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 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.
Taryn Thompson
AdMIN Specialist-
Care & Convenience
Taryn is one of our dance moms who also works part-time as our Care and Convenience manager. She makes sure our dance-wear merchandise is well stocked for your convenience, facilitates our Cinderella shoe program, and puts her degree in Sociology to work as she coordinates initiatives to support our dance families.
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.
Savannah Brierley
AdMIN Specialist-
Student Experience
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.
Heather St. Clair
Flip Captain
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Abby Justice
Dance Ministry Educator
Abby serves as our Bitsy Ballerina Coordinator, and she is also the Children’s Pastor at Faith Community Church. Abby has many years of experience teaching music in both private and public school settings, Abby uses her extensive music background and passion for family ministry to offer mother/daughter bonding experiences that enable our “Bitsy Ballerinas” to develop a love for music and developmentally appropriate growth opportunities through music and movement.
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.
Katie Barnes
Dance Ministry Educator
Katie works in finance during the daytime hours but spends one night a week putting her lifetime of private dance studio training to use as she supports our teen ballet students. Katie is also a ROG dance mom, an active part of the music team at her church, and an amazing Christian mentor for many of our teen girls.
Amanda Lively
AdMIN Team
Amanda is a treasured part of our evening AdMIN team. Amanda serves our tiniest ballerinas and their families as she manages the details of the Purple Palace.
Debbie Robbins
AdMIN Team
Mrs. Debbie is Laura’s mom! After years of managing hospital laboratories, she stays busy during her “retirement years” helping the dancers and families at the Purple Palace and creating beautiful handmade hair bows and wreaths through her business “RIBBONS of Grace.”
Lexi Foster
AdMIN Team
Lexi Foster is part of our AdMIN team at the Purple Palace. While she isn't a dancer, she was pageant girl for many years and worked at a Bridal/Prom dress store through college- meaning she loves all things glitter and sparkle! "While all of that is beautiful and fun, I am most excited to be on this team because it truly is a ministry. In every action taken, event attended, and dance performed, it is evident that the ROG team is working to further the Kingdom and teach our future generation(s) their worth found in Christ!"
Jennifer Hartsog
AdMIN Team
Jennifer is a long time dance mom who works at the Detail Desk in our main building. She goes above and beyond to make sure things are organized and that our little dancers are safe before and after their classes each week. (She also makes REALLY cute balloon arches and party decorations in her spare time.)
Kate Fisher
Student Teacher
Kate is a Junior at Woodrow Wilson High School.
Alyson Mullins
Student Teacher
Alyson is a Junior at Shady Spring High School.
Ashton Prince
Student Teacher
Ashton is a Junior at Oak Hill High School.
Reagan Bennett
Student Teacher
Reagan is a Senior at Shady Spring High School.
Kiara Simmons
Student Teacher
Kiara is a High School Senior Homeschool student.
Bella Thibeault
Student Staff: Resource Support
Bella is a Junior at Summers County Comprehensive High School.