Gina Hanser
A Letter From Our Director
37 years of dance experience, training and directing…
My passion is to embrace, empower and educate all my students on and off the dance floor. My motto is that they may not remember everything I have taught them, but they will always remember how I made them feel!!
Instead of listing my dance and teacher credentials here, I would rather take the time to bring you in on how things work at Gracefully FIERCE Dance Company.
Our name is a representation of learning to be graceful and humble on and off the dance floor and being Fierce in the pursuit to become a better you. I take much pride and initiative in making sure our staff is made up of trained and experienced teachers that will challenge your child to excel technically, develop as an all-around dancer, and to be confident and expressive. I love our teachers for their high energy, love of the art and passion to teach and nurture our youth.
At Gracefully FIERCE Dance Company, we will continue our education as teachers, learn everyday from your children, be a FAMILY and always strive to have your child leave our home with a smile!
Ok, my family, LET’S DANCE!
LOVE BIG, Ms. Gina
Alura Jones
Alura is thrilled to return for another great year at GFDC as the Company and Troupe Assistant Director!
She has been dancing since the age of 3 and is trained in the disciplines of Tap, Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Musical Theater, and Irish Step. She has previously worked as a co-teacher of young children in her home state of New York, where she also held the leadership role of Competition Team Captain for four years. She has received numerous national awards as both a performer and choreographer.
Being a competitive dancer for the majority of her life, she recognizes the importance of incorporating both physical and mental health and wellness into the dance world.
In addition to being a dance instructor, Alura is also a South Carolina State Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant who aspires to combine her love of dance with physical therapy to educate dancers on the importance of taking care of their body and mind so they can be the best version of themselves.
Abigail Perry-Pugliese
Abigail Perry is a native of Surfside Beach and a graduate of Socastee High School and the Paul Mitchell Cosmetology School in Columbia, SC.
She began studying various genres of dance while in early elementary school and knew even back then that she wanted to someday teach the art that she loved so much.
At age 15, while continuing to train, she began performing in Lakewood Camping Resort’s “High Steppin’ Country” during summers and in the award winning Socastee Singers during the school year. It was then that she acquired an interest in choreography. She stayed at HSC for seven seasons and was dance captain during her final three years. During that time, she attended Coastal Carolina University where she was a member of CCU’s dance team, Coastal Chicks.
While at CCU, Abi began to get choreography gigs. She was assistant choreographer for Legally Blonde at Forestbrook Middle School and lead choreographer for Georgetown County’s Gifted and Talented Program, B.E.A.C.H. News of her talent spread quickly, and her alma mater, SHS, brought her back to choreograph for both the Socastee Singers and the big spring musicals (The Little Mermaid, Big Fish, Beauty and the Beast, The Addams Family, and CATS). She was also hired to be the lead choreographer for Conway’s Theater of the Republic (Elf, the Musical, Footloose, The Bodyguard, Kinky Boots, and The Secret Garden). Along with choreographing for Socastee and TOR, she also choreographs at Myrtle Beach Area Children’s Theatre (Beauty and the Beast Jr, and Matilda Jr).
Even after moving to Columbia for school, Abi commuted to work at SHS and TOR. When people asked her how she did it, she just tells them that her love for dance got her through it.
LINDSAY PHILLIPS
Lindsay Phillips is born and raised in Andrews, SC, where she began dancing at six years old. After years of recreational and competitive dance, she began pre-professional ballet training at age 13 with Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre.
Upon her sophomore year, Lindsay enrolled at the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, where she furthered her technique and artistry in ballet and modern dance. After graduation, Lindsay moved to New York City to attend The Juilliard School and obtain a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. While there, she continued training in various dance categories, while also exploring her own choreographic passions.
Lindsay has had the pleasure of performing works by an array of choreographers including Justin Peck, James Whiteside, Ohad Naharin, Sonya Tayeh, and Jacqulyn Buglisi, among others. In addition to her passion for dance, Lindsay is first and foremost passionate about her faith. For a long time, she’s felt a calling to partake in ministry work and specifically pour into the lives of younger generations. Now, she is back in South Carolina, working as the Youth Director at Saints Delight PH Church.
Her ultimate desire is to blend her passions for dance, ministry, and youth, which is one of the reasons why she looks forward to beginning a new journey teaching the students of Gracefully Fierce Dance!
Megan Parker
Dance and music have been a part of Megan Parker’s life for as long as she can remember. Megan began teaching and choreographing at 14 and hasn’t stopped since. She was a competitive dancer for over 6 years and trained in all styles.
For ten plus years, Megan owned and directed EMpressions dance here in Pawleys Island. During that time her competition students won numerous regional and National titles and awards. Megan was also presented with Outstanding Choreography awards multiple times . They say, “all good things must come to an end…” and that was true for EMpressions. But in the last few years Megan has been blessed to have more time to spend with her husband Jimmy and their four kids, Greta, Harris, Sidda and Gaines.
Megan is in her second year of coaching the WHS Dance Team; which is something that fell into her lap and has been a huge blessing in her life. She also sings in the Praise Band at All Saints Church.
Megan is thrilled to have the opportunity to share her love and knowledge of dance to the students of Gracefully Fierce.
MALIA FRENCH
I am so very thrilled to be teaching Acro! I am a former gymnast and tumbling enthusiast and I have about 10 years of experience in gymnastics and coaching. I grew up in Lexington SC and I have been in the area for a little over 10 years. I have an early education degree from Coastal Carolina University and have been teaching children since 2015. On the side you can find me performing at The Theatre of the Republic in Conway. I love being on stage and I certainly love bringing that same love to children! I’m very excited to join the GFDC family!
Christie flaherty
Christie has been teaching recreational and competitive dance in Massachusetts for over twenty years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary education as well as an early childhood director certification. She uses her background in child development to help young dancers thrive, both physically and emotionally.
She is a lifelong student and continues to research and train in a variety of dance genres, methods of instruction and injury prevention. Along with her husband, two children (Charlie Grace – 5 and Wes-2), and two dogs, Christie has recently moved to the area and is thrilled to join the GFDC team!
Amanda Gallup
Amanda officially joined the GFDC staff this year after a couple of years of helping out. Her daughter, Annie is on the Junior Company team. In addition to working at GFDC, Amanda is also a photographer specializing in real estate and children’s photography. When she isn’t at the studio or dance competitions, you can catch her fishing in Pawleys Creek, playing tennis or watching her son Reed play baseball. Amanda loves being a part of the GFDC staff and helping do whatever is needed around the studio!
Melissa Cobb
Melissa has had a love for dance since she started at 4 years old. She attended Rollings Middle School of the Arts for ballet. She also did competitive dance and was a member of her high school dance team. When she’s not working, Melissa enjoys spending time with her nieces and her dog, Penny.
Stephen Williams
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