The GCS “With Grace Ballet” Program teaches classical ballet with a Christian perspective for girls ages 4 through 8th grade. Classes are open to Grace Christian School students, as well the greater community and homeschool cooperatives. Our schedule is designed with classes during the day to help keep families around the table at dinnertime. Classes are one hour each and are available for summer week-long sessions, school quarterly sessions, and year-round sessions. Our year-round program tuition includes weekly classes, end-of-year recital and costume.
Each class begins with stretching and barre exercises followed by center and across the floor exercises. Students wear a ballet leotard, pink tights and pink ballet shoes. Students should bring a water bottle and hair should be in a ponytail or bun.
Our Mommy & Me classes are for expecting moms and moms with newborns through age 4. Moms may wear comfortable clothing, suitable for ballet.
Located at 2497 Jefferson Davis Hwy, the With Grace Ballet Studio is equipped with bars, mirrors, a sound system and custom dance flooring that protects from injuries and aids in proper technique training.
Emily Baugher began dancing at the age of four in the Washington, DC area at various local studios, rising above her peers to become the principal soloist. At age 10, she began an intensive classical ballet training at the Center for Ballet Arts.
During her classical training, she earned the highest awards in the Cecchetti method of ballet, was selected to perform for several First Ladies of the United States, performed in the 1996 FIFA World Cup at RFK Stadium, and was awarded multiple scholarships to attend summer intensive programs all over the world.
At the age of 13, she was awarded the National Training Scholarship (formerly the Coca-Cola Scholarship) and began an intense, resident training with the American Ballet Theatre under the direction of Rebecca Wright and Kevin McKenzie, dividing her time among the Washington, DC area, California and New York. As a part of this prestigious program, Emily attended and graduated from North Carolina School of the Arts. She then returned to New York City.
Soon after, Mrs. Baugher felt called to move on from ballet and pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Mrs. Baugher studied veterinary medicine and practiced as a nationally boarded Registered Veterinary Technician until God directed her to change paths once again, bringing her to Grace. In 2021, she began hosting ballet enrichment camps at Grace and joined the staff full time as the instructor in the rapidly growing ballet program in 2022.
Emma Hinson began ballet at the age of 3 at the local ballet studio in her hometown. Throughout her childhood and into teen years, she continued her training in ballet and tap. Later Emma ventured into jazz, contemporary, and clogging.
During high school, along with her own dance classes, she began to assist in ballet classes with the tiny ballerinas. This is where Emma’s love of teaching began. She helped teach the tiny ballerinas for two years and helped host several summer dance camps for all ages.
As Emma reached her senior year, she moved on from dance to focus on the next chapter. Leaving dance was not an easy decision, but she knew it would always be an important part of her life. As she graduated high school and decided on a career path, Emma decided to pursue a degree in elementary education. She is currently two years into that degree, and is adding a minor in performing art.
Emma loves all areas of performing arts, but specifically music and dance. She has a lifelong passion for dance and a desire to help children find the beauty of it as well. Her goal is for the students to learn the fundamentals of dance, but have fun while learning.
Emma is currently employed at Grace Christian School as a teacher’s aide assisting first grade. She is excited to now offer beginner ballet and jazz at With Grace Ballet. She is looking forward to meeting you in the studio.
For more information about our ballet program, please contact our Ballet Department.
