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 seventeen 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. 

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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 this year as a coach. 

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MISS ABIGAIL 
INSTRUCTOR 
BALLET 1, BALLET 4

​Miss Abigail began dancing at the age of three in Abingdon, VA, and began her training as a pre-professional with the Highlands Ballet Company at 13. She performed in featured roles at the Paramount Theatre in Bristol in productions such as The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Beauty and the Beast. Abigail attended several summer intensives at Nutmeg Conservatory in Connecticut, the American Ballet Theatre in Detroit, MI, and the Montgomery Ballet in Alabama. Abigail also starred in Little Women and Sweet Charity through the Virginia Interment College theatre department in Bristol, VA. She graduated from Radford University in 2015 with a bachelors in psychology, and currently works in community mental health, helping individuals with special needs. Ms. Abigail worked as the ballet instructor at Derek Wagner Dancer Center in Radford, VA from 2018 to 2023. During this time, she won 4 choreography awards at national competitions and choreographed and directed the studio premiere of the Nutcracker. She is currently a company member of Olina Dance Collective. Ms. Abigail is so excited to join the faculty of Grace Studio of Motion & Dance! She's passionate about helping students find their love of ballet in a body-positive environment, focusing not only on technique and artistry, but also mental health and joy!

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 D'ARCY
INSTRUCTOR 
BALLET 3, JAZZ 2, POINTE, TECHNIQUE PRE-K BALLET AND JAZZ (WED)
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D’Arcy Morrell began her dance training at age four under the instruction of Jo Rosser at Ballet Arts Academy. In 2009 she began training at Highlands Center for Ballet Arts, where she continued dancing all throughout high school. While at Highlands Ballet, D’Arcy danced several leading roles including Arabian in the Nutcracker and Alice in Alice in Wonderland. Upon graduating high school, she moved to New York City to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she obtained a degree in Advertising Communications in 2021. While living in New York she continued taking regular dance classes at Steps on Broadway. D’Arcy is currently back in the area and is dancing as a senior company member at Bristol Ballet. 

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MISS LARISSA 
INSTRUCTOR 
MUSICAL THEATER 

​​BIO COMING SOON...

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MISS HAILEY
INSTRUCTOR
HIP HOP 1, HIP HOP 2/3, LYRICAL 2/3 & HIP HOP 4
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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. 

MISS HANNAH  
INSTRUCTOR
PRE-K BALLET 
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My name is Hannah. I am 14 years old.  I'm a freshman in high school this year and have homeschooled my whole life.  I joined GSMD in 2019, however, I've been dancing since I was four years old.  Although I was trained in classical ballet at Highlands Ballet most of my life, GSMD has helped broaden my range of dance styles.  I take Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, and Technique. I've also had the privilege of being a part of the Competition Team! It has been an amazing opportunity and one I look forward to continuing. My hobbies include creating art, reading, and dancing, of course!  I am so excited to start teaching at GSMD! I hope to share my love of dance with every dancer I teach!


 

MISS SADIE 
INSTRUCTOR 
JAZZ 1
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I have been dancing with GSMD since 2013. 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. This dream is finally coming true and I couldn’t be more excited to teach the knowledge and joy of dance.
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MISS LAKLYNN
INSTRUCTOR 
BALLET 1
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My name is Laklynn and I am 15 years old. I am homeschooled and I will be a sophomore this coming school year. I enjoy taking Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, and Technique. I've been dancing with GSMD for about 9 years. 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!