Meet The Team

Katie has over forty years’ experience in dance and received her formal dance training at Dancerschool of Madison, University of Georgia, and Athens School of Ballet. She has taught ballet, jazz, lyrical, and tap to all ages in the Madison and Athens area for over thirty years and has choreographed for a variety of community and school performances including many productions with Madison Community Theater, Morgan County Schools' drama productions, liturgical dance at the First United Methodist Church in Madison, and various fundraising for charities in and around Madison. Katie is also a retired English teacher from Morgan County Schools and is certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Marie returned to the Pointe of Grace staff in January 2020 but previously taught before leaving for college. Marie received her formal dance training at Pointe of Grace Dance Academy and Southern Spice Dance Academy. She participated in the Pointe of Grace Competition Company taking many first-place awards for solos and groups pieces. Marie starred in multiple Pointe of Grace productions including the Mad Hatter in Finding Wonderland, the Sugar Plum Fairy in Once Upon a Nutcracker, and the lead role of Piper in History 101. She attended Shenandoah University for a year and half studying ballet, modern, jazz, contemporary partnering, improv, and the history of dance. The summer of 2019 Marie studied  dance and performed dances in several European countries. She now choreographs for the POG Company and teaches classes during the week as well. She recieved a BA degree in Dance Pedagogy from Brenau University.

Larkin continues with  Pointe of Grace staff this year teaching a few new classes.  Larkin began dancing at age three and went on to dance competitively in middle school and high school. She pursued a minor in dance at the University of Georgia and participated in the CORE Contemporary and Aerial Dance Company for two years UGA under Bala Sarasvati. Larkin is married to Brad Kelly and has three daughters, Martha, Deary, and Wilma. She currently works as a clinical dietitian at Navicent Health Baldwin in Milledgeville GA. Larkin has been around and a part of dance her entire life and is excited to help introduce our dancers to such a fun and rewarding discipline! We welcome Larkin to our POG Company choreography team!

​

Chelsea continues with Pointe of Grace staff this year to teach our Tap classes. Chelsea received her training at a studio in Winchester, Kentucky, Dance FX Athens, and the University of Georgia.  She has a Batchelor’s Degree in Physical Education from UGA and participated in Tap Dawgs, a tap performance group at UGA. She also teaches and choreographs for Dance FX in Tap, Musical Theater, and Contemporary. We also welcome Chelsea to our POG Competition Company choreography team. 

Pointe of Grace welcomes Leslie back to our staff this year! Leslie trained at Pointe of Grace throughout her school years and participated in our competition company, achieving many platinum awards. Leslie has performed leading roles in several Pointe of Grace productions including Alice in Finding Wonderland and Wonder Woman in Adventures in TV Land. Leslie taught at Pointe of Grace and choreographed for our Competition Company throughout high school and college. She received a BSEd in Music Education from the University of Georgia. She is married to husband Caleb and is a stay-at-home mom for her daughter Mary Wells. 

​

​

Ellie has been dancing since she was 3 years old. She trained at Pointe of Grace and now she teaches several classes. She has assisted classes at Pointe of Grace and taught dance at Summit Academy for several years.  As a former member of the Pointe of Grace Competition Company, Ellie has participated in many extra hours of technique and choreography lessons. She has also starred in several Pointe of Grace performances portraying Lady Aislinn in A Neverland Tale, Ms. Armstrong in Broadway Here I Come,  Scarecrow in Wizard of Oz, and most recently as Cinderella in Happily Ever After. Ellie is currently attending Georgia College and State University majoring in education and minoring in dance.

McCormick is a soon-to-be graduate of Young Harris College where he majored in Music Education and minored in Theater. Because of his love of musical theater, McCormick comes to Pointe of Grace with lots of experience both on stage and behind the scenes. He has starred in many theater productions and received his dance training at Pointe of Grace. As a student at Young Harris, McCormick served as music director, co-music director, stage manager, and assistant choreographer for multiple shows.   

Charlee joins the staff of Pointe of Grace this year teaching Creative Movement, Primary Ballet and Tap, and Preschool Tumbling. She has been assisting in these classes for several years and looks forward to working with our youngest dancers in her new capacity. Charlee is a senior at Summit Academy and is taking several dual enrollment classes. As a member of Pointe of Grace Competition Company and participant in our most advanced classes, Charlee continues to work hard to hone her dance technique and will make an excellent addition to the Pointe of Grace staff.

Brandi is returning to Pointe of Grace as an instructor for Creative Movement and Primary Ballet & Jazz. Brandi is a POG alumni who graduated high school in 2018 and went on to receive a Bachelor's Degree in fashion merchandising with an emphasis on brand Management. She currently works as an administrative assitant for Hendrix Real Estate Group. As a dancer at Pointe of Grace, Brandi competed in our Competition Company and starred in several productions such as Joan of Arc in History 101 and the White Rabbit in Finding Wonderland and taught dance for several years in high school. Welcome back, Brandi!

Indie was adopted by Marie Hayes in 2021. She has been our studio pup ever since! If you see her in the studio, make sure to give her some pets!

*She is a registered Emotional Support Animal*