Laura Pinnick
CEO, Un and Deux Curriculum Developer & Dance Ministry Educator
Laura is the founder of ROG. She has completed the exams through Dance Masters of America and is certified to teach Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Modern. She has an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction (Integrated Teaching Through the Arts) and a B.A. in Elementary Education.
Read Laura’s full bio & journey to opening Rhythms of Grace here.
Kaity Moore
Director of Operations; Tap, Hip Hop & Wellness Captain; Trios Curriculum Director; Dance Ministry Educator
Kaity has a lifetime of private studio training, as well as certification in both jazz and tap from Dance Masters of America’s Teacher Training School. As Assistant Director, there are not many aspects of the studio to which Mrs. Kaity doesn’t contribute! She wears many hats and wears each one of them with excellence.
Jesse Thomas
Studio AdMIN Manager
After years of serving as an amazing dance mom to two sweet dancers, Jesse stepped in to the role of Studio Manager in 2023. She has a passion for working with children and for ministry, and those passions paired with her degree in Communications and Public Relations make her such a treasured part of our team! Jesse wears many hats including management of our studio communications, maintenance, and fundraising.
Jenna Meador
AdMIN Specialist- Performance/Media; Choreography & Dance Ministry Educator
Miss Jenna grew up in Beckley. She studied at several local studios as a child then continued her dance education at Marshall University where she earned both a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Technology and a minor in Dance. She returned to the Beckley area in fall 2022 and is a beloved instructor for our upper elementary and teen students.
Barbie Yurick
Dance Ministry Educator
Barbie has extensive experience in dance performance and dance education. Barbie has also served as a founding member of the WV Dance Company, a faculty member for the Department of Dance at WVU for 5 years, and a dance instructor for the prestigious Governor's School for the Arts for 9 terms. Barbie's hope is that each student leaves class feeling better than when they come in—physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
Heather St. Clair
Flip Captain; Dance Ministry Educator
Heather has a lifetime of tumbling experience, having tumbled in most of the private gyms in Southern WV. Heather spent her college years cheering on the Mountaineers as a WVU Cheerleader, and after college pursued a career as an Artistic Gymnastics coach that took her to the National Team Ranch in Texas. After a few years, the hills of WV called her home and she successfully started and ran her own gym in Oceana, WV for 10 years. After selling the gym, Heather put her Social Work degree to work and left the gym for an office job. God saw fit to connect Heather with ROG through her daughter’s love for dance.
Julie Doyle
Jazz, Contemporary & Twirl Captain; Dance Ministry Educator
Julie has a lifetime of private studio training, a Master’s degree in the Art of Teaching, and an undergraduate degree in Sports Medicine. She also has certification in both jazz and modern from Dance Masters of America’s Teacher Training School. Julie currently serves as a science teacher, dance teacher, and Lassie’s dance team coach.
Melanie Ellison
Dance Ministry Educator
Melanie works a Raleigh County government job during the daytime hours but spends her evenings combining two of her passions: ministry and dance. Melanie has a lifetime of private dance studio training. She constantly covers her students in prayer, and our Tiny Tutus and Step Stones students adore her!
Kayla Appell
Dance Ministry Educator
Kayla brings expertise in injury prevention and dancer health to our team. In addition to her career as a Registered Nurse, she works at Rhythms of Grace in hopes to share the love of Jesus and dancing to all of the students she may teach. Kayla has a heart for ministry and serves in our Leaps of Faith Ministry, as well as teaching many Step Stones dancers.
Kiara Simmons
Dance Ministry Educator
Kiara is an ROG Alumnus. She currently attends ACT in the cosmetology department.
Savannah Brierley
AdMIN; Dance Ministry Educator
Savannah studied dance throughout her childhood and teen years, and she has a huge heart for ministry. She is excited to combine those two passions as she works in both the teaching and administrative areas of Rhythms of Grace.
Sarah Calfee
Dance Ministry Instructor
Sarah began dancing at the age of 6. She is a former ROG dance and twirl student who has returned to teach our tiny dancers! Sarah is currently pursuing a nursing degree at WVU Tech. She has a passion for musical theater, majorettes, her faith, and investing in the lives of young dancers.
Angela Graham
Dance Ministry Educator
Angela has been teaching gymnastics in a variety of settings for over 20 years. She has a passion for ministry to students which she carries out not only at ROG but also as a cheer coach. Angela is also the founder and coach of the Sparklers, a special needs cheer team which has ministered to many families in our area.
Savannah Wright
Dance Ministry Educator
An ROG alumnus, Savannah received years of private dance studio training, after which she began studying Secondary Education, English Literature, Music (Piano), and Business at West Virginia Wesleyan College. In addition to her primary role as a private piano studio owner and instructor, and after years of experience as an Instructional Interventionist for the public school system, Savannah is excited to return to Rhythms of Grace and dedicate her time and talent to the dance community that played such a formative role in both her dance education and love of Jesus. She intends to use her musical expertise, years of dance experience, knowledge of pedagogy, and passion for ministry to provide her ROG students with an artistically enriching dance education, and to inspire a deep love of Jesus within them.
Kylie Wahl
Dance Ministry Educator
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Makayla Casenelli
Dance Ministry Educator
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Kate Fisher
Student Teacher
Kate is a Senior at Woodrow Wilson High School.
Alyson Mullins
Student Teacher
Alyson is a Senior at Shady Spring High School.
Daniella Whiting
Student Staff
Daniella is a Junior at Woodrow Wilson High School. .
Kennady Hanshew
Student Teacher
Kennady is a Junior at Midland Trail High School.
Bella Thibeault
Student Staff
Bella is a Senior at Summers County Comprehensive High School.
Devyn Lanna
Student Teacher
Devyn is a Junior at Woodrow Wilson High School.
Madalynn Luikart
Student Teacher
Madalynn is a Junior.
Debbie Robbins
AdMIN Team
Taryn Thompson
AdMIN Team
Jennifer Hartsog
AdMIN Team
Amanda Lively
AdMIN Team
Melissa Brewer
AdMIN Team
Becky Meredith
AdMIN Team
Christina Thibeault
AdMIN Team