Our Staff

Kaley Etheridge
​Owner/Director/Instructor/Choreographer

Kaley began studying dance at age three. From the moment she put on her first pair of dance shoes, it was clear that dance was forever going to be a part of her life. Since she was a little girl, she dreamed of owning her own dance studio and sharing her love for dance with others. Growing up, Kaley danced at several dance studios throughout Lakeland, studying ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, broadway, lyrical, contemporary, and partnering. She was also a part of the performance company at Rebekah's Sole in Motion. In 2010, she began an apprenticeship under the instruction of Rebekah McLeod, at Rebekah's Sole in Motion, and continued her training until 2012. Then, in 2012, she began her career as an instructor and choreographer at Rebekah's Sole in Motion. There, she taught multiple classes covering various genres of dance. In 2016, the dream for Southern Grace Dance Company was placed on her heart, and her vision grew from there. She wanted to create a wholesome environment where dancers could flourish and grow not only into beautiful dancers, but also learn through the discipline of dance,  how a person of grace should carry themselves.​
Julie Ellison
Tap Instructor/Choreographer
Julie’s first experience performing came at the age of two, as she tap danced alongside her sister at the local Shriner’s Club.  It was during this time that dance became a defining part of Julie’s life.  She studied ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, acrobatics and modern dance under the direction of Debra Coe and Amanda Bell at Amanda’s Dance Center (formerly Debco Dance) in South Daytona.  As a young dancer Julie attended workshops, competitions and scholarship auditions across the state of Florida with Florida Dance Masters and DANCEAMERICA-Dance Olympus where she had the opportunity to study with many master teachers.  During college the need for dance still ran through her veins and after completing her Masters Degree in Human Nutrition she found her way back to the living art of dance.  It was in 2012 that Julie got the privilege to share her love of dance with her own students. Through this experience she realized how sharing the discipline of dance can enrich so many other lives and she is so grateful to be a part of the Southern Grace family. 
Elizabeth Barwick
 Instructor/Choreographer
Elizabeth has always had a passion for dance. She grew up dancing at the Brandon School of the Dance Arts and later moved to Rebekah’s Sole in Motion. She studied ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, hip-hop, and musical theatre and was also a member of the performance company at Rebekah’s Sole in Motion. In 2012, Elizabeth began teaching hip-hop and ballet classes at Rebekah’s Sole in Motion until she left for college. She attended the University of Mississippi and earned a Bachelors of Science in Hospitality Management. After graduation she moved to Nashville, Tennessee and worked in hotel management for Chartwell Hospitality. In 2018 she returned home to Florida and joined the staff at Southern Grace Dance Co. where she taught a variety of styles of dance to students of all ages.  A career change later moved her to Oxford, Mississippi where she pursued a career as a cake decorator at a well known bakery. After 3 years she felt it was time to come back home for good. She has joined the Southern Grace staff once again and is thrilled to do what she is passionate about. She believes that dance provides structure and a sense of commitment for children while instilling a confidence that will last a lifetime.
Emily Wenglarz
Hip-Hop, Jazz/Hip-Hop, Ballet/Tap Instructor/Choreographer
Emily came to us from Indiana, having moved to Lakeland in late 2020. She graduated from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN, majoring in Business Management as well as a minor in Dance. She began dancing at age 3 at Backstage Studio of Dance. It did not take long for her to find her passion for dance and began taking more and more classes. Emily has experience in Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Jazz, Celtic and Ballroom. As the years went on, Emily became more confident in herself on stage and excelled. She danced with Backstage Studio of Dance for 17 years. She was a member of the competition team and received countless awards for group dances, trios and solos. Emily and the competition team danced at the World of Dance Competition at Disney World and took master classes with Dancing with the Stars pro, Lindsay Arnold and choreographer, Geo Hubela. She was a mentor to the younger ones and helped teach dance at the studio she attended. 17 years was not enough dancing for her. She went on to dance at Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN and minored in Dance. She took ballroom classes, was a part of some dance clubs and was on the Saint Mary’s Dance team for three years, also Vice President of the dance team. While in college, she taught dance to Special needs adults as well and really enjoyed seeing their smiling faces while dancing. Emily not only danced on stage, she expressed herself in her performance, and released her feelings, leading with her heart and soul and left everything she had on that stage. Dancing is so much more to Emily, and she is excited to share this passion with others.
Michelle Etheridge
Receptionist, Office Manager
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Michelle has been a part of the dance world for many years. She has spent countless hours in dance studios watching, supporting, and encouraging her daughter, Miss Kaley, so she is well acquainted with the life of a dance mom. She has played a very active role dream, vision, and start of Southern Grace Dance Co. The studio wouldn't be what it is today without her support, help and encouragement. Michelle is very in tune with the needs of a dance studio which makes her vital to our team, as she carries many roles. She is the friendly face in our lobby, she helps manage our daily office needs, and she is there to encourage and help inside the classroom when needed as well.  We couldn't be more blessed to have Michelle on our team!