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!