Susan Collier Agnew
Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Acrobatics, Pointe, Pre-Pointe
Owner & Director
Mrs. Susan is from Mobile, Alabama where she trained with Sheffield’s School of Dance for 17 years. She was a member of The Sheffield’s Dancers for 8 years, where she started in the Junior Company, advanced to the Senior Company and continued performing high school through college. Susan attended the University of South Alabama and was a member of the USA Dance Team from 1986–1988. While attending USA, Susan was involved with many community events and choreographed numerous group productions. As a member of Entertainer Dinner Theatre Company (1980–1989), Susan choreographed and performed in Annie, Fiddler on the Roof, Funny Girl, The King and I and others. Transferring to the University of Alabama for 1988–1990, Susan taught for the Dance Centre, under the direction of Martha Jamison and later, Rebecca Tingle. As the largest and most accomplished dance school in Tuscaloosa, the Dance Centre offered Susan invaluable dance, education and teaching experience. She also studied Dramatic Education at the University of Alabama and feels very strongly about the proper growth of children and how children learn. Dance is a wonderful learning tool for all children (girls and boys); it helps build strong self-esteem and can carry through the rest of their lives as a love for the arts.
Julie Carrier
Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, Acrobatics, Hip-Hop, PiYo
Mrs. Julie began her dance career when she was three in St. Louis, Missouri. Her love of the art continued throughout her life, culminating in her decision to pursue a B.F.A. in Dance from the University of Wyoming. Julie has danced in many venues across the country, including Chicago and New York, and with many legendary dancers and dance companies including Peter Pucci, Jay Franke, the Martha Graham Dancers and the American Repertory Dance Company. In addition to her professional dance career, Julie has choreographed The Unsinkable Molly Brown and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, among others. She was voted best choreographer by students and faculty alike in her senior year at the University of Wyoming, as well as best dancer. Additionally, Julie was cheerleader/dance squad member all through junior high, high school and college. Julie won the honor of being chosen from more than 500 students in her region to represent the United States on the Superstar Performance Team, traveling to Ireland for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade which was broadcast internationally. This is Miss Julie’s eighth year at The P.A.C.E. Studio and is eager to continue teaching her students. Her goal is to bring her joy of dance and variety of knowledge into their lives so they may experience a well-rounded fine arts education.
Christy Ross
Ballet, Modern, Lyrical, Pointe, Pre-Pointe
Mrs. Christy has extensive professional ballet and modern performing experience over the past 15 years and has taught most of that time. She is originally from Oak Harbor, Washington but her professional career was centered in the Midwest. She has trained with internationally renowned teachers and choreographers from Pacific Northwest Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Les Ballet Jazz de Montreal, Alvin Ailey, Martha Graham, Alwin Nikolais companies, among many others. She has danced with Grand Rapids Ballet, Aerial Dance Theatre, Detroit Dance Collective, Contemporary Motions and the University of Iowa’s professional touring company. She holds a B.A. in Dance from Hope College in Holland, Michigan and an M.F.A. in Dance Performance from the University of Iowa. Her choreography was showcased at the Mid-States Regional Ballet Festival and the American College Dance Festival (Midwest Region) and she was given Hope College’s Florence Cavanaugh Award for Outstanding Dance Student. Her passion for teaching comes from cultivating the individual potential in each student while helping them understand the rich tradition and history of dance that has come before them. This will be Mrs. Christy's fifth season with The P.A.C.E. Studio.
Please click on images for information on classes taught by instructor.
Natalie Childs
Office Manager
Mrs. Natalie came to The P.A.C.E. Studio in 2008 as our new office manager. She brings with her over 15 years of experience. Mrs. Natalie not only looks forward to running a well-organized office, but also to developing strong personal relationships with the dancers and their parents. Her experience since joining our team has been very fulfilling as she has gotten to see the progress of so many talented children, including her own children, Trey and Emelia.
Jennifer Howells
Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, Acrobatics, Hip Hop, Yoga
Miss Jennifer grew up in Wausau, Wisconsin. She began taking dance classes at the age of 3 at Debbie Wirt’s Dance Studio, taking primarily jazz, tap and acrobatics classes. She started competing in dance competitions at the age of 12 and continued to enter competitions until age 14 when she left the studio world of dance and joined her high school’s dance team. As a senior in high school she was nominated All American Dancer through the National Cheer/Dance Association. In 1999 Jennifer moved to Pensacola, and began teaching for The P.A.C.E. Studio. She has taught a multitude of classes, including hip-hop, jazz, tap, ballet and lyrical. She has also attended and competed in several competitions and conventions as a teacher and member of the studio’s Senior Company. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2001 and in Criminal/Juvenile Justice in 2004 through the University of West Florida. She is currently enrolled in the Clinical Mental Health Licensure program through Troy University.
Jessica Sarli
Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Pointe, Pre-Pointe
Miss Jessica is originally from Stafford, Virginia where she began her dance training at an early age. She is a 2009 magna cum laude honors graduate from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA where she received her B.F.A. in Dance with a concentration in ballet. In her college career, Jessica trained under Kiesha Lalama-White, Jay Kirk and Susan Stowe, as well as performed faculty works by Ron Tassone and Nicolas Petrov. Jessica has danced in numerous venues around Northern Virginia, Washington D.C., Pittsburgh and West Virginia. In 2009, she had the opportunity to perform in a fundraiser gala with Cirque Du Soleil in Washington D.C. Jessica recently completed a six-month contract based out of Sydney, Australia with Princess Cruise Lines. This is Miss Jessica's second season.
850.437.9248 ● 4634 Lori Lane ● Pace, Florida 32571 ● PaceStudio@live.com
Ardis Covert
Office Manager
Mrs. Ardis joined The P.A.C.E. Studio in August 2010 as an Office Assistant after 7 years as a dance parent. She graduated from the University of West Florida in 1995 with a B.A. in Communication Arts with an emphasis in Advertising. She has over 15 years of experience in all forms of office operations. Ardis has had a lifelong passion for the arts, especially dance, and is thrilled to have the opportunity to experience each dancer's growth as he/she progresses.
