CONGRATULATIONS, MRS. LEIGH ANNE DELISLE, ON 10 YEARS AT SCA!

“I was born in Columbia, MS, and grew up in Huntsville, AL. I’m a proud graduate of Birmingham-Southern College where I double majored in dance and political science. Following BSC, I earned a Master of Fine Arts in Dance and Arts Management from Oklahoma City University in Oklahoma City, OK.”

Dance has been a constant in Mrs. DeLisle’s life whether teaching or performing. She began as a dance instructor when she was 16 years old and taught in both her home studio and her church’s ballet program. From there, she performed professionally. She says, “My professional performance experience includes work at regional and children's theaters, and I spent the majority of my performance career dancing at Walt Disney World in Orlando.”  

After spending almost a decade performing, Mrs. DeLisle was ready for a change. She explains, “I have a good friend from college who went to St. Cecilia, so when I decided to transition out of performing and was looking for places close to home, Nashville and SCA were on my radar. I was impressed that whenever anyone spoke of SCA, they talked about how special the girls were. I also loved the close community aspect of the school, as well as the fact that it included dance (and the arts in general) as integral to a complete education for the students.”  Today, she teaches dance and choreography at SCA as well as at Lipscomb University.

Mrs. DeLisle has enjoyed seeing her students and the program continue to grow. “When I began teaching at St. Cecilia, we didn't have a dedicated dance space. So it's both gratifying and humbling to look now at the program with a studio, lively classes, a committed dance company, and the Dance Academy educating the next generation.” The Fine Arts Center featuring a state-of-the-art dance studio opened in 2019 after much effort by Mrs. DeLisle and others.  

As she reflects on her 10 years on campus, she recalls a class that embodied the St. Cecilia Girl spirit with poise, leadership, and action. “The class of 2018 had quite a few girls who were very strong in the performing arts, including many who pursued a degree and career in theater or dance. These students independently proposed and produced a senior showcase, which also served as a fundraiser. The way the girls worked together, coordinated with their teachers and coaches, and produced a genuinely high quality and entertaining showcase was incredibly impressive and so much fun.”

For those who are not as familiar with St. Cecilia, Mrs. DeLisle states, “SCA is a place where you can develop a solid sense of self in a supportive, Christian environment. The school provides an academic education as good as any, but I think the real value of a SCA education is the formation of young women who can reason, articulate, and confidently lean into their God-given gifts for the benefit of others and the Kingdom.”

In her free time, Mrs. DeLisle enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and friends. She likes traveling and experiencing the culture and exciting food scene Nashville and the surrounding areas have to offer.

Thank you, Mrs. DeLisle, for your 10 years of service to St. Cecilia Academy!