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. 
Annie Mears
Hip-Hop Instructor/Choreographer 
Annie is thrilled to share her passion for dance in her hometown and hopes to use that passion to empower girls. Annie grew up dancing; studying ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, hip hop and contemporary. She continued her education at Florida State University majoring in Communications and English: Editing, Writing and Media. However, she believes the dance classes she had the privilege to take as electives gave her the most insight into what it really means to experience life with others. After college, she worked for Publix in corporate communications and taught contemporary and hip hop at Rebekah’s Sole in Motion until she had her first baby in April 2016. Now, she stays home with her two boys; Carl (3) and Everett (born March 2018) and their day has no shortage of spontaneous dance parties! She believes dance builds the confidence and discipline a child craves which overflows into all areas of life.