Ms. Dawn Mezzanares Palazzo is a native of New Orleans who began her dance education at the age of two. Since 1985 she has had the privilege of training with some of the city's finest in dance instruction. She has performed with The New Orleans City Ballet, The Jefferson Ballet ( under the direction of Myra Mier) and The Delta Festival Ballet as a member of their youth corps. In addition to her local achievements as a young dancer, Dawn danced competitively throughout the country earning high honors and numerous scholarships. She also has many film and both local and national commercial credits to date.

 At age 13, she decided to focus strictly on classical ballet and joined Ballet Hysell in 1990. Under intensive training with the late Harvey Hysell, she performed principal and soloist roles in such ballets as Nutcracker and Giselle and many of the company's original works.

Dawn has enjoyed teaching throughout the city and surrounding parishes for the past 20 years. She is well trained in all forms of dance with classical ballet being her greatest passion. Many of her students have achieved great success as competitive dancers and also professional careers in dance. Teaching has truly been the most  rewarding part of her dance journey thus far. She enjoys passing on to each student her knowledge and love for the art. In addition to teaching, Dawn continues to work as a guest artist with Ballet Louisianne.