LeadingLadies

6 inspiring cajun musicians

In what has become our now annual music their voices have been heard and met with guide, we decided to do something a little praise – even Grammy nominations. All six different. Rather than focus on venues, clubs of these women are carrying on the tradition and places to go, we chose to focus on faces of their Cajun ancestors and bringing it to look for – and more importantly, voices to into the future, and we hope that the trend hear. In the music industry in general – and of women leading their own bands will gain especially when it comes to , momentum as they continue to inspire others. women are outnumbered by men. Fortunately, That, we think, is worth singing about.

By Michael Patrick Welch \\ Photos by Romero & Romero

acadianaprofile.com | 31 gigs as Petite et les Patates (Little and the At the age of 18, Potatoes), a quieter three-piece traditional musician Jamie Lynn Fontenot was Cajun band. overtaken by the desire to learn Cajun Along with accordion player Jacques French. “My grandparents, Mary ‘Mimi’ fontenotBoudreaux, Petite et les Patates also often Fontenot and John ‘Toe’ Fontenot, from features Fontenot's husband, French Opelousas are great, really strong Cajun player Samuel Giarrusso, who moved to speakers,” says Fontenot from her home in in 2012 from France to be near his Lafayette. “My siblings and I wanted them father, also a Cajun French musician. “Petite to teach us Cajun French, so she would play et les Patates is actually a constantly rotating me all these old Cajun vinyl records, and band, where I am the only constant,” says she’d tell me the stories the singers were Fontenot. "I usually am playing parties, so I telling in the songs. I remember she bought just pick whoever I want to bring to the party me this record – a really – sometimes it’s people from Teechaoui, great old-timey player – and I sometimes not,” she says. “I always chose to started learning French through the songs.” play really Old-School stuff, so I like three- It seemed only natural, then, for Fontenot pieces a lot: accordion, fiddle and guitar – no to follow up by teaching herself to play drum and bass.” some of the songs, or at least the traditional In explaining how her personal musical Cajun style, that her grandmother had vision differs from that of LaFleur’s exposed her to, on the guitar. Teechaoui, she all but says her music is “I also play a little fiddle, but not more feminine. “I like the prettier lyrics, professionally,” says humble Fontenot who, instead of the more dancehall-ish singing,” now at 29, has now been playing Cajun she says, careful to clarify that she loves it music to enthusiastic fans for five years. all. “I am really into the Touchette family I a l wa ys Around Acadiana she’s known primarily and the stories they weave into their songs. as a singer and guitarist in Lost Bayou In my own band I focus on the lyrics and chose to Ramblers bassist Alan LaFleur’s traditional Known for her the singing.” Cajun outfit, Teechaoui Social Club, which play really lyricism and guitar The Teechaoui Social Club is currently skills, Jamie Lynn formed just a couple years ago on LaFleur’s working on recording its first album in Fontenot is working porch during a community boucherie – an old-school on an album and Lafayette, playing gigs at the Blue Moon as 18-hour Cajun French party with about 100 performing around well as in at Fontenot’s friend South Louisiana. people preparing and cooking traditional stuff. Effie Michot’s Mosquito Supper Club and food and playing music. the Tigermen Den. When not playing with the energetic, dancehall-focused Teechaoui, Fontenot

32 | acadiana profile june/July 2015 acadianaprofile.com | 33 Christine Balfas have my cousin from the Pine Leaf Boys, father , who led Mamou’ band Courtney Granger. One original member Christine Balfa the Balfa Brothers, was once surprised was my former husband … That’s my has been Grammy- by his 8-year-old daughter’s desire to family band and will always be a part of nominated. play Cajun music. “He was one of nine my life, because it’s my family’s music.” children, and six were boys. Five out of But she deviates from her father’s path the six played music, and three toured as with her Grammy-nominated Cajun band, the Balfa Brothers … playing dances, then Bonsoir Catin. “My upbringing was very national and international concerts to aid different from my father’s; we were 50 years the revival of different types of American difference in age. Our music is very similar … balfafolk music,” says Christine Balfa. “I but I am writing about issues that happen in heard it my whole life; it was a part of my my lifetime and my perspective as a woman,” upbringing. I heard such great music, not says Christine, who adds, “Bonsoir Catin is just from my family but from the people a majority woman group – five women and they played with: international musicians a guy drummer. We are much more active My dad dad had met on the road, he’d invite them right now than Balfa Toujours. “This is my back home to jam … So I was exposed third record with Bonsoir Catin, and our wa n ted to different kinds of music, people and latest record has a really unique sound, with cultures, and that really shaped my music original material. Both bands are dance me to and who I am in a lot of different ways.” bands,” she admits. “In Bonsoir Catin we All the tools and influences were already have electric guitar and we always have bass play. B ut under her roof. “We had instruments and drums. Whereas with Balfa Toujours, everywhere, and when I was 8, I started we only have bass and drums at festivals – society in taking my first fiddle lesson – though the though we always have the twin …” guitar was much more natural to me,” says Though Balfa Toujours hasn’t played general Christine, who also plays accordion and much in recent years, Christine is still was not as sings. “My dad wanted me to play. But making sure the family band will have future society in general was not as accepting as members. “I have two daughters who play, accepting it is now. Luckily, I traveled and saw a lot of now,” she says. “They are puzzled by the idea things, so I knew that things were changing.” that there are not many women in Cajun as it is Christine and her family started Balfa music – it’s hard for them to believe because Toujours (which means “Balfa Always”) all their lives they seen me playing with no w. in 1992, “the year that my father passed,” Bonsoir Catin, getting together with women says Christine. “These are people I’ve to make music. I am very happy that in their been playing music with for 25 years. My minds it doesn’t make any difference.” sister sometimes plays with us. We often

34 | acadiana profile june/July 2015 acadianaprofile.com | 35 Lisa Trahan sings, plays the accordion, Jane Vidrine is recognized bass, guitar, triangle around Acadiana as a and rubboard. musician, folklorist, cultural activist and teacher.

Anya Burgess is not only a musician, she wrote an builds and award-winning book restores violins. Cajun Music: A Reflection of a People Volume 1.

36 | acadiana profile june/July 2015 acadianaprofile.com | 37 Louisiana historian together. We both liked the same old Ann Savoy began the Grammy-nominated music and it just evolved into a band.” Magnolia Sisters traditional Cajun singing Her musical partner Vidrine is also a group with partner Jane Vidrine (guitar, folklorist, cultural activist and teacher. “I’m fiddle, vocals) specifically to explore the the biggest historian in the band, and Jane feminine side of Cajun music. “It had a is currently working curating museum lot to do with proving that women can shows at the Natural History Museum,” play music, too,” says Savoy, who has brags Savoy of her partner’s extensive played music since the age of 10. “Cajun knowledge of Cajun culture. “She’s also a music and music in general is such a collector of historical music recordings. I male-dominated field, we wanted to say first came to know her because she would ‘We can play a kicking dance too!’” book our band at a festival in Missouri, Currently living in Eunice, Savoy tours where she is originally from.” Vidrine’s the world’s best musical festivals playing life changed when she was given a job as with her sons Joel and Wilson, plus her director of the Louisiana Folklife Pavilion husband, accordion player and builder at the 1984 World’s Fair in New Orleans. (founder, in 1965, of “When she was booking the World’s Fair Eunice’s Savoy Music Center) in their she met a Cajun musician, John Vidrine, Savoy-Doucet Family Cajun Band. Savoy’s and married him and moved here to passion for Louisiana history also comes Louisiana,” chuckles Savoy. “We Magnolia through in her work also as a photographer Sisters definitely like our Cajun men.” and writer, as evidenced in her book, Cajun Vidrine and Savoy’s other two It had Music: A Reflection of a People Volume 1, “sisters” have, since 1992, been fiddle winner of the Botkin Book award and from player Anya Burgess, of Arnaudville, a lot to the American Folklore Society. When she who builds and restores violins and started her own band, she knew she wanted Lisa Trahan (bass vocals, percus- do with to share the stage with other women. sion, accordion) of Grand Coteau. “I had previously been in a Cajun band, Together, the Magnolia Sisters went proving playing guitar,” Savoy remembers of out of their way to stand out this year on how the Magnolia Sisters got together. the Lagniappe stage at the New Orleans that women “I wanted to play fiddle and accordion and Heritage Festival. “We played can play too, but the other people in that band without a drummer, just because it was a were such virtuosos I felt intimidated. smaller situation and we thought it would music too... Also, I’d wanted to do some songs they make a nice contrast,” explains Savoy, didn’t particularly want to do. who says the crowd appreciated the pared “Jane and I, we’d get together to down ensemble. “We thought it would take care of our kids, and while we bring out what we are, which is a strong were watching the kids we’d play music band playing old-timey Cajun music.”

38 | acadiana profile june/July 2015 acadianaprofile.com | 39 Top Dentists 135 dentists in 7 specialties across Acadiana’s 22 parishes

SELECTION PROCESS “If you dentist the opportunity to nominees within the specialty congratulations are sent to all had a patient in need of a participate. Dentists are also and the geographic area. the listed dentists. dentist, which dentist would you given the opportunity to Borderline cases are given Of course, there are many refer them to?” nominate other dentists who careful consideration by the fine dentists who are not This is the question we’ve we have missed who they feel editors. Voting characteristics included in this representative asked thousands of dentists should be included in our list. and comments are taken into list. It is intended as a sampling to help us determine who the Respondents are asked to put consideration while making of the great body of talent in topDentists should be. Dentists aside any personal bias or decisions. Past awards a dentist the field of dentistry in the and specialists are asked to political motivations and to use has received and status in United States. A dentist’s take into consideration years only their knowledge of their various dental academies inclusion on our list is based of experience, continuing peers’ work when evaluating (Academy of General Dentistry, on the subjective judgments of education, manner with the other nominees. American Academy of his or her fellow dentists. While patients, use of new techniques Voters are asked to Periodontology, etc.) can play a it is true that the lists may and technologies and of course individually evaluate the factor in our decision. at times disproportionately physical results. practitioners on their ballots Once the decisions have reward visibility or popularity, The nomination pool of whose work they are familiar been finalized, the included we remain confident that our dentists consists of dentists with. Once the balloting is dentists are checked against polling methodology largely listed online with the American completed, the scores are state dental boards for corrects for any biases and Dental Association, as well as compiled and then averaged. disciplinary actions to make that these lists continue to all dentists listed online with The numerical average required sure they have an active license represent the most reliable, their local dental societies, for inclusion varies depending and are in good standing with accurate and useful list of thus allowing virtually every on the average for all the the board. Then letters of dentists available anywhere.

This list is excerpted from the 2015 usatopdentists.com; or visit usatopdentists. copyright 2011-2015 by Top Dentists LLC, topDentists™ list, a database that includes com. topDentists has used its best efforts Augusta, Georgia. All rights reserved. This list, listings for more than 100 dentists and in assembling material for this list but does or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any specialists in the Acadiana area. The Acadiana not warrant that the information contained form without permission. No commercial use of list is based on thousands of detailed herein is complete or accurate and does not the information in this list may be made without evaluations of dentists and professionals assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to permission of topDentists. No fees may be by their peers. The complete database is any person for any loss or damage caused by charged, directly or indirectly, for the use of the available at usatopdentists.com. For more errors or omissions herein whether such errors information in this list without permission. information, call (706) 364-0853; write P.O. or omissions result from negligence, accident or Box 970, Augusta, Georgia 30903; email info@ any other cause.

40 | acadiana profile june/July 2015 acadianaprofile.com | 41 toughest case: Untreated Patients GENERAL DENTISTRY by Lauren Laborde | photos Romero & Romero ENDODONICS Casey B. Bargas Melanie Jean Andrews Bargas Endodontics Plantation Road Dental Care Daniel Domingue | General Dentistry | Lafayette | acadianadentistry.com 2640 Country Club Road 103 Plantation Road Suite 300, Lake Charles Destrehan 337-564-6885 504-764-1148 bargasendo.com plantationroaddental.com For Dr. Danny Domingue, his toughest cases as a in Dental Implantology. During After practicing for Benjamin Ber Charles J. Ardoin II dentist are actually the this time he was awarded the three years in Lake Charles, Southern Endodontic Specialists 4985 South Hwy. 27 cases he hasn’t tackled. Certificate of Achievement Domingue accepted his uncle’s 1211 Museum Drive, Houma Sulphur “The toughest cases for from the American Academy of offer to become a partner in 985-917-0084 me are the patients that go Implant Dentistry for outstanding 337-583-2756 his practice in Lafayette. untreated. It's tough to see leadership in Implant Dentistry, a houmaendo.com cjardoindds.com Domingue cites many things patients leave your practice after fellowship from the International he enjoys in his work, especially Brent Chauvin John Kenneth Aycock you’ve just informed them that Congress of Oral Implantologists, the familial nature of it. Advanced Endodontics they need a crown, a root canal, and an associate fellowship 512 Haifleigh St. an implant, or even a filling. of the American Academy of “I have enjoyed meeting of Lafayette Franklin It’s not often, but occasionally Implant Dentistry. Domingue so many people through my 221 Rue De Jean, Suite 214 337-828-5841 I meet professionals that are was also awarded “diplomate” profession. I have met so many Lafayette different dentists, young and old, Jimmy A. Babineaux Jr. busy with work or moms that are from the American Board of 337-769-0999 busy taking care of their kids, I work daily with an incredible Babineaux Family Dentistry Oral Implantology, the highest chauvinendo.com they both tend to put their needs award possible for a general staff, and truly enjoy meeting new 1534 West Pinhook Road on the back burner.” he says, dentist practicing implantology. patients,” he says. “I like visiting Kenneth Shane Fowler Lafayette with new patients and often here reiterating that putting off dental At the time he was recognized 4906 Ambassador Caffery 337-234-3214 work — even small things — can how they may know my family as the youngest recipient of Pkwy., Building O lead to bigger problems down this award in the world. or relatives. I enjoy working with Brock J. Barras my uncle and together being able Lafayette the road. “Later on in their life After completing his residency, Barras Family Dentistry to put patient’s minds at ease 337-981-0144 inevitably they regret not getting he married his wife, Megan, in 1700 Kaliste Saloom, Building 4 the work they needed done.” after meeting for the first time.” shanefowlerdds.com Denver, Colorado. They moved Lafayette It makes sense that it’s hard back to Lafayette to start a family He also enjoys the Steven Michael Gaudet , Jr. 337-235-3395 for Domingue to see patients and practice dentistry, and soon immense rewards that come go untreated, because he they had their daughter, Danielle. with treating patients. Southern Endodontic Specialists barrasfamilydentistry.com “I enjoy giving people the 1211 Museum Drive gets a tremendous amount of Peter T. Bayles satisfaction in helping others. A smile they’ve always wanted, Houma 824 West Fourth St. Lafayette native, Domingue says and especially helping those 985-917-0084 who have been living with pain Dequincy the men in his family influenced houmaendo.com his decisions and pushed him or missing teeth to give them 337-786-6221 to work hard. While a student at their old smile back,” he says. Blair Paul Gremillion drbayles.com St. Thomas More Catholic High Outside of work, Domingue Ascension Endodontics enjoys spending time with his Douglas S. Ber School, Domingue’s grandfather, 17563 Old Jefferson Hwy. Dr. W.I. Smith, a “larger-than- daughter and wife. He is also 511 Cardinal Drive Prairieville life” influence on Domingue, involved in the anti-abortion Thibodaux 225-677-5000 pushed him to consider dentistry movement in Lafayette: recently 985-447-9379 instead of medicine. His father, he started a Right to Life ascensionendo.com Raymond, instilled in the young Education Endowment Fund in Charles A. Bernard III John E. Levin Domingue a strong work ethic. honor of his grandfather and 2726 Kaliste Saloom Road Levin Endodontics His uncle, Dr. J. Jerome Smith, Dr. Zerbon Bienvenue, who Lafayette Domingue says are considered 312 West University Ave. whom he would eventually work 337-984-9414 for, provided the guidance he to be the gradfathers of the Suite A, Lafayette needed to get into dental school. pro-life movement in the 337-236-9880 Gerard M. Beyt Acadiana Parish area. Domingue graduated from levinendo.com Beyt Family Dentistry LSU, where he earned a bachelors “We have seen an outpouring 306 South Main St. of science, in 2003, and then of praise from schools, churches, Michael J. Marcello II Saint Martinville completed dental school at families, students and youth Premier Endodontics 337-394-3768 LSU School of Dentistry in New groups,” he says. “Our efforts 117 St. Michael St. have grown so fast we have now Orleans in 2007. After dental Thibodaux Mark J. Bilello school, he moved to New York been able to spend time with over 399 Bayou Gardens for three years to pursue a 10,000 youth around our parish.” 985-625-3636 residency and fellowship. At premierendo.net Blvd., Houma 985-872-9470 Brookdale University Hospital Kenneth W. Parks and Medical Center in New York houmacomprehensivedentistry.com City he served as Chief Resident Lake Area Endodontics of the Dental and Oral Surgery 636 West McNeese St. Gary Joseph Blanchette Department and trained in Lake Charles Sulphur Dental Associates Advanced General Dentistry and 337-477-6124 2920 Maplewood Drive lakeareaendo.com Sulphur, 70663-6114 337-625-2671 Anthony B. Rainwater 3909 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy., Richard Irvin Borne Suite B Southdown Dental Center Lafayette 103 Southdown West Blvd. 337-233-7113 Houma, 70360-3943 rainwaterendo.com 985-876-5564

42 | acadiana profile june/July 2015 acadianaprofile.com | 43 Ellis David Braud Jr. Peter J. Dorsey Lance Lege Daniel M. Perry John C. Theriot Robin C. Ardoin Craig Hannie Crawford Mark Boston LaHaye 810 Bayou Lane Dorsey Dental Group Inc. 904 North Cushing Ave. 4301 Lake St. 121 Rue Louis XIV, Suite 2 Oral & Facial Surgery Center Crawford Orthodontics LaHaye Orthodontics Thibodaux 3447 Fifth Ave. Kaplan Lake Charles Lafayette 203 A Energy Pkwy. 701 West College St. 100 Pecan St. 985-446-2888 Lake Charles 337-643-7766 337-478-0812 337-984-3408 Lafayette Lake Charles Thibodaux 337-478-2014 drperrydentistry.com lafayetteladentist.com 337-234-1780 337-478-7590 985-446-0988 Nathan H. Bray Jr. Dean Leonard Listi omfsc.com drcrawfordorthodontics.com lahayeortho.com Hennigan Dental Christy Gail Drum-Ammons 904 David Drive Randall R. Perry Seema Marie Varghese 700 West McNeese St., Suite B 214 West McNeese St. Morgan City Family Dental Care SWLA Center for Health Services David Gunter Baughman John C. Daire James A. Leithead , Jr. Lake Charles Lake Charles 985-384-4044 1430 West McNeese St. 2000 Opelousas St. Oral-Facial Surgery Center 858 Kaliste Saloom Road Leithead Orthodontics 337-478-8470 337-478-0870 drlisti.com Lake Charles Lake Charles 1608 Polk St. Lafayette 615 West College St. hennigandental.com 337-474-0212 337-493-5145 Houma 337-291-9141 Lake Charles Lige F. Dunaway III Trace L. Lynn drrandallperry.com swlahealth.org 985-879-1972 daireorthodontics.com 337-478-8091 Charlie Buller III 121 Representative Row Sulphur Dental Associates oral-facialsurgerycenter.com leitheadorthodontics.com 206 North Thompson Ave. Lafayette 2920 Maplewood Drive Esperanza M. Prato Robert Roy Vaughan Kerwin V. Donaldson , Jr. Iowa 337-264-1890 Sulphur 2816 First Ave. 1402 Oak Park Blvd. Donald P. Boudreaux , Jr. Donaldson Orthodontics John F. Moffett , Jr. 337-582-7225 ligedunawaydds.com 337-625-2671 Lake Charles Lake Charles Southern Oral & Facial Surgery 519 North Lewis St. Moffett Orthodontics 337-437-7107 337-478-2850 606 Rue De Brille New Iberia 1509 West McNeese St. Rebecca Charpentier Rachel R. Durel Bryan Manning New Iberia 337-367-8866 Lake Charles Charpentier Family Dentistry Bergeron Family Dentistry Manning Dental Associates Jason R. Ray Paul D. Vidrine 337-560-0131 donaldsonortho.com 337-479-0300 600 Rue de Onetta 636 South Belle Circle 1910 Maplewood Drive 698 East First St. Westlake Dental Care soafs.com Danielle Ardoin Dore moffettorthodontics.com New Iberia Breaux Bridge Sulphur Thibodaux 902 Shady Lane, Suite A 1144 Coolidge Blvd., Suite F 337-369-6587 337-332-5141 337-625-8787 985-446-8037 Westlake Clay S. Chandler Allison A. Moise-Hamada Lafayette newiberiasmiles.com coreybergeronfamilydentistry.com manningdental.com thibodauxdentist.com 337-433-1306 Lafayette Oral Surgery and Dental Hamada Orthodontics 337-267-7645 Implant Specialists 131 Ormond Center Court Carl W. Churchman Jr. Robert J. Foret Kent Raymond Mauduit Kurt S. Rothermel Lamar E. Waguespack , Jr. doresmiles.com 3839 West Congress St., Suite C Destrehan 3640 Common St. 705 Plantation Road Poetic Smiles 817 North Ave., Suite K La Vie Dental Lafayette Noel P. Dragon , Jr. 985-725-0509 Lake Charles Thibodaux 429 West Airline Hwy., Suite F Crowley 109 Johnny Dufrene Drive 337-984-0403 301 Rue Beauregard, Suite A hamadaorthodontics.com 337-477-5043 985-446-8821 La Place 337-783-2113 Raceland lafoms.com Lafayette 985-652-3121 985-532-5303 John Marion Oubre James Richard Churchman Joshua Ryan Guidry Charles C. Savoia 337-412-6281 laplacedentist.com Gene O. Dupree John Oubre Orthodontics for Churchman Family Dentistry 556 Cardinal Drive 200 Clinic Drive Jerome M. Walker Lafayette Oral Surgery and Dental Whybra Joseph Duay , Jr. Children and Adults 150 West Prien Lake Road Thibodaux Katherine McCardell Donaldsonville 600 Liberty St. Implant Specialists Duay Orthodontics 1605 Kaliste Saloom Road Lake Charles 985-449-0611 300 Doucet Road 225-473-1082 Houma 3839 West Congress St., Suite C 1301 Victor II Blvd. Lafayette 337-478-1700 Lafayette 985-851-2653 Peter S. Guidry Lance N. Savoie Lafayette Morgan City 337-988-2025 337-989-1268 Mary S. Churchman 1234 David Drive, Suite 106 Lance Savoie Family Dental Ryan Walker 337-984-0403 985-385-1850 droubre.com mikemalonedds.com 3632 Common St. Morgan City 105 Rue Centre St. 1700 Saint Charles St. lafoms.com Albert P. Ellender Alan Carl Perry Lake Charles 985-385-5423 Matthew J. Melancon Abbeville Houma Ellender Orthodontics Harold David Kennedy Lake Charles Orthodontics 337-478-4022 Melancon Family Dentistry 337-892-4774 985-851-1633 102 Ramey Road Sara R. Guidry Oral & Facial Surgery Center 1837 West Prien Lake Road marychurchmandds.com 300 West Madison St. abbevilleladentist.com Houma 556 Cardinal Drive Daniel A. Weaver 203 A Energy Pkwy. Lake Charles Broussard 985-851-1234 Robert C. Cochran Thibodaux G. Kyle Slaven Lake Charles Center for Lafayette 337-478-2805 337-837-1861 ellenderortho.com Moss Bluff Family Dental Care 985-449-0611 Smile Design dontics Restorative Dentistry 337-234-1780 lakecharlesorthodontics.com melancondentistry.com 1434 Sam Houston Jones Pkwy. 671 South Post Oak Road 715 West College St. omfsc.com Jude P. Fairchild Herbert M. Hamilton, Jr. Paul C. Perry Lake Charles Mark M. Miller Sulphur Lake Charles Lake Charles Orthodontics 406 West McNeese St., Suite B Edward A. Neupert III 3109 Maplewood Drive 337-855-7748 1516 Eighteenth St. 337-625-0008 337-478-3123 1837 West Prien Lake Road Lake Charles Lafayette Oral Surgery and Dental Sulphur Lake Charles kyleslavendds.com smilelakecharles.com Lake Charles Katie Courville Roberts 337-477-9790 Implant Specialists 337-625-5330 337-478-9994 337-478-2805 3632 Common St. J. Jerome Smith Stephanie B. Weaver 3839 West Congress St., Suite C paulcperry.com Donald P. Harris lakecharlesorthodontics.com Lake Charles James Philip Mire 200 Beaullieu Drive, Building 2 Lake Charles Center for Lafayette 605 Rue De Brille Stephen E. Searcy 337-478-4022 102 Mystic Blvd. Lafayette Restorative Dentistry 337-984-0403 Guy Warren Favaloro New Iberia Searcy Orthodontics marychurchmandds.com Houma 337-235-1523 715 West College St. lafoms.com Favaloro Orthodontics 337-367-6144 3839 West Congress St., Suite B 985-868-5337 acadianadentistry.com Lake Charles 416 Belle Terre Blvd. William S. Darr Jr. Christopher J. Saal Lafayette Edward J. Hebert 337-478-3123 La Place 107 South Morgan Ave. Edward Morris Moody II John L. Speer Oral-Facial Surgery Center 337-984-0178 1540 Country Club Road smilelakecharles.com 985-652-2178 Broussard 404 East Texas Ave. 3425 Louisiana Ave. Lake Charles 1608 Polk St. favaloroorthodontics.com searcyortho.com 337-837-3117 Rayne Lake Charles C. Leonard Wise Houma 337-474-4892 Melanie Merrill Fowler Donovan Paul Soignet wdarrdds.com 337-334-2967 337-477-6561 1200 North Victor II Blvd. Suite 100 985-879-1972 scottmhannamandds.com Dr. Melanie Fowler Orthodontic Soignet Orthodontics moodydentist.com Morgan City oral-facialsurgerycenter.com Daniel Domingue James J. Stafford 1001 East Seventh St., Suite A Craig S. Landry 985-384-0926 Studio 200 Beaullieu Drive, Building Two Benjamin M. Ory 2670 Hwy. 20 350 Doucet Road, Suite 100 4906 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy., Thibodaux Lafayette Ory Family Dentistry Vacherie ORTHODONTICS Lafayette ORAL AND Building O 985-446-5211 337-235-1523 430 West Fifth St. 225-265-3026 337-981-9242 MAXILLOFACIAL Lafayette S. Jay Waguespack IV acadianadentistry.com La Place drjamesstafford.com Catherine Schwab Coreil drcraiglandry.com SURGERY 337-981-4350 4906 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy., 985-652-9616 Le Centre Orthodontic Arts Dennis Edward Donald Michelle E. Swift orthodonticstudio.com Building L, Suite 1200 Michele Lavergne orydentists.com 7845 Main St. 627 West College St. Michelle Swift DDS Family 4306 North University Ave. Randolph H. Alexander Houma David A. Guidry Lafayette Lake Charles James A. Pearce Dentistry Carencro 2708 Aster St., Suite A 985-853-1142 Guidry Orthodontics/ Acadian 337-233-3677 337-478-3646 1221 Coolidge Blvd. 1333 Oak Park Blvd. 337-896-3062 Lake Charles lecentreortho.com Orthodontics jaywagortho.com drdennisdonald.com Lafayette Lake Charles 337-478-9843 1234 David Drive, Suite 202B Mark N. Coreil Richard L. LeBlanc 337-269-0564 337-478-2960 Morgan City Le Centre Orthodontic Arts 4003 Louisiana Ave. jamesapearcedds.com michelleswiftdds.com 985-372-2399 7845 Main St. Lake Charles GuidryOrtho.com 337-477-8360 Houma 985-853-1142 lecentreortho.com

44 | acadiana profile june/July 2015 acadianaprofile.com | 45 toughest case: Full Rehabilitation by Lauren Laborde | photos Romero & Romero PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY Paige Sigsworth Associates in Pediatric Dentistry Kennell P. Brown, Jr. 17534 Old Jefferson Hwy. Suite C1 Katie Courville Roberts | General Dentistry | Lake Charles | marychurchmandds.com 306 North Lewis St., Suite Two Prairieville New Iberia 225-673-9600 337-369-7654 aipdbr.com Claudia A. Cavallino Scott L. Worley For Dr. Katie Courville In 2013 she married Landon Roberts, The Dental Depot a Shreveport native, whom she dated Bayou Childrens Dental Center Roberts, the toughest kind of 4600 Lake St. with Dr. Mary Seale Churchman through college and married after he 4752 Hwy. 311, Suite 115 case she deals with as a dentist Lake Charles is also her most rewarding: at their Lake Charles office, completed law school and she was Houma when a patient's teeth have she’s discovered more about the done dentistry school. When they’re 985-868-8331 337-474-0246 irreparable damage that requires field, but it has proven to be the not working their demanding jobs, bayouchildrensdental.com thedentaldepot.com full mouth rehabilitation. dynamic, satisfying profession the couple enjoys “normal stuff” like “In general, the most she thought it would be. spending time with family, hanging out Gantt N. De Jean PERIODONTICS challenging case is when you “I’ve discovered that problems with friends, and going to restaurants 1604 Kerr St., Suite 101 to try different types of food. get a patient that has teeth in aren't always straightforward or Opelousas M. Randal Comeaux have only one answer. Sometimes Roberts and her husband seem poor working condition. Those 337-948-8253 Periodontics Associates are like a blank slate,” she says. you have to take several lessons to enjoy an ideal work-life balance. “Dentistry is flexible, so it 3839 West Congress St., Suite D Thanks to advances in to arrive at an answer best for N. Paige Gaudet hasn’t impeded on having fulfilling cosmetic dentistry, Roberts says, your patient,” she says. “What Bayou Childrens Dental Center Lafayette home life,” she says. “When I go there’s hope for these patients: keeps it exciting is sometimes you 4752 Hwy. 311, Suite 115 337-989-0267 home, dentistry is not consuming a patient can have a smile that start out thinking, ‘Where is this periodonticsassociates.com my whole day. It’s just about [my Houma is both functional and esthetic. case going to go?’ and when you husband] and being at home.” 985-868-8331 James M. Finley “It’s nice not seeing people think through it and get all the Roberts says it’s a good match bayouchildrensdental.com struggle as much,” she says. “It’s records you need to fully evaluate Finley Periodontics because her and her husband both amazing what you can do with the patient, it comes together.” 111 Rue Fontaine work in demanding, but different, fields. Roger G. Grimball, Jr. implants and dentures nowadays.” The Lake Charles native Lafayette “I like that we both understand each Grimball Pediatric Dentistry While difficult, these cases attended Barbe High School and other, and each other comes first,” 910 Beglis Pkwy. 337-347-7368 are satisfying because of then moved to Baton Rouge to she says. “We both love our jobs and finleyperio.com the life-changing results. attend LSU. She moved back Sulphur to Lake Charles because what we do concluded we can have “These are always the 337-625-2212 Monroe M. Howell she loves the small-town it all: We can have each other, have a most rewarding cases. You see grimballdds.com 1117 Canal Blvd. convenience it offers and happy home life and fulfilling careers.” someone’s whole life transform,” being in close proximity John Alexander Hendry Thibodaux she says. “They have confidence to her family. Both her 985-446-3855 because they’re able to smile.” 185 South Beadle Road immediate and extended Roberts knew she wanted to Lafayette Bryan S. Pearson family still live in the area. go into the field after working 337-234-2349 Periodontics Associates “We’re always with at a dentist’s office one summer. drjohnhendry.com my family,” she says. It’s 3839 West Congress St., Suite D She was a freshman at LSU where comforting knowing you Lafayette she enjoyed studying biology Leslie J. Jacobs have a support system.” and chemistry and knew she Dr. Leslie Jacobs Pediatric 337-989-0267 wanted to work in healthcare, Dentistry periodonticsassociates.com but wasn’t sure if she wanted to 113 Rue Fountaine Murray L. Rabalais , Jr. pursue medicine or dentistry. Lafayette, 70508 After working in the office and Progressive Periodontics 337-500-1500 experiencing the never-dull, 236 Progressive Blvd. people-oriented nature of the makeyourkidssmile.com Houma field, that informed her path. William A. Keaty 985-447-1500 “I absolutely loved it,” she 350 Doucet Road, Suite 101 louisianaperiolaser.com said of the summer job. “I liked that every day was different, Lafayette Edward T. Savoy every patient was different. 337-981-9242 2708 Aster St., Suite B You kind of never know what nocavitykids.com Lake Charles you were going to get.” 337-474-2612 “I liked that I could make S. Troy Miller a change in someone and Quest Pediatric Dental Group Raymond J. Steiner get immediate results.” 210 Beaullieu Drive 4550 Lake St. After graduating from LSU Lafayette Lake Charles with a degrees in biological 337-347-7365 337-478-1000 sciences in 2008, Roberts troymillerdds.com raymondsteinerdds.com attended LSU School of Dentistry New Orleans where she earned Danielle Robinson her doctorate in dental surgery in 631 West College St. PROSTHODONTICS 2013. Now that she is a practicing Lake Charles dentist, working in partnership 337-474-2563 Conrad F. Frey III philipmosesdds.com Frey Prosthodontics Eric A. Sanders 185 South Beadle Road, Building Sanders Pediatric Dentistry One, Suite C 2620 Country Club Road Lafayette Lake Charles 337-354-0004 337-433-5437 freypros.com sanderspediatricdentistry.com

46 | acadiana profile june/july 2015 acadianaprofile.com | 47 48 | acadiana profile june/July 2015