Tell us about where you grew up and your family now.
I grew up in the small town of Zuni Virginia about 45 minutes from Va. Beach. I live in Goochland Virginia with my husband of 10 years, Todd Gravely and our 3 boys, Will age 8, Ben age 6, Matt age 5 and our only girl, our dog Honey 8 months.
When did you start dancing and what kind of dance did you do throughout your elementary/high school education?
I started dancing like most little girls when I was about 4 and I danced for 5 years. I then played softball and was a cheerleader. In 9th grade, I auditioned for the Governor’s Magnet School for the Arts Program. It was their first year as a full year program and I was accepted into the dance program. This was the moment that my life changed. I danced for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week in Norfolk Va and studied modern dance and classical ballet with some of the best teachers around. We were lucky to have an amazing director and mentor, Deborah Thorpe who brought in dancers from the Erik Hawkins Company and so many other great teachers. I took my first New York trip and was starstruck seeing my ballet teacher perform in the Broadway musical Cats. When I started teaching, I took over this tradition and have been taking my girls to NYC for over 15 years.
When did you realize you wanted to "do more" with dance and how did you get started with your business?
I knew after my 2nd year at Governor’s School that I wanted to dance. I was always very into choreography and my goal was to choreograph and have my own company. I went to VCU and got my BFA in dance and choreography and during that time I worked with an amazing Cancer Support Group and created a video and dance documentary my senior year. I also started teaching children’s classes and upon graduation, I taught dance in preschools, parks and recreation and at the Contemporary Ballet theater in Williamsburg. I also danced with Steve’s House Dance Collective in Richmond and was able to perform and choreograph. I was planning on going to grad school and then I was offered a teaching opportunity at the Children’s Creative Workshop with Suzanne McClung. It was a great fit and I quickly became attached to my students. and the grad school application were pushed aside. I wanted to start a performing company and give my students the opportunity to perform in a non-competetive atmosphere. So, Suzanne and I joined forces and created the Village Dance Studio and the Village Performing Company. As her family grew, I took over the business and we have been teaching together for over 17 years.
How do you find the time to juggle a family with young kids and a full time business?
In the beginning the business was my family and it still is but in a different way. My students are my girls and I come home to all of my boys. It was very hard at first to try and balance it all and it still is a struggle but I learned to delegate and trust my VDS team. My assistant Molly Grose is my right hand and helps run the day to day and my friend and choreographer Rob Petres also Artistic Director of Dogtown Dance theater has also been by my side as my technical director and instructor for over 15 years. I am lucky to have some of the best instructors in Richmond on staff and they are the only reason I can do both. I also have a great VDS family of parents and they understand that I am a work in progress. I do not pretend to have it right all the time but I work very hard to get there and I care about their kids. I also have a pretty amazing husband and he takes over the nights I teach or during recital time, winter concert time or for my NYC trips.
What are some of your favorite hobbies when not working?
I love yoga and going to the beach. I love being with my family and just doing what they love to do.
What is your favorite family vacation memory?
I have great vacation memories from every year but our favorite place is Hilton Head and I think it is because it is a place that my husband and I have been going every year since we got engaged. When we are there I remember our first trip and then trips when I was pregnant with each boy and each year that they grow up we have a new experience. It is like a little memory book for me.
What words can you offer to kids that want to keep dancing?
I think that dance is not really something that you choose, it is a piece of you. Like any artist, a dancer needs dance to release and express themselves. It is a wonderful art form with a magical balance of discipline and creative freedom. I know so many young dancers that leave because of school work or sports but they never leave dance, they just leave the classroom and usually not for very long. If your child loves dance and it is usually easy to see, then think of it not as one more thing that eats up your schedule but it really can be the release that allows them to re-boot and be more productive in other areas of their life. For those that want to find a career in dance, there are so many ways to use your talent with others and make a difference. You can’t focus on the end of the process before the process is done. Dance is an art form that takes a life time to discover. So, study ballet and modern and focus on your art and then the career will evolve.
