Alicia began dancing at the age of 3, and trained in her early years in a studio in Pennsylvania. At the age of 13, she began dancing with Jeanne O'Connell. Alicia was a member of Steps Dance Center Senior Company and a member of Orchesis at her high school. She attended numerous dance conventions in the Chicagoland area. While in high school she began working as a classroom assistant and eventually an instructor at her home dance studio. She then attended Northern Illinois University where she took numerous dance classes under Paula Frasz. She graduated from NIU with a Bachelor's degree in Special Education.
Alicia continued teaching dance and found her true calling at a Christian dance studio. Since she is a bible believing Christian she knew that she could use dance as a way to praise the Lord. She taught at both Steps to Grace in Rockford, IL and Reflection Dance in Lecanto, FL. After many years of teaching Alicia became the Dance Director of Leap of Faith Arts Ministries in Plainfield, IL. Under the guidance of the Executive Director, Becca Heye, Alicia learned the fundamentals of opening her own dance studio. After a lot of years of praying Alicia and her husband, Kyle, decided it was time to open a place of their own. They look forward to meeting you and pray that Graceful Gifts is what you are looking for.
Jenn began dancing locally at 3 years old and quickly found dance to be her passion. By high school, she was dabbling in all forms of dance from ballet and contemporary to tap and hip hop. She also began teaching younger students at the studio and discovered a love for teaching children. While studying at Palm Beach Atlantic University, she decided to major in dance and minor in student ministry to further investigate the link between creative movement and worshiping God. She danced with PBA’s dance ensemble and was able to travel with them to New York City to take classes at The Ailey School, Broadway Dance Theater, and Cunningham Technique. During the summer of her graduation, she visited Texas for a dance intensive with Ad Deum Dance Company and knew she wanted to empower others with the love of God and a love of dance. She moved to Seattle, WA with her husband to dance and teach for 2½ years with Sixth Day Dance, a Christian modern dance company.
Jenn moved back to Melbourne, FL in 2012 and looked for outlets to share her passion for Christ-inspired dance. While she enjoyed teaching children in many places, including Gymboree Play and Music, Faith Fellowship Academy, and other local dance studios, she didn’t find “home” until she took her oldest daughter to a Mommy and Me class at Graceful Gifts Dance Academy. After one amazing conversation, she joined the team and God has been growing her and her students ever since. She’s now happy to be bringing her two daughters, Meliana and Adelyse, as well as her son, Kaianu, to grow and experience dance in the Christ-centered environment of Graceful Gifts Dance Academy.
Beginning dance at 4 years old, Ruthie Voris studied ballet and pointe at a Christian studio called In His Steps in Upstate New York. It was at that studio that her love of dance was born. Upon moving to Florida at 13, she studied not only ballet and pointe, but modern, lyrical, jazz and musical theater at a Christian studio in Orlando called Art from the Heart. These many years of dance cemented Ruthie's love of choreography and teaching, and deepened her passion for story-telling through the arts. Ruthie, along with a team from that studio, helped to created the outreach performance team Proclaim61. This team performed locally and eventually went to India to teach dance as therapy. Later, Proclaim61 was made a part of United Abolitionists as the dance team for their Set Free Event where Ruthie went on to become the Director of Dance. During that time, Ruthie also held many dance camps for children and teens studying ballet, lyrical and modern.
Ruthie is a wife to her husband Nate and mother to her two children, Mercy and Clark. Ruthie is also a registered nurse of nearly 5 years with a background in mother-infant care at Advent Health, as well as CPR and phlebotomy instruction for Health First. She loves Jesus and knows Him as her savior and is so excited to be teaching in a studio which honors Him first. Ruthie cannot wait to meet the students and their families and continue the incredible journey of dance together.
Deborah Crisafulli
Teacher
Deborah is so excited to be back in the classroom sharing her knowledge and love of dance with the wonderful students of Graceful Gifts Dance Academy! She grew up in a family dance school business that began in Germany. Eventually, the family settled in Brevard County, and in 1970 Erika’s School of Dance was born. The studio, thrived for over 35 years. Over the many years, Deborah instructed hundreds of students in all genres of dance. The studio, and resident company, the East Coast Dance Theatre, produced beautiful original works, as well as several full length ballets. Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, and the Nutcracker Ballet were performed on the King Center Stage. The Nutcracker became a 22-year tradition! Deborah collaborated with her mother, as a choreographer, as well as principle dancer. In addition to running the studio, Deborah attended numerous dance workshops, camps, and conventions. She trained for one year at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in NY, and Jacob’s Pillow in Mass. Deborah was also active in the Brevard County community theatre scene. She has choreographed over 40 musicals, and performed principle roles in many. She was also the resident choreographer for Eau Gallie’s High School’s Fine Arts Dept., for 17 years. In addition to dance and theatre, Deborah lead worship at a local Christian Church for 7 years. She now sings with the praise Team at FBCMI. She is married to Joel, and together they have 4 children, and 3 precious grandchildren. Two of the grands will be enrolling at Graceful Gifts this fall! Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Deborah is grateful to Graceful Gifts for the opportunity to teach again, and gives all thanks and glory to Jesus Christ for His endless provisions. Amen!
Beth Clay
Teacher
Dancing has been a lifelong passion for Beth. She started at Gretta Matheny's School of Dance in Titusville when she was eight years old. The studio welcomed all abilities and was Christian based. Beth became a student teacher during her teenage years and gained valuable experience. She learned many dance styles and attended senior-level classes. After completing her training, she taught tap and ballet to young children for over eight years. While at the studio, Beth also participated in Davidic dancing, which involved worshiping the Lord while dancing at weddings and other church events. As a teacher, she focused on improving her students' technique and choreographing dances for her classes. Beth attended various dance conventions, including Dance Revolution, during her time at the studio.
Beth is currently a 5th-grade lead teacher with Florida Virtual School and has taught students for 13 years. She has always worked with children in one form or another since she was about 12 years old. She volunteered at youth camps and Sunday Schools and worked on staff at First Baptist Church of Orlando as an assistant to the children’s pastor. In this position, she coordinated Sunday morning activities and Vacation Bible School for over 1,000 attendees.
Beth has a strong connection to her hometown of Brevard County and cherishes her family deeply. She is a proud mother of four children, a bonus mom to five more, and a loving Gigi to eight grandchildren. Dance has always been an essential part of Beth's life, and when she found Graceful Gifts, she found her heart again after the closing of Gretta's School of Dance with the passing of Gretta Matheny. Finding the love of Christ in a dance studio is so important, and she knew she was home again.
Naomi Hammonds
Teacher
Naomi was a cheerleader for all of her school years from 1st grade through college. She found that it was dancing that made her passionate and so drawn to cheering. In high school she started choreographing her own dance routines. After college, she joined Studio One in Orlando and competed at Hip Hop International in 2013, taking 1st in nationals and represented the USA in the HipHop International World Olympics as a part of the MegaCrew division. She was then led to joining a ministry touring team where she could dance while having a positive influence on youth in high schools across the country, using her real life stories and experiences paired with dance and other performing arts to teach students to make wise decisions and to speak up about what they’re going through.
Naomi has a great passion for both dance and youth ministry. Her and her husband currently serve as youth leaders at their church. She is a stay at home mom with her two kids, Lily and Tatum. She is excited about this season in life in the way that she is able to do ministry through dance and be present with her family.
Christopher Rodriguez
Teacher
Bio Coming Soon
Tiana Millar
Teacher
Picture and Bio Coming Soon
Catherine Blanco
Theater Teacher
Catherine began acting as a teen and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre/Drama from Grand Canyon University. After her first career as the drama teacher at Arizona Conservatory for Arts and Academics, Catherine chose to pursue her Master of Arts in Teaching and work as Production Manager, Director, and Teaching Artist for the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts in Arizona where she managed up to 18 theatrical productions each year. As an actress, she has performed in many theatrical stage productions, commercials, and films. Catherine and her husband, Adriane, founded Renewal Performing Arts, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, bringing family-friendly entertainment to the community through theatre, film, and music. Catherine is Artistic Director for Renewal Performing Arts producing two musical theatre productions each year as well as an annual performing arts summer camp. She has also written several plays and musicals.
With a passion for teaching and learning, Dr. Catherine Blanco, Ph.D. is an online professor of critical and creative thinking for a nationally recognized university where her college students chose her as Faculty of the Year in 2022 and 2023. Most recently Catherine and her husband moved with their five children from Southern California to Melbourne, Florida. They attend Cross Bridge Church in Rockledge where her husband, Adriane, is Worship Arts Pastor. Her children are homeschooled and her daughters dance at Graceful Gifts Dance Academy.
Catherine is excited to be a part of the Graceful Gifts staff who share her love for Jesus, and she thanks Jesus Christ, her Savior and Lord, for the many blessings beyond measure that only He provides.
Crystal was born and raised in south Florida. She went to high school in Michigan where she met her husband, Kevin. After graduation her family had enough of the cold winters and came back home, landing in Brevard County. Kevin followed suit, they got married and started their family which is now almost complete with three beautiful children (Christian, Kylie and Gabriel) and their cat Oliver (still waiting on the dog).
Prior to getting married and having a family, Crystal worked in the Wellness Department at the Cocoa YMCA as a Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor teaching classes such as: Boot-camp, Cardio Kickboxing, Sports Conditioning, Cycling and Stretching. She also led the kids running club at the Y and coached cross country and the distance track runners at Cocoa High School for a few years. After having her third child she took a break from working in the Fitness Industry to be home with her children. To keep up her group fitness certification, she took various courses throughout the years. One of those courses was Zumbini, a mommy & me style Music & Movement Class. She has been holding Zumbini classes at the dance studio since 2018 and this summer got reacquainted with teaching a few fitness classes as well.
Throughout childhood and high school Crystal participated in various forms of the performing arts, such as drama, choir, and musical theater. She always loved dancing and is thankful for all she has learned while taking classes here at Graceful Gifts. Her true passion lies in worshipping Jesus through sign language. She learned some sign language as a kid and later took a few semesters of American Sign Language (ASL) in college. The final assignment was to pick a song and sign it for the class. The project propelled her into something she had never imagined doing on stage, signing with the worship team at church. Now signing songs is one of her favorite ways to minister to those who come to our big shows each winter and spring. Her prayer is that those who see her sign will experience the power of the Holy Spirit moving in their lives so that they will know the love of Christ Jesus.
McKayla Williams
Administrative Assistant
Bio Coming Soon
Becky Brothers
Adminstrative Assistant
I was born and raised here in Rockledge, Fl. I graduated Rockledge High and then from Eastern Florida State pursuing my AS in early childhood development. I got married to my best friend in 2014 and we now have 3 children. After working at Merritt Island Christian for 13 years I became a stay at home mom in 2018 and I have loved being home with them. When my daughter was 3 we found Graceful Gifts and haven’t looked back. I am so excited to be a part of an amazing team and being able to serve the Lord along side of them!
Amanda Brooks
Administrative Assistant
Picture and Bio Coming Soon
Kristin Prettol
Costume Coordinator
Bio Coming Soon