About Courtney

Courtney Rich, a native of Bay St. Louis, MS, began her dance training in 1988. She studied classical ballet under the direction of Sharon Loiacano at the Coast Youth Ballet Academy for twelve years. During those years she became a Senior Company Member of the Coast Youth Ballet Ensemble and played the role of Clara in the company's production of "The Nutcracker" as well as several soloist pieces in their yearly productions. Courtney has taken dance courses all over the Southeast, including studying at the University of Southern Mississippi, Giacobe Academy of Dance and Mobile Ballet School. She has been awarded scholarships and studied at schools such as the Rock School in Pennsylvania, the Virginia Ballet School and the Joffrey Ballet in New York City. During her college years, her love for dance brought her back home. While obtaining a B.A. In Criminal Justice & Psychology she returned home to teach ballet at the Coast Youth Ballet Academy. She is now married to her husband John and has three children Cayler Ann, Beckam and Lawson. After teaching for numerous years in several dance schools on the Mississippi Gulf Coast she now resides in Tuscaloosa. She received her Progressing Ballet Technique certification in 2018 and is very excited to begin her 16th year teaching Classical Ballet at The Dance Centre.