Instructors 2022-2023
Vanessa Diaz began her career in dance at the age of five. At the age of seven, Vanessa visited the U.S.S.R., Denmark, and Sweden on a dance tour. At age nine, she joined a dance troupe and has competed and traveled to many places including Orlando, Dallas, Nashville, Las Vegas, Anaheim, and New York. Vanessa has taken classes from the Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway. She is a graduate of CMSU (now UCM) with a Bachelor of Science in Education – Special Education degree. Vanessa has been teaching dance for twenty-four years, and is currently teaching her 20th year at By Grace. She continues to further her dance education each year by attending convention classes specifically designed for dance instructors. Vanessa is also pursuing her Masters Degree. She is a co-owner of the By Grace Performance Studio and has been teaching for the Clinton School District since the Fall of 2006. Miss Vanessa is a co-director of the By Grace Performance Team and the By Grace M.A.T.S. Team.
Jessica LaRue began dancing at the age of two and has been dancing ever since. Starting competitive dance at 12, she quickly grew into a prominent member of her studio and began teaching at 14. Jess went on to dance and choreograph for her high school dance team while being co-captain and captain. She made the all star team both her junior and senior years and was invited to dance with the UDA team (United Dance Association) in the 2005 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and the 2005 London New Year’s Parade! After graduating, Jess opted for a smaller school experience and went to Missouri Valley College where she studied business marketing and dance. She competed with the college dance team at the NAIA nationals all four years. Jess was also part of the Repertory Dance Ensemble, performing and choreographing for the fall and spring concerts each year. She became the school’s first dance major and went on to coach dance and cheer in Nebraska. She took a non-competitive team to nationals and placed 2nd in their first ever competition! After a year, she came back to Missouri to start her life with husband, Austin. Stepping back from dance full time, she continued to do freelance choreography in her spare time. In 2020, Jess joined By Grace and this year will be teaching classes and coaching the M.A.T.S. Team.
Melanie Strong is originally from Branson, Missouri. She began dancing at the age of 2. She has danced for 19 years in all styles (ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, hip hop, Pointe, and even folklorico (traditional Mexican dance). Melanie has danced with multiple companies all through Missouri such as MWDR Dance Company, Springfield Dance Alliance, competed in dance teams and even performed in multiple shows. She was invited to perform at Disney's Christmas Parade in 2015, perform in the 2016 London's New Years Parade and in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in 2017 through UCA (Universal Cheer Associate). She graduated from Missouri State University in May of 2021 with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Spanish. She got married to her high school sweetheart in the summer of 2021. Now she is enjoying her job as a 5th grade teacher at the Raymore-Peculiar School District and at By Grace as the Co-Director of the By Grace Performance Team.
Miranda Muenz was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and began dancing at the age of 3. She has danced for 17 years and is trained in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, contemporary, and musical theatre. Miranda is currently a BFA Musical Theatre Major with a Dance Minor at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. She has choreographed for studios, dance concerts and collegiate productions. Miranda is joining By Grace as a dance teacher on Wednesdays, and is looking forward to meeting her new students.
Maycee Wray has been dancing since she was 5 years old. She is now 16 years old and a Junior at Clinton High School. Maycee has been on the Clinton Crimson Girls Squad for three years. She has been on the By Grace Performance Team for 4 years and on the MATS team for 3 years. She is enrolled in Pointe, tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical/contemporary, and tumbling. She loves helping in any way she can, especially with little kids. Maycee would love to do this for many years and continue to teach younger students throughout her career. When Maycee graduates, she plans to attend college and become a PTA (Physical Therapist Assistant).
Alex Markham is a Sophomore at Clinton High School and has been in tumbling classes since preschool. She loves tumbling and hopes to help others enjoy it as much as she does. Alex has been an apprentice for 4 years and has been a member of the By Grace M.A.T.S. Team for 5 years. Alex plays the trumpet and french horn in band and is on the Varsity Cheer Team. When Alex graduates from high school, she plans on pursuing a career in physical therapy.
Vanessa Diaz began her career in dance at the age of five. At the age of seven, Vanessa visited the U.S.S.R., Denmark, and Sweden on a dance tour. At age nine, she joined a dance troupe and has competed and traveled to many places including Orlando, Dallas, Nashville, Las Vegas, Anaheim, and New York. Vanessa has taken classes from the Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway. She is a graduate of CMSU (now UCM) with a Bachelor of Science in Education – Special Education degree. Vanessa has been teaching dance for twenty-four years, and is currently teaching her 20th year at By Grace. She continues to further her dance education each year by attending convention classes specifically designed for dance instructors. Vanessa is also pursuing her Masters Degree. She is a co-owner of the By Grace Performance Studio and has been teaching for the Clinton School District since the Fall of 2006. Miss Vanessa is a co-director of the By Grace Performance Team and the By Grace M.A.T.S. Team.
Jessica LaRue began dancing at the age of two and has been dancing ever since. Starting competitive dance at 12, she quickly grew into a prominent member of her studio and began teaching at 14. Jess went on to dance and choreograph for her high school dance team while being co-captain and captain. She made the all star team both her junior and senior years and was invited to dance with the UDA team (United Dance Association) in the 2005 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and the 2005 London New Year’s Parade! After graduating, Jess opted for a smaller school experience and went to Missouri Valley College where she studied business marketing and dance. She competed with the college dance team at the NAIA nationals all four years. Jess was also part of the Repertory Dance Ensemble, performing and choreographing for the fall and spring concerts each year. She became the school’s first dance major and went on to coach dance and cheer in Nebraska. She took a non-competitive team to nationals and placed 2nd in their first ever competition! After a year, she came back to Missouri to start her life with husband, Austin. Stepping back from dance full time, she continued to do freelance choreography in her spare time. In 2020, Jess joined By Grace and this year will be teaching classes and coaching the M.A.T.S. Team.
Melanie Strong is originally from Branson, Missouri. She began dancing at the age of 2. She has danced for 19 years in all styles (ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, hip hop, Pointe, and even folklorico (traditional Mexican dance). Melanie has danced with multiple companies all through Missouri such as MWDR Dance Company, Springfield Dance Alliance, competed in dance teams and even performed in multiple shows. She was invited to perform at Disney's Christmas Parade in 2015, perform in the 2016 London's New Years Parade and in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in 2017 through UCA (Universal Cheer Associate). She graduated from Missouri State University in May of 2021 with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Spanish. She got married to her high school sweetheart in the summer of 2021. Now she is enjoying her job as a 5th grade teacher at the Raymore-Peculiar School District and at By Grace as the Co-Director of the By Grace Performance Team.
Miranda Muenz was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and began dancing at the age of 3. She has danced for 17 years and is trained in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, contemporary, and musical theatre. Miranda is currently a BFA Musical Theatre Major with a Dance Minor at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. She has choreographed for studios, dance concerts and collegiate productions. Miranda is joining By Grace as a dance teacher on Wednesdays, and is looking forward to meeting her new students.
Maycee Wray has been dancing since she was 5 years old. She is now 16 years old and a Junior at Clinton High School. Maycee has been on the Clinton Crimson Girls Squad for three years. She has been on the By Grace Performance Team for 4 years and on the MATS team for 3 years. She is enrolled in Pointe, tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical/contemporary, and tumbling. She loves helping in any way she can, especially with little kids. Maycee would love to do this for many years and continue to teach younger students throughout her career. When Maycee graduates, she plans to attend college and become a PTA (Physical Therapist Assistant).
Alex Markham is a Sophomore at Clinton High School and has been in tumbling classes since preschool. She loves tumbling and hopes to help others enjoy it as much as she does. Alex has been an apprentice for 4 years and has been a member of the By Grace M.A.T.S. Team for 5 years. Alex plays the trumpet and french horn in band and is on the Varsity Cheer Team. When Alex graduates from high school, she plans on pursuing a career in physical therapy.
Apprentices 2022-2023
Miss Maycee see above.
Miss Alex see above.
Miss Jasmyn is twelve years old and is in the 7th grade at Clinton Middle School. She has been dancing for eleven years! Jasmyn is enrolled in tap, jazz, ballet, tumbling, Pre-Pointe, lyrical, ballet technique, stretch & strength/leaps & turns, and musical theatre. She is a member of the By Grace M.A.T.S. Team and a 7th year member of the By Grace Performance Team. Jasmyn says she wants to be an apprentice to help others. She likes to be around little kids a lot. Jasmyn says she wants to be a preschool teacher when she grows up.
Miss Ashlyn M. is twelve years old and in the 7th grade at Windsor Junior High School. She has been dancing for six years. Ashlyn is a fourth year member of the By Grace M.A.T.S. Team and the By Grace Performance Team. She wants to be a tap, jazz, and ballet teacher when she grows up, with lots of awards.
Mr. Benjamyn is ten years old and started dancing at the age of three. He is a member of the By Grace Performance Team and the By Grace M.A.T.S. Team. Benjamyn loves to do hip hop, jazz, tap and musical theatre. He is in 5th grade at the Clinton Intermediate School. Benjamyn says he is willing to help!
Mr. Tyler is 14 years old and in the 9th grade at Windsor High School. He has been on the By Grace Performance Team for three years, competing in group dances and as a solo dancer. Tyler says he loves to apprentice little kids to help them get ready to move up in dance and tumbling. He is currently enrolled in ballet, tap, jazz, musical theatre, hip hop, lyrical, tumbling, ballet technique, stretch & strength/leaps & turns.
Miss Ashlyn S. has been dancing at By Grace since she was four years old. Ashlyn is now 15 years old, a freshman at Clinton High School, and has been on the By Grace Performance Team for seven years. She is also a member of the Crimson Girls Poms Squad at CHS. She is enrolled in tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, and lyrical. Ashlyn likes being an apprentice to help others. When she gets older, she wants to be a psychiatrist/therapist and be a dance teacher.
Miss Madison has been dancing since she was four years old. She is now 16 years old and a Junior at Clinton High School. This is Madison's 8th year on the Performance Team. In the summer of 2018, she was invited to the Chia Arts School of Dance Summer Intensive in Chicago, IL, which was directed by Kelsey Carpenter. By doing that, she was exposed to people of all nationalities. Madison is currently enrolled in tap, jazz, ballet, Pointe, and lyrical. She says she loves being around and teaching little kids and watching them grow to love dance as much as she does. When Madison graduates, she plans to attend Truman State University to study to be an LPN in Pediatrics.
Miss Haysel is nine years old and in the 4th grade at Leesville R-IX. She has been on the Performance Team for five years and has competed in group numbers, trios, duets, and is a soloist. Haysel is also a tumbler and has competed with the M.A.T.S. Team for six years. She is currently enrolled in tumbling class, jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, lyrical, and musical theatre. Haysel is excited to work with our younger students! She loves working with little kids and making friends and winnings awards!
Miss Maycee see above.
Miss Alex see above.
Miss Jasmyn is twelve years old and is in the 7th grade at Clinton Middle School. She has been dancing for eleven years! Jasmyn is enrolled in tap, jazz, ballet, tumbling, Pre-Pointe, lyrical, ballet technique, stretch & strength/leaps & turns, and musical theatre. She is a member of the By Grace M.A.T.S. Team and a 7th year member of the By Grace Performance Team. Jasmyn says she wants to be an apprentice to help others. She likes to be around little kids a lot. Jasmyn says she wants to be a preschool teacher when she grows up.
Miss Ashlyn M. is twelve years old and in the 7th grade at Windsor Junior High School. She has been dancing for six years. Ashlyn is a fourth year member of the By Grace M.A.T.S. Team and the By Grace Performance Team. She wants to be a tap, jazz, and ballet teacher when she grows up, with lots of awards.
Mr. Benjamyn is ten years old and started dancing at the age of three. He is a member of the By Grace Performance Team and the By Grace M.A.T.S. Team. Benjamyn loves to do hip hop, jazz, tap and musical theatre. He is in 5th grade at the Clinton Intermediate School. Benjamyn says he is willing to help!
Mr. Tyler is 14 years old and in the 9th grade at Windsor High School. He has been on the By Grace Performance Team for three years, competing in group dances and as a solo dancer. Tyler says he loves to apprentice little kids to help them get ready to move up in dance and tumbling. He is currently enrolled in ballet, tap, jazz, musical theatre, hip hop, lyrical, tumbling, ballet technique, stretch & strength/leaps & turns.
Miss Ashlyn S. has been dancing at By Grace since she was four years old. Ashlyn is now 15 years old, a freshman at Clinton High School, and has been on the By Grace Performance Team for seven years. She is also a member of the Crimson Girls Poms Squad at CHS. She is enrolled in tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, and lyrical. Ashlyn likes being an apprentice to help others. When she gets older, she wants to be a psychiatrist/therapist and be a dance teacher.
Miss Madison has been dancing since she was four years old. She is now 16 years old and a Junior at Clinton High School. This is Madison's 8th year on the Performance Team. In the summer of 2018, she was invited to the Chia Arts School of Dance Summer Intensive in Chicago, IL, which was directed by Kelsey Carpenter. By doing that, she was exposed to people of all nationalities. Madison is currently enrolled in tap, jazz, ballet, Pointe, and lyrical. She says she loves being around and teaching little kids and watching them grow to love dance as much as she does. When Madison graduates, she plans to attend Truman State University to study to be an LPN in Pediatrics.
Miss Haysel is nine years old and in the 4th grade at Leesville R-IX. She has been on the Performance Team for five years and has competed in group numbers, trios, duets, and is a soloist. Haysel is also a tumbler and has competed with the M.A.T.S. Team for six years. She is currently enrolled in tumbling class, jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, lyrical, and musical theatre. Haysel is excited to work with our younger students! She loves working with little kids and making friends and winnings awards!