New Orleans VooDoo Announce VooDoo Doll Directors, Trainers for 2015

From Our Sport sCentral

The New Orleans VooDoo have selected Bridget Cordes and Brittany Warden to lead the New Orleans VooDoo Dolls, the franchise’s official dance team, for the 2015 season.

In addition to Doll Directors, the VooDoo have also reached a partnership with The Duke Academy to provide weekly fitness and wellness training for the Dolls for the upcoming season.

“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Bridget and Brittany into the role of VooDoo Doll Directors,” said VooDoo General Manager Brandon Rizzuto. “Both have a passion for dance and the VooDoo Dolls that is contagious, a high-level of energy that is unmatched, and a work ethic that is tireless. I am positive that they will put together a VooDoo Doll team that will mirror their own traits and represent our organization with the utmost integrity.”

Cordes, a former New Orleans VooDoo Doll and New Orleans Honeybee, brings more than 10 years of dance experience to the franchise. Cordes was a VooDoo Doll from 2004-08, and was the first VooDoo Doll chosen by the Arena Football League to represent the New Orleans VooDoo as a member of the “Dream Team” in ArenaBowl XVIII. In addition to her selection, she was also the co-choreographer for the ArenaBowl XVIII half-time performance.

Cordes brings an immense amount of dance and cheer knowledge to the VooDoo Dolls. Throughout her career, Cordes has been a dance member and fitness leader on the television production: “Get Fit With Leslie,” a Louisiana Tumble-N-Cheer Academy assistant coach, and a dance instructor at Lydia Spreens’ Dance Dimensions. Cordes has also been a scholarship recipient to the Professional Dance Teachers Association Convention, a cast member of the Moscow State Ballet Production of the Nutcracker, and a cast member in the filming of Disney’s Wild Animal Kingdom TV special.

Cordes currently owns and operates her own bridal hair and makeup company, Bella Bride.

“It is an honor for me to have this opportunity to help lead the VooDoo Dolls, which is where my professional dance career began,” said Cordes. “My passion is dance and I am looking forward to raising the bar for the Dolls. I am also very excited about working alongside Brittany, and our upcoming tryouts.”

Warden, a three-year VooDoo Doll veteran and captain, brings not only experience, but also leadership to the VooDoo Dolls. The vibrant red-head first became a VooDoo Doll in 2011, and was named captain in 2013. She also represented the New Orleans VooDoo as a member of the Arena Football League “Dream Team” in 2013 at ArenaBowl XXVI. Warden enters her fourth year as a dancer and first year as a director alongside Cordes.

“Being a VooDoo Doll has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and to continue this awesome journey with the organization is dear to me,” said Warden. “I know that with Bridget, the sky really is the limit for us as dancers, role models and people. I cannot wait to begin our season.”

Warden is a sixth and seventh grade math teacher at Riverdale Middle School in Jefferson Parish. She also spent five years as a sign language interpreter for the Jefferson Parish Public School System. Warden also works for the Just Keep Living Foundation that is dedicated to empowering high school students to lead active lives and make healthy choices. Through this foundation, Warden is the cheerleading coach at the New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School.

In addition to new directors, the VooDoo Dolls will also be under the fitness instruction of The Duke Academy for the upcoming season. Owners Duke and Michelle Rousse will instruct weekly fitness and well-being classes for the Dolls, promoting healthy lifestyles for those chosen to the 2015 team. The Duke Academy is one of the nation’s premier athletic training institutions that has been training professional, collegiate and prep athletes for over 11 years.

“Health and fitness has always been a passion of mine. Making others feel physically and mentally stronger and finding beauty in their strength is what I strive for,” said Michelle Rousse. “I am excited to get the opportunity to share my passion with the VooDoo Dolls this year and look forward to helping each one of them achieve their goals.”