top of page
Meet Stephanie

                                                                                           Stephanie Laborde, a native of Alexandria, Louisiana is the daughter of Gerald and Margaret

                                                                                           LaCombe. She began taking dance at the age of four under the direction of Susan Hussey.                                                                                                      She quickly fell in love with dance and would find any way possible to make dance a part of

                                                                                           other activities. Cousins, friends and even her brother, Sam became her first “students”

                                                                                           during play time!  Stephanie became a charter member of Susan’s youngest company

                                                                                           dancers, Junior Prepline. Stephanie has won several state, regional and national titles during

                                                                                           her dance career at Susan Hussey’s Talent Inc. During her final year of competitive dance, 

                                                                                           she won the National Senior Soloist award for her Tap routine “Can’t Be Bothered” at the

                                                                                           Showstopper’s National Competition. Stephanie attended Our Lady of Prompt Succor

                                                                                           School and Holy Savior Menard Central High School, where she was a member of the 

                                                                                           Cheerleading Squad. She served as Captain of both her Jr. High and High School Squads and

                                                                                           was selected as an NCA All-American Cheerleader her senior year. 

 

                                                                                           After completing high school, a time when most hang up their tap shoes, Stephanie 

realized how much dance was a part of her soul and could not give it up! She became a member of the dance team at Northwestern State University and served as an officer in her second year. She continued her dance education at Northwestern State University in the theatre department under the direction of Edward Brazo. As much as Stephanie enjoyed performing, she found her true love was teaching. During her early years at Talent Inc., she became a class assistant and teacher. Her experience working with children and dance fueled a passion for her future teaching career. While at Northwestern, Stephanie earned a B.S. in Early Childhood Education. Her degree combined with her experience and love of dance, Stephanie was sought out by studios and artistic programs in Central Louisiana and Natchitoches to teach dance. After graduation, Stephanie was employed by Rapides Parish Schools as a Kindergarten teacher and at Holy Savior Menard Central High School as a teacher. Along with her full time teaching, she volunteered as the coach for the Varsity cheerleaders at Holy Savior Menard. Her days were spent teaching school. Afternoons and Evenings were split between coaching cheerleaders and teaching dance classes. The time in her early career was busy, but full of great memories and wonderful experiences that inspired Stephanie to open Steps by Stephanie Dance Studio in 2003. 

 

Since opening Steps, Stephanie has trained thousands of children in the Central Louisiana area through dance. Her company dancers have won several awards in the regional area. Her groups are often being recognized for their entertainment, unique style and showmanship with special awards each year at competition. She has trained many girls that have gone on to dance at Northwestern, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Louisiana State University and the New Orleans SaintSations. While she is proud that some have decided to continue their dance education after their time at Steps, she is just as proud of those that have gone on to follow their dreams in other areas. Stephanie knows that she is providing so much more than just dance. She feels her studio provides students the opportunities to learn discipline, hard work, dedication and most importantly self-worth. Stephanie believes in each of her students. Her goal is to continue to provide a safe, loving and fun environment. Stephanie is married to her high school sweetheart, Eric Laborde. They have been blessed with two precious boys, John Eric and Michael Thomas. Steps by Stephanie is truly a family business. Without the support and help from her parents, husband and children Steps by Stephanie would not be the same!

The Steps Team
                           Papa Steps

                               Gerald LaCombe, but better known to all of you as Papa Steps is the proud father of Stephanie Laborde. Gerald has owned                                and operated many successful businesses throughout his career, but has truly found one that he calls home. His volunteer

                               position at Steps, as our office manager and bookkeeper, keeps him busy.  His fun-loving personality is infectious and

                               makes him a favorite among all the dancers and parents! He is married to the love of his life, Margaret DiStefano LaCombe.

                               They have been married for 44 years.  Together they have two children, Stephanie Laborde and Sam LaCombe.

 

He loves spending time with his whole family!When he is not at the studio, you can find him at McDonald’s, Books-A-Million, or Target... doing what retired people do!

​

​

                           Debra Verzwyvelt

                               Debra started dance at the age of eight at Vicki’s Dance Studio andsoon after transferred to Susan Hussey’s School of

                               Dance. She studied Jazz, Tap and Ballet. While she loved all forms of dance, tap became her passion. She was a member of

                               Susan and Co. competing in New York where they took home the first place trophy. While taking dance, Debra was also an

                               instructor at Susan Hussey’s for over 6 years where she taught tap, jazz and ballet. Along with teaching dance at Steps by                                    Stephanie during the week, Debra is also employed at Our Lady of Prompt Succor School. She has worked in kindergarten 

and pre-kindergarten for over 27 years. Her passion is not just about dance, but the child as a whole.When Debra is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband of 34 years, and her grandchildren.

​

​

​

​

​

                              Emily Coburn

                              Emily  is a student at LSUA. She has been dancing at Steps since the age of 5. Emily has studied jazz, tap,

                              hip-hop, ballet, & contemporary. She has won numerous awards competing in group numbers, duets, and as a soloist. She

                              has served as a counselor at Princess Boot Camp for the past 5 years. Emily loves sparking a passion for dance in young

                              girls. Emily has attended The Pulse Convention the past 3 years, where she was awarded a scholarship to return to the

                              convention. In 2016, she won a scholarship to attend classes at the Broadway Dancer Center in New York City. While Dance is Emily’s passion, she also has a love for softball. Emily feels strongly about her academics and works hard to manage her time between her extra-curricular activities and maintaining her 4.O GPA.

​

​

​

​

​

                          Madelyn Scroggs

                              Madelyn  is a sixth grade principal list student at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Moreauville. She currently is the Chaplin

                              for SHS Junior Beta Club. She has been dancing for 10 years and is currently a member of The Ruby Red Steppers

                              competition team. Recently, she placed Lightning Gold, the highest level adjudication at Thunderstruck Dance Competition

                              and 7th place overall soloist. She loves dance, camping, and crafting.

bottom of page