At age ten, Grace Ann attended the Lynn Morris Dance Workshop School of Dance. There she studied ballet, pointe, and jazz under Lynn Morris who also got her involved in performing musicals with the South Coast Lyric Opera Association. At ages thirteen and fourteen, Grace Ann was a dancer in “Oklahoma”, Liat in “South Pacific, the understudy for Lisel in “The Sound of Music” starring Marni Nixion and a dancer in “The Marriage of Figero”.
Her high school years were spent at San Luis Rey Academy, a private parochial girl’s school at the Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside, California where she participated in the Creative Arts Program (CAP). All her academics revolved around the arts. She performed in several high school plays and was given the opportunity to choreograph some as well. Grace Ann also studied ballet with Helen Reynolds throughout high school and several years thereafter. Her dance and arts education continued at Mira Costa College under the direction of Larry Jorgeson where she performed in and choreographed several productions. She also performed at Palomar Junior College in “Cabaret” as Sally Bowles.
Grace Ann then went on to The United States International University – School of Visual and Performing Arts where she was personally taught and mentored by Jack Tygett. She also studied with Don and Bonnie Ward, Reina Boles, Three’s Company Patrick Nollet and Jean Issacs, Patricia Huffman and many, many more. She earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts and immediately went on to the schools’ department of education for one year of teacher prep training. She then started her Masters of Fine Arts Program and graduated in 1988.
Grace Ann also worked under the direction of Jack Tygett for Lawrence Welk Dinner Theatre and International Co. Theatre at Old Town.
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