Mrs. April
Owner, Director, Instructor
Ballet 1 , 2 - Jazz 1 ,2,4 - Lyrical 2,3-Contemporary 4- Technique/Conditioning - Tiny Tot- GSMD Competition Team
Grace Studio of Motion and Dance is owned and operated by April Grace - a native of Southwest Virginia and a graduate of Radford University with a Bachelors Degree in Dance. While in attendance at Radford University Grace studied Choreography, Dance Production, Improvisational Dance, Pilates, Creative Dance for Children, Dance Education, Dance History and Acting. Her technique experience includes Modern, Ballet and Jazz dance. Performance experience includes rolls in Fall Dance Fest, Dancing on the Edge, Student Choreography Showcase, Choreographic Studies Showcase and “danabella Dance Works.” Grace also served as Assistant Stage Manager for productions produced by RU’s Department of Dance; other backstage rolls included lighting, music and curtain. Grace has over twenty years experience teaching dance, gymnastics and creative movement in dance studios, gyms, gymnastics training centers and master classes as far as Colorado. Grace was also the choreographer for "Bye Bye Birdie' in 2013, "Anything Goes" in 2014, "Guys and Dolls" in 2016, "The Drowsy Chaperone" in 2017, and "Oklahoma" in 2019 for Abingdon High School. Grace has also choreographed "Beauty and the Beast" for Theatre Bristol in 2017. Grace Studio of Motion and Dance opened in September 2011. As director, Grace is eager to share her knowledge and passion for dance with the community.
Grace has also earned her Pilates instruction certification from AAAI/ISMA and is certified in Acrobatic Arts.
Grace has also earned her Pilates instruction certification from AAAI/ISMA and is certified in Acrobatic Arts.
MISS KATIE
INSTRUCTOR
GSMD COMPETITION TEAM COACH
Katie Crosswhite danced with GSMD through high school. She has experience in Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Modern and Contemporary. While she was a student Katie won several awards as part of the GSMD competition team. She also taught several pre-k and level 1 classes. Katie is currently a student at E&H. She is so excited to share her knowledge with the completion team again year as a coach for a second season. Katie is also certified in Acrobatic Arts.
INSTRUCTOR
GSMD COMPETITION TEAM COACH
Katie Crosswhite danced with GSMD through high school. She has experience in Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Modern and Contemporary. While she was a student Katie won several awards as part of the GSMD competition team. She also taught several pre-k and level 1 classes. Katie is currently a student at E&H. She is so excited to share her knowledge with the completion team again year as a coach for a second season. Katie is also certified in Acrobatic Arts.
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MISS REGINA
INSTRUCTOR BALLET 3, BALLET 4, POINTÉ Regina Rice began her dance training at The American Academy of Ballet WNY at the age of 5. She went on to graduate from Walnut Hill School on a dance scholarship. Post diploma, she continued her education and went on to receive her Bachelor of the Arts from the University at Buffalo, Master of Science, Sports and Health Sciences from American Public University, and ultimately her Master of the Fine Arts from Wilson College. Additional training includes Classical Ballet of WNY, The Boston Conservatory, and Nashville Ballet. Regina has performed professionally, as a guest artist, with Buffalo Inner City Ballet, Highlands Ballet Company, Bristol Ballet, and currently performs with Asheville Ballet. Lead roles comprise of Sugar Plum Fairy, Queen of Hearts, Lilac Fairy, Maleficent, Dew Drop Fairy, and Wicked Witch of the West to name a few. Furthermore, she worked to build the first dance program at a community college in the state of Virginia at Southwest Virginia Community College where she presently works as the Strength and Conditioning Coach in the athletic department. |
MRS. KATHY
INSTRUCTOR
PRESCHOOL TAP - TAP 1, 2, & 3/4
Kathy Gibian Tap danced from the time she was 4 years old through college. During her professional career she took and taught various tap classes. Since retiring from the William King Museum she has been taking adult Tap classes. She is very excited to share her love of tap with GSMD students!
Kathy is a professional artist and teacher.
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MISS HAILEY
INSTRUCTOR HIP HOP 1, HIP HOP 2/3, Jazz 2, LYRICAL 2/3 & TECHNIQUE Hailey Byington began her dance training at the age of 3 at Studio one in Kingsport, TN. While her time there she was a member of the competition team where she won many awards and a scholarship to the Broadway dance center in New York. She also was a junior assistant and then became a teacher at Studio One. She has studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Musical Theater. After high school she went to Radford University where she studied dance and education but after a year she came closer to home and went to Southwest Community College. There she studied dance, education, and music. She graduated in spring 2022 with education and music. Now she is going to King University where she will finish her education and be a member of their dance team. She still takes dance classes all the time so she can grow as a dancer and a teacher. |
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MISS HANNAH
INSTRUCTOR PRE-K BALLET, BALLET 1 My name is Hannah. I am 16 years old. I'm a Junior in high school this year and have always been homeschooled. I joined GSMD in 2019, however I've been dancing since I was four years old. Although I was trained in classical Ballet, GSMD has helped broaden my range of dance styles. I take Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Technique. I've also had the privilege of being part of the Competition Team! I'm so excited to continue teaching at GSMD this year! I hope to share my love of dance with every dancer I teach! |
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MISS SADIE
INSTRUCTOR JAZZ 1, PRE-K BALLET, PRE-K JAZZ My name is Sadie. I have been homeschooled my whole life and I’m currently a Sophomore in High School. I have been dancing with GSMD for 11 years. I study Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, and Technique. Since I was little I’ve always dreamed of becoming a dance teacher. In 2021, I started assisting in several classes. GSMD is a wonderful environment for students to learn dance while also having fun and making friendships! I have enjoyed dancing at GSMD all my life and I’m so excited to continue teaching for my third year! |
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MISS LAKLYNN
INSTRUCTOR BALLET 1, PRE-K BALLET My name is Laklynn and I am 17 years old. I am homeschooled and I will be a senior this coming school year. I enjoy taking Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, and Technique. I've been dancing with GSMD for about 11 years and will be competing with the GSMD team for the second season this year. I love helping out with the younger kids in their classes. In my free time I enjoy painting, going on walks, and baking. I am greatful to be dancing and helping with such a wonderful dance company! |
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MISS ERIN
INSTRUCTOR TINY TOT, PRE-K JAZZ I am a sophomore at Abingdon High School, and I have been dancing since I was 6. Highlands was my first dance studio, but in 2018 I switched to GSMD. This studio has been like a second home to me, and I always have the best laughs here. I began studying ballet and jazz when I first started dancing but quickly grew a love for modern and hip hop. When I’m not at the studio, I babysit, ride and care for horses, and spend time on the lake with my family and friends. I love spending time with kids and setting a good example for them. I was overwhelmed with excitement when Mrs. April told me I could start training to be a dance teacher. I am thrilled to meet and have so much fun with all of the kids! |