Sarah Grace McDaniel - Miss Sarah has been dancing since she was four years old.  She received her core ballet training from the Grand Rapids School of Ballet, Turning Pointe School of Dance as well as from private instructors Jennifer Norder and Neva James.  She has also attended Ballet Magnificat's Summer Workshop in Jackson, MS as well as Joffrey Midwest Summer Master Classes in 2004.  Sarah Grace grew up in a Christian home and has a strong desire to glorify God with her dancing.  She has been teaching dance for eight years and loves to encourage girls to glorify God with their gifts in dance.  She has also traveled to the Dominican Republic in 2004 and 2007 to teach dance workshops with the Project Serve Mission Team. This is Miss Sarah Grace's third year with Hearts In Step. Her Choreography was seen in "The Revival at the Hive" and has been taken out into the community for many outreach events. This fall she will be  teaching Ballet and Combo classes as well as working with our Outreach Team.

our faculty.

Lauren Brock- "I would rather dance poorly with Jesus than sit perfectly still with anyone else."

Training and Career: Ms. Lauren started dancing at the age of five years old with many studios in the Grand Rapids area. She danced on her high school dance team and influenced the styles of dance, according to her beliefs. She is also responsible for helping to introduce Liturgical dance to her Church in Caledonia. She graduated from Western Michigan University with a minor in Dance and a major in Business Administration; Human Resources. This is her fourth year teaching with us, she feels so blessed to be a part of Hearts in Step and to be doing what she loves most, while sharing it with your children. "The Savior himself has called our name, extended his hand and invites us not only to be with him, but to partner with him in the work that he is doing in the world…The Lord of the Dance does not want us to worry about our feet. He merely wants us to feel the music, fall into his arms and follow his lead."

Teaching Focus: Miss Lauren teaches Beg Ballet, Lyrical, Jazz, Jazz Funk and Tap to all levels. She will be teaching at our Alger and South location in the fall.

2550 Eastern SE (Alger Heights)

Grand Rapids, MI 49507

Delighted they dance all day long... they can't keep it quiet! Psalm 89:16 (msg)

Tassia Hooks-Johnson - Ms. Tassia trained at the prestigious San Francisco Ballet School.  In 1984, she joined the Dance Theatre of Harlem where she performed feature roles.  She has produced pieces for the Dance Institute of Washington, the Grand Rapids Symphony, School of Grand Rapids Ballet, Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, and many others. Her ballet Belinda-O was a winner in the New York City based New Choreographers En Pointe Competition and was performed at the Lincoln Center in 1995.  In addition to her accomplishments as a dancer and choreographer, she is also known for her great teaching experience. As a teacher and mentor, she has worked with many dance organizations and schools such as the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Alvin Ailey, T-3's Dance Elite, CARE, and Dance Dimensions. Presently, is co-owner of PT Arts, LLC. Performing Arts Consultants.  Ms Tassia loves sharing her gift of dance to help HIS develop young dancers in body, mind, and spirit through Christ. This will be Ms. Tassia's fifth year with Hearts In Step. She teaches our upper level Ballet classes, and is the Co-Artistic Director of the H.I.S. ENSEMBLE.  Her beautiful choregraphy has inspired many throughout the community as her pieces have been seen in "The Door" , "Revival at the Hive" and taken out by our Outreach teams.

Bonnie O'Rourke - Having been trained in all genres of dance, Bonnie is well versed in Ballet, Contemporary, Modern and Hip Hop. Having studied hip hop under Yessy Gomez, Raymond Love, Markus Shields, Liz Miller, Brenna King, and Joe Stanitzek, Bonnie brings a variety of fun, and freshness to the world of hip hop!

Sarah Jantzen - Miss Sarah moved to the area from Bend, Oregon. She trained for 12 years and began teaching 10yrs ago.  Miss Sarah has had the opportunity to participate in dance programs at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington DC, the Sacramento Ballet, Ballet Magnificat, and has performed at the Vail International Dance Festival in Colorado.While in Portland OR, she had the opportunity to study under a well known performer, Gelsey Kirkland.  In 1999 Miss Sarah founded the Christian Dance Fellowship, a Christian dance program in Oregon. Under her direction, she choreographed an original ballet to Pilgrim's Progress.

After becoming a Christian at the age of 5, Miss Sarah committed to live her life for Him. She continues to live (and dance!) for Him today loves investing into the lives of the Hearts In Step dancers.  Miss Sarah teaches ballet  in our Training Ground, Recreational and our Graded Technique divisions at our North Location.

Kelly Boggus - Miss Kelly has had over 20 years of dance experience over 10years of teaching experience. She graduated with a minor in Dance from Huntington College in Montgomery, Alabama.  Kelly has been certified by Dance Masters of America to teach ballet, tap, and jazz.  She has worked with many other organizations including Turning Pointe School of Dance and Wealthy Theater, teaching Ballet and leading Sacred Dance Workshops.  Miss Kelly has been  teaching at Hearts In Step from the very beginning. She  teaches Preschool/Primary, Beg Ballet/Tap; Ballet II/III, Special Needs and our Apprentice Group.  Her choreography was seen in "The Door" and "Revival at the Hive" As our parent surveys will attest, "Miss Kelly radiates the love of Jesus in all she does. She is a very special teacher!"

Sarah Walters -

Training & Career: Miss Sarah began dancing at the age of 3 in the Russian method.  Since then she has studied under teachers with various ballet methodologies.  She became a member of the Marshall Community Ballet Company and starred in the roles of Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker.  Sarah attended Blue Lakes Fine Arts camp and toured Europe performing Swan Lake with Blue Lake International Ballet. She graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2006 with a BA in Dance. While in college, she studied under the direction of Jefferson Baum, Lisa Belrose, Sean France, and Coulin Radalescu. She spent the summer of 2003 training with the Richmond Ballet Company in Virginia.  Sarah has been teaching for 11 years for ages 3 to adult.  She has been married for five years and has two daughters ages 3 and 3 months.

Teaching Focus: Sarah values the importance of strong technique in a Christian environment.  “Strong technique is essential in ballet as it is the key to training the body to move freely in artistic expression”.  Sarah has worked alongside a local physical therapist over the last five years and believes strongly in injury prevention and screening in her classes. 

Sarah also knows the importance of emphasizing dancing for Christ rather than for oneself.   “I was raised in a Christian household, but dancing was something that was done outside of church and separate from my spiritual life.  It was something that I did just for myself and because of this my own human limitations were very discouraging to me.   As my eyes were opened to worship through dance, I experienced a whole new level of joy in my dancing. How amazing it is to give back to the One who gave me the love of dance!”

Sarah is excited to be teaching all levels in our Graded Technique Division.

Hannah Ferianc -

Training & Career: Hannah began her classical ballet training at age 6 years in both Cecchetti and Vaganova methods, and has attended classical ballet intensives around the country. She has taught dance for over 12 years and is a free lance choreographer.  Hannah’s students have pursued professional careers with ballet and contemporary/modern dance companies. She has performed, choreographed, directed and taught for dance studios, figure skating teams, church dance ministries, recording artists and performance events throughout Michigan. Hannah also performed and lectured at conferences in Europe. She was a member of the Macomb Ballet Company for 5 years, and has been a guest performer with them for 4 additional years performing solo roles in Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Les Sylphides and the Nutcracker. Hannah has completed Cecchetti student exams I -VI. She trained in contemporary technique and toured with the Wayne State University Dance Company from 1999-2001 where she performed many original works by choreographers including Sonya Tayeh, Erica Wilson-Perkins, Sammantha Shelton and Chris Masters. She also holds a Master of Social Work, a Graduate Certificate in Social Work Practice with Couples & Families, as well as a Bachelor of Social Work with a minor in Dance. In addition to choreographing and instructing dance, Hannah is currently a clinical social worker in private practice providing psychotherapy to individuals, couples and families.

Teaching Focus: Hannah is excited to provide pre-professionl training to students in a Christ-centered environment.  She is current HIS faculty and Co-Artistic Director of the Ensemble. Hannah focuses on proper muscular training and alignment alongside artistry and expression. "Dance is more than a series of steps. It's communicative artistry that needs to connect with the dancer and the audience. I want my students to leave each class knowing they worked out their brains, their bodies and their hearts."

Sarah Baumgras - Sarah began dancing when she was 4 years old and has received most of her training locally.  She has studied various forms of dance such as cechectti, ballet, jazz, tap and modern.  In 2006, she toured throughout the US and Canada with Sidewalk Productions and Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in a production called Peace Child.  She has danced with the Balletmore dance ensemble and with Dance in the Annex (DITA).  She also enjoys dancing and choreographing for her church, Tabernacle Community Church.  Sarah has taught dance for three years and is excited to be able to combine her passion- dancing, with her faith as she teaches at HIS. 

Annie Brewer – Miss Annie is the newest hip hop teacher.  She began her dancing career at Hearts In Step when she was 12.  She was immediately hooked and has trained in many different styles.  Annie’s specialties are hip hop and step, which she has taught before in Grand Rapids.  Annie was able to travel to India recently, helping in an orphanage and Bible school, and was fascinated by the dancing and enthusiasm of the kids there.  Annie also excels in baking and is a pastry chef at Beacon Hill.  She feels very privileged to be involved in her two favorite talents.

hearts in step

h.i.s. christian dance academy

616.245.9501