As a born and raised Hoosier, Anna Grace began her dance training at the age of four in central Indiana. Her growth as an pre-professional artist was strengthened under the direction of JaneHachiya and Frank Weiner, So Yon Nam, Kelley Richards, Gregory Glade Hancock, and Oybek Tashpulatov. As a senior in high school she received an Apprenticeship from Stirling and Sabrina Matheson, Co-Artistic Directors of Ballet Theatre of Indiana. She also attended multiple summer programs with Richmond Ballet, Texas Ballet Theater, and BalletMet Columbus. After graduating from Northpoint High School, she continued her higher dance education as a Trainee with BalletMet for two seasons. During her traineeship she performed principal variations in the ballets Paquita and La Bayadère under the direction of Dmitri Suslov. Anna Grace also received opportunities dancing alongside BalletMet’s professional company in roles such as a Creature of the Night in David Nixon’s Dracula, a Shadow in Michael Pink’s Peter Pan, and The Queen in Edwaard Liang’s world premiere of Sleeping Beauty. Anna Grace is also honored to have received a top twelve award in Youth America Grand Prix and featured in local Columbus, OH photography projects, art blogs, and community outreaches. Additionally, she assisted with the launch of Kids Dance Outreach, a program close to Ms. Brown’s heart. Anna Grace is thrilled to be apart of Central Illinois Ballet’s second season!