Natalie Sims is the owner of Toes of Grace Dance Studio. She grew up dancing competitively which led her to more serious studies. She graduated with a BA in Dance from Western Kentucky University with a minor in Performing Arts Administration. While at WKU, she studied ballet, jazz, modern, and tap. She was a member of the WKU Dance company which traveled abroad to Italy to dance, and also was rewarded the Doris L. Owens dance scholarship. She spent some time in D.C. for a dance internship and performed with Next Reflex Dance Collective but decided that TN was her home. In 2011, Toes of Grace began as she felt like God was calling her to start her own ministry through dance.  Furthering her education after college, she is also certified in Progressing Ballet Technique, Acrobatics Arts, CPR, and Youth Protection Advocates in Dance. She loves helping dancers find their confidence on and off the dance floor.

AnnaMarie is a dancer, artist, singer, actress, and educator who grew up in a small town in North Alabama. She began dancing and performing at a very young age and pursued musical theatre at the local community college (Northeast Alabama Community College), by auditioning for their 2015-2016 season where she was cast in her first production, Big Fish. She did multiple performances at NACC until she graduated in 2019 with an AA in Theatre. During her time with NACC theatre, AnnaMarie recognized the need for dance education in the area and decided to open a small dance studio at the age of 17. As she performed, was a part of the creative team for NACC Theatre, competed in dance competitions, and began a small business, she realized that the hustle, creativity, and love she found in the world of performance needed a significant place in her future. AnnaMarie Bethune is a graduate of Wayne State University with a BS in Dance and a minor in Musical Theatre. At Wayne State, she was very involved in the dance and theatre departments, participating in many concerts, choreography opportunities, and community events. She studied under incredible professors and dance professionals such as Meg Paul, Dr. Biba Bell, Karen Prall, and many more. She has taught for nearly 8 years in many styles to a wide range of ages. She has an enormous passion for dance education – she believes most in not just teaching students to dance but teaching them skills to carry through life.

My name is Peyton, I was born in Nashville, Tennessee and was raised on a farm in West Tennessee. I have been dancing since I was three years old in all styles from jazz, tap, hip-hop, modern, contemporary, lyrical, ballet, and jazz-funk. I have been privileged enough to train with multiple facilities from pursuing my Dance Degree at UALR to Joffrey Ballet, Vanderbilt, and Millennium Dance Complex to name a few. I lived in Kansas for a few years and I was a part of the Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders 2018 Training Team. I was also on another professional team during my time there called the Kansas City Twisters and the Head Coach of The GEHS Blazerettes Dance Team. Back home in Nashville I danced for the Nashville Sounds Baseball Team, The Bxndts, and a few local artist on top of being a Tennessee Titans Cheerleader finalist for three years. Besides dance one of my biggest passions is teaching. I’ve been teaching since I was 15 years old. I am so excited for this year at the studio and to teach these kids not just about dance, but about life in the dance world and in the real world.

Louise Hudson is joining Toes of Grace as Office Administrator. She has three daughters who took dance from early childhood and one who continued professionally. She worked in a dance studio for 4 years prior to moving to Tennessee.

McKinley is a local artist and educator who began dance training in her hometown of Columbia, Tennessee at the young age of three. After training at Columbia Dance Academy through her senior year of high school, she went on to pursue dance at the collegiate level at Western Kentucky University. During her time at WKU, McKinley was a member of the WKU Dance Company, led the National Dance Education Organization Student Chapter as Vice President and eventual President, traveled to New York City for a unique study away experience, and studied multiple facets of dance including Pedagogy, Choreography, Dance Anatomy, and technique. After earning her BA in Dance and BA in Communication Studies from WKU, McKinley joined Emergence Dance Company in Orlando, Florida before returning to Tennessee to teach and audition for opportunities in the Nashville area. With an incredible passion for both dance and people, she is extremely excited to help students find true confidence and value within this artform that they can carry far beyond the studio.

Kelsey Teagle is an educator, choreographer, and personal trainer, born and raised in Hutchinson, KS where she trained in various dance styles at Poetry in Motion Dance Productions, formerly known as Judy’s School of Dance. She is a graduate of Wichita State University after receiving her BFA in Dance. Kelsey has performed under many choreographers, even touring to Mexico with the Wichita Contemporary Dance Theater. Before moving to Tennessee, she spent the last 10 years teaching at studios in Wichita, KS and the surrounding area including Encore Dance Studio, Poetry in Motion Dance Productions and Newton Performing Arts Center. She was also an adjunct professor of Dance at Butler Community College in El Dorado, KS teaching Modern, Ballet, and Jazz from Fall of 2019 to Spring of 2022. In addition to her studio and collegiate employment, she was the Head Dance Team Coach for the Maize South Dance Team from August 2020 to May 2022. Kelsey is currently based in Hendersonville, TN and is excited to be among the dance community. She recently completed her Certified Personal Training Certification through the National
Academy of Sports Medicine and is excited to incorporate a focus of strength and fitness for dancers into her classes. Kelsey loves sharing her passion for dance and inspiring young dancers to express themselves in her classes and through her choreography.