Ballet Images, Inc. Staff

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Katelyn Rodrigue Fitts began her dance journey at the age of two at Johanna’s Jazz in Motion. A year later, she shifted her focus to classical ballet, training at Images Dance Studio under the direction of Susan Ferrara Burke. She continued her training there until beginning college at Louisiana State University in 2006.

While at LSU, Katelyn took a six-year hiatus from dance to pursue a collegiate track and field career as a pole vaulter, earning both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Communication Sciences & Disorders. After graduation, she returned to St. Charles Parish to begin her career as a speech-language pathologist in the St. Charles Parish Public School System. She also returned to dance at Images Dance Studio under her longtime mentor until Mrs. Burke’s retirement in 2015.

Following her mentor’s retirement, Katelyn transitioned into teaching, sharing her knowledge of ballet, pointe, and later, acrobatic arts at multiple studios throughout St. Charles Parish. She has performed in numerous River Region Ballet productions, including The Nutcracker, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Little Red Riding Hood, and others. For the past nine years, she has served in various production roles with River Region Ballet, including choreography assistance, rehearsal direction, and backstage management. In 2024, she proudly directed St. Charles Parish’s production of The Nutcracker. 

Katelyn is honored to step into the role of Artistic Director for Ballet Images, Inc., building on the legacy of excellence established by her mentors. She brings a deep appreciation for classical technique, a collaborative spirit, and a passion for cultivating confidence and artistry in every dancer. Katelyn is especially passionate about inspiring the next generation—including her own daughters—and finds immense joy in watching her students light up the stage, bringing characters to life through their hard work and dedication. With a vision rooted in both tradition and innovation, she is committed to fostering a supportive, enriching environment where dancers of all ages can thrive and grow. She is also excited to be teaching alongside her mentor and former company peers this year, continuing the legacy that first sparked her own love of dance.

Ms. Burke began her dance training in New Orleans with Valerie Smith, formerly with Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, Harvey Hysell, nationally renowned teacher of the Cecchetti System of Ballet and Mary Munro, ballerina for Ballet Rambert and London’s Festival Ballet. She enhanced her studies with teachers from American Ballet Theatre, National Ballet of Canada, Dallas Ballet and Houston Ballet. Her dance training also includes tap and jazz.

Ms. Burke performed with New Orleans Ballet Foundation, New Orleans Ballet Company and Ballet Hysell. She began her teaching career in 1975. Ms. Burke headed the ballet department for Tulane University’s Children’s Creative Arts program for four years, taught dance at local daycare centers and was on the faculty of three leading studios in the New Orleans area. In 1989 she opened her own school, Images Dance Studio, in Destrehan Louisiana which she directed for 26 years. She was a member of Dance Masters of America and Louisiana Association of Dance Masters for 27 years.

Ms. Burke was the founding Artistic Director of the River Region Ballet and served in that capacity for 20 years. She has also worked as choreographer for St. Charles Little Theatre, St. Charles Community Education Theatre, River Region Drama Guild, St. Martin’s Episcopal School and various independent organizations.

Ms. Burke received a national Point of Light award in 2005 for her volunteer work with the children of St. Charles Parish. In 2008 she received the Angelus Award given by the River Region Arts and Humanities Council for furthering the arts in the river region. As Artistic Director of River Region Ballet the Big Easy Entertainment Awards Tribute to the Classical Arts nominated for Best Classical Ballet Production her production of Cinderella in 2008, La Boutique Fantasque in 2009 and Passages in 2012 an original ballet conceived and choreographed by Ms. Burke. 

Violet is a dancer, thespian, and multi-media entertainer with over 18 years of experience in the greater New Orleans area. Since 2006, they have performed with the River Region Ballet in acclaimed productions including The Nutcracker, Giselle, Pas De Quatre, and Sleeping Beauty. For the past seven years, Violet has taught classes including ballet, pointe, hip hop, jazz, tap, lyrical, and choreographing for RRB Inc. Violet has appeared in numerous musical theater productions throughout the region, including appearances at Tulane Summer Lyric, the River Region Drama Guild, Lafon Performing Arts Center, and Rivertown Theaters. Violet serves as a choreographer and director at the River Region Drama Guild. You can find them on social media under @VioletMasque.

Kate Lougon was born and raised in Destrehan, LA where she began her dance training at six years old at Gina’s Dance Dynamics. Shortly after beginning her dance training, Kate began to study strictly ballet under the direction of Susan Burke, owner of Images Dance Studio and artistic director of River Region Ballet, Inc. Following Susan Burke’s retirement, Kate began training with Jefferson Ballet School under Kimbery and Kenny Beck and performing with the Jefferson Ballet Theatre. In 2023, Kate earned a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Pathology and Audiology and a minor in Ballet from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. In Lafayette, she received ballet training under Marie Broussard, Coordinator of Dance at UL Lafayette. While living in Lafayette, Kate began teaching ballet at Dance Dynamics in Carencro, Louisiana. Kate most recently graduated from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center – New Orleans with a Master of Communication Disorders in Speech-Language Pathology. While pursuing her master’s degree, Kate has continued to nurture her passion for ballet by attending weekly classes at Jefferson Ballet School and performing in Nutcracker each year. 

Hannah Weber is currently the creator and facilitator of the St. Charles Parish Public Schools’ Satellite Center Dance Program, where she teaches dancers ranging from 9th-12th grade dance history, technique, and the creative process. Before teaching in St. Charles Parish, she was the resident choreographer and dancer of NYC’s Periapsis Music and Dance. Alongside her work with Periapsis in NYC, she also performed with Sarah Berges Dance, the Moving Architects, Sans Limites Dance, Salvatore LaRussa Dance Theatre, and others. From 2010 until 2012 she worked with Cirque du Soleil on their show Iris in Los Angeles as a dancer and a main character, appearing on The Tonight Show and the Academy Awards. She received her BFA in contemporary dance in 2009 from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where she studied with such choreographers as Alonzo King, Larry Keigwin, and Janis Brenner. Since then, she has also received her certification to teach Dance, Health, and PE through the Louisiana Department of Education. Hannah is a native of Norco, Louisiana and grew up dancing with River Region Ballet. She is excited to bring her joy of dance, creativity, and vast technical knowledge to young artists beginning their dance journeys.