Stefan Easter / Co-director

Stefan Easter has been a ballroom instructor, studio owner, competitor, and choreographer for the last 22 years.  During that time he has amassed countless pro-am championships and awards as well as Pro Open Showdance, Cabaret, and American Smooth awards.  He has judged collegiate WDSF ballroom events, and he has been a guest choreographer for the Longhorn & Sooner ballroom dance teams.  His love of performance & dance started in Musical Theater at the age of six.  He has choreographed many full productions including Beauty & the Beast, The Drowsy Chaperone, West Side Story, A Little Night Music, Leading Ladies, Evita, & many others. 

After the pandemic, he reconnected with long-time friend & colleague, Brian Picard.  A native Texan by birth, he knew country was where he belonged. With the help and expertise of fellow New Mexicans Maryann Harvey & Mike Haley, he went on to win a ProPro national championship in a matter of months, with the always impressive Catherine Picard at the helm. He now owns 2 Left Feet dance studio in Albuquerque,  NM, but his students span the states of New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, & Louisiana.  

In 2024, Stefan became a certified ACDA judge, and alongside his long-time student & friend, Murlene Deville, Stefan purchased the Louisiana Hayride Country Competition, becoming one of the newest members of the ACDA Board of Directors. 

Murlene, a former owner of numerous businesses, started dancing in country events several years ago. She took off four years and returned to the dance that she loved. Winning the National  Championship in the ACDA circuit, also UCWDC worlds events, placing second and fourth places. Now dancing in Ballroom with Stefan Easter, placing First in NDCA and USA Amateur Championship and Scholarships. Her love for dance led her now to become an Owner and Event Director of Louisiana Southern Ball and Hayride.  She hopes to help continue the great tradition of the American Country Dance Association circuit. 

Ray Michiels is a former educator & football coach turned dancer.  He owns and operates Lucky Stars Dance Studio in Alexandria, LA and celebrates 25+ years in the studio business.  He has danced competitively since 1991 in the UCWDC, ACDA, & Fun Country Circuits.  In 1993, he and his partner at the time danced in the 1st ever UCWDC World Championships in Nashville.  In 2000, he began coaching and dancing with amateur students in the ACDA and UCWDC ProAm divisions.  He has danced in ProPro Open I, Diamond I, and currently Platinum Advanced.  He and his partners have won numerous championships throughout the years in the ACDA circuits.  He has been the owner & event director of the Louisiana Country Dance Hayride since he created it in 2008.  And most recently in 2022, he was inducted into the ACDA Hall of Fame.  After a long and successful run at the helm of the Hayride, he passed the torch to Stefan & Murlene in 2024.  He still remains an active part of the Hayride & the ACDA.