Our History
It all began with a woman and her passion
for the art of dance...
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The Dance Factory was founded in 1982 by Darni Jordan Fenerty. She began her studio in a small building with a single room and taught every class herself. Her love, drive and dance expertise soon had her expanding to a larger facility just across the street from where it all began.
Meet Our Director
Loren Fenerty is a native of New Orleans where she is the Owner and Artistic Director of Loren Fenerty's Dance Factory, and is also the creative influence and choreographer for their Regional and National award-winning Dance Company, “The Performer’s Edge”. For over 35 years, Loren has trained in all forms of dance including, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet, Pointe and Musical Theatre and Contemporary. Truly born to dance, Loren began her training under the direction of her mother who made sure she learned from the best. Loren has studied extensively with dance greats such as, Joe Lanteri, Joe Tremaine, Alan Sherfield, John Crutchman, Suzi Taylor, Mia Michaels and the late Frank Hatchet and Mark Marino to name a few. Loren won her first national title at the age of six and won her first of four international titles at the age of eight. She is a former Petite, Junior, Teen and Miss Dance of Louisiana. She has also made multiple appearances in the NFL Super Bowl Pro Line Show, danced with ASH Contemporary, and spent her early years dancing with pop superstar, Britney Spears.
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Loren now directs the studio that was once owned by her mother and her students have performed with the NFL, NBA, AFL and NCAA, performed leading roles in numerous plays, appeared in commercials, music videos, television and movies, been recipients of Big Easy Awards for Best Actor in a Musical and toured with the “Bad Boys of Dance” to name a few honors. They have also won countless number of Regional, National and International awards, scholarships and titles. Since beginning her teaching career over 15 years ago, Loren has also been the recipient of a countless number of choreography and special recognition awards on the national and international levels. From 2015 through 2023 her students have annually been named National Grand Champions, her studio has been recognized as Studio of the Year, she has been named National Choreographer of the Year and her students have been the recipients of the National Technical Excellence Award.
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When she isn't at the studio training her students, Loren spends her time with her husband, Austen, and two beautiful children, Jaxen and Jorden. Although she spent most of her life focused on dance, Loren also sings and acts which makes her a triple threat in the world of theater. Loren was a student at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, as well as a member of the Jefferson Performing Arts Society. She has played the leading role of Rosie in Bye Bye Birdie as well as supporting roles in Oklahoma and A Chorus Line.
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Loren has such a vast knowledge of all aspects of dance and the performing arts, that she enjoys nothing more than sharing this gift by inspiring, teaching and choreographing nationwide.
Testimonials
Amazing teachers and students! You become part of the dancing family the moment you walk through the door:) - KB
My daughter started dance here at 14 months old. Other dance companies said she was too young. on day #1 Loren welcomed us with open arms. Her words were, "if she can walk, she can dance!" She danced perfectly by recital time! Teachers are patient, loving, and fair. -CT
Love love Loren Fenerty's Dance Factory!!! They are like Family and love my kids. What an AWESOME dance studio! - BM