Our Story
We believe dance is a performing art and that dance instruction should be available to everyone. Our mission is to give both children and adults an inspiring, educational and positive dance experience that develops a strong body, a positive body image and a healthy self-esteem.
Creative Outlet Dance Academy is the only dance studio in the area that focuses on the complete growth of students through meticulous attention to their physical, mental and emotional training. Participation in our dance classes results in our students developing valuable life skills.
Zoë Lombard-Todd, Owner and School Director
Zoë Lombard-Todd has spent most of her life dancing, performing and teaching. She began her classical training at the age of five under Ann Duke at Lee Weatherby School of Dance. She auditioned and performed multiple roles in Alabama Dance Theater’s “The Nutcracker” under the Direction of Major Burchfield. In 1983 Zoë performed the role of Clara in “The Nutcracker,” under the Artistic Direction of Ann Duke. “Miss Ann” was Zoë’s lifelong mentor who Zoe thinks of as a second mother. Zoë continued her dance training as a Company Member of Ballet Mobile under the Direction of Vasile Petrutiu. After the merger of Ballet Mobile and Ballet Bienville in 1988, Zoë became a Senior Company member of the newly formed Mobile Ballet under the Direction of Winthrop Corey. As a principal dancer with Mobile Ballet, Zoe danced leading and soloist roles performing as Clara in “The Nutcracker,” Mina in “Dracula” and Stella in “A Streetcar Named Desire,” to name a few. Some of her favorite roles include Pas de Trois, Cygnets and Neapolitan in “Swan Lake,” Fairy of Scattered Breadcrumbs and Diamond Fairy in “Sleeping Beauty,” Dawn and Prayer in “Coppelia,” and Spring and Winter Fairies in “Cinderella.” Zoë was also a scholarship student at Steps on Broadway in New York City.
Zoë earned a B.A. in Communications from the University of South Alabama. After graduation, she started the jazz program at Mobile Ballet (Mobile location) and spearheaded the Eastern Shore studio expansion where she served as a faculty member for 26 years. In 2001, Zoë founded the ballet and jazz program at Bayside Academy, a program she continues to lead to this day.
Zoë is excited to enter the next phase of her dance career as Owner and Director of Creative Outlet Dance Academy. She has known Pagan Mosher and Gina Lanaux most of her life, watching them perform soloist roles in Alabama Dance Theater’s “The Nutcracker” when she was a young girl. Zoë is excited to continue and grow the tradition of quality dance instruction at Creative Outlet in Fairhope by sharing her love and passion for dance.
