jeannette taught Jazz at Off Broadway Dance Studio and is excited to finally return to her roots in New Orleans.
Suzanne P. Hirstius
Business Manager & Instructor
Suzanne attended the University of Southern Mississippi and Our Lady of Holy Cross College to receive a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. While in college, she was part of the Business Honors Society and was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority. Suzanne has been dancing since the age of two and has always had a love of the arts. She has received many high score awards and judges choice awards throughout her time as a dancer from Louisiana Association of Dance Masters, Encore Dance Competition, Masquerade Dance Competition and Dance Masters of America.
TEACHING: Suzanne has been teaching ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop throughout her time as Off Broadway Dance Studio.
2025 - 2026 Instructors
Mrs. Cayla Cole Breaux - Petite/Junior Contemporary, Pre-Pointe, Junior Jazz, Pre-Teen Jazz and Advanced Hip Hop
Ms. Jamyra Durant - Intermediate Hip Hop
"There’s so much that we love about OBDS! It’s always scary when you first send your child to a new place of learning and you aren’t allowed to sit and watch the whole time (especially when they are still a toddler)... I couldn’t be more comfortable knowing how safe my daughter is at the studio. I love that someone waits at the door to make sure each child safely enters and exits the building with their parent/guardian and the door is locked while classes are in session. Regardless of the high quality of instruction, our daughter leaves every class so excited to tell us about what she learned, who she danced with and show us her treat for participating. She’s happy so I’m happy! 10/10 recommend!"
Taryn A
"We have been part of the OBDS community for 7 years now, and it has been so amazing to watch my tiny dancers grow into the young girls they are now. We have especially enjoyed the variety of classes that are available to them, from ballet, tap and jazz, to hip hop, musical theater and contemporary. Love OBDS!"
Jessica W
"Both of my daughters have been taking dance at OBDS since they were toddlers. This studio fosters a welcoming environment for diverse body types. My teen is a casual dancer, and still she feels accepted by the dancers that take almost every class. They instill a hard work ethic, while still uplifting the girls."
Holly M
Testimonals
