Erin Umphrey started her dance career at the tender age of three, right here in Schuylkill County. She attended Kutztown University where she was president of Kutztown’s Dance Company. Erin has performed professionally with theme parks, industrials, regional theatre, national and international tours. She taught several competition teams and choreographed high school and college musicals and theme park shows. Although being on stage is Erin’s first love she has been teaching dance for the past 19 years. She has found a passion for teaching and fulfillment in passing on her knowledge. As a teacher, she hopes to inspire her students to become not only talented, dedicated, well-trained performers but more importantly respectful and kindhearted students.

Andrew D. Umphrey has been performing since he was 5 years old, and throughout junior high and high school participated in plays, toured with Missoula’s Children’s Theater, and sang as a member of Minnesota All-State Men’s Choir. Andrew studied acting and voice in college and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre and a BA in Communication with a performance emphasis. Following his undergraduate study, he earned his MFA in Acting. Andrew has been teaching acting at all levels for 14 years, as well as private acting and voice. On his resume, you will find an extensive list of roles, awards, and acting credits including musicals, plays, Shakespeare, regional theater, new works, film, industrials, music video, national and international tours, voiceover, and a television pilot. As a theater and voice instructor, he hopes to inspire a true passion for performance art in those he has the pleasure of teaching, and bringing forth the full potential that one has the capacity of achieving.

Kristina Grant began her ballet training in 1979 at the Ballet Society of San Diego, eventually joining BSSD’s performing company. There she danced principal roles in the Nutcracker, Swan Lake, the Firebird, Serenade, Giselle, Les Sylphides, and Sleeping Beauty. Kristina spent the late 1980’s and early 1990’s choreographing and coaching for competitive figure skaters as well as high school and middle school show choirs while still continuing her professional dance career.

In 2004 she joined the faculty at the Harrisburg Dance Conservatory as a ballet instructor and as a guest artist for The Harrisburg Dance Ensemble. In 2006 she was appointed HDC’s Associate Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer.

As a previous member of the Professional Skaters of America in the discipline of choreography and style, Ms. Grant was the dance coach (2006-09) for the national champion (2006) synchronized skating team “Team Reflections”.

In 2008 Ms. Grant co-founded the Harrisburg Ballet Theater and was its Artistic Director until 2015. After retiring from performing on stage as a freelance principal guest artist with many ballet companies throughout the region in 2010, Ms. Grant continues to direct, guest teach and choreograph for multiple ballet companies, conservatories, and cultural events.

Ms. Grant’s students have gone on to study at renowned institutions like American Ballet Theater’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, Miami City Ballet School, and the Ballet School of the Opéra National de Paris, the Kirov Academy in Washington, DC, The Sarasota Ballet School, Pennsylvania Ballet School, Alonso King LINES Ballet, BalletMet trainee program and School of American Ballet. Some have also gone on to dance in companies such as Universal Ballet, and Mariinsky Theater Primorsky Stage.

Ms. Grant is currently the Director of Ballet and the Director of the Pre-Professional Day Program at Artists in Motion Performing Arts and a ballet instructor for the professional division of Pennsylvania Regional Ballet.

Miss Dalynn was introduced to dance at the age of 3 at Marie Shaw School of Dance in Reading, PA. She continued dancing there until age 18. At 14 she began student teaching and continued teaching and substituting for several years. She studied tap, jazz, musical theater, ballet, pointe, lyrical, acro, and partnering. As a student, she participated in: NYCDA competitions and conventions, community performances, annual musical reviews, masterclasses with Gil Stroman and Mia Micheals.

As an adult dance continued to be a theme of her life in many different ways. She danced with the Steam Team dance team for the semi-professional Reading Express Football Team. She had the wonderful opportunity to share dance with children from the Reading School District, offering free dance classes through an after-school program. Movement is vital for health and wellness and she used her dance experience as a fitness instructor including spin and Zumba for many years. She was also a cheerleading coach for Schuylkill Haven Area School District Midget Football Team.

Dalynn is the Director of the AIM Performance Company and has helped to grow the program to include mentoring, expanded team offerings, and more performance opportunities. Her award-winning choreography has been recognized at regional and national competitions in several divisions.

Dalynn offers another facet to the AIM community as a practicing Pediatric Dietitian. She has a Master’s Degree in Nutritional Sciences from Pennsylvania State University. As a member of the AIM faculty, she focuses on goal building and accountability, positive self-image, and nutrition for dancers.

Dance has always been a part of her life bringing wonderful experiences and friendships into her life. She is happy to have built a dance family here at AIM.

Brianna has been dancing since the age of 2.  She has trained in jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, lyrical and contemporary. You may have seen her in the stand-out roles of Sugar Plum Fairy and Soldier Doll in AIM’s 2021 Nutcracker. Brianna’s acclaimed choreography has been award-winning at regional and national dance competitions.  She is currently the assistant director of the AIM Performance Company, an instructor in our Pre-Professional Day Program, and a full-time dance instructor at AIM.  Brainna’s has a love for teaching. “Raising-up” the next generation of dancers and performers has become a passion for her. Brianna’s choreography can also be found in local musical productions. AIM is thrilled to have her on our faculty. @briannaaryan

Miss. Abby originally started her exploration of gymnastics at the age of seven at Mary Beth’s Gymnastics and Cheerleading in her hometown of Minersville, where the seed for her love of challenge, learning, and creative movement was planted. She started teaching there around 2009.

She graduated from Immaculata University in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences education as well as minors in Product Development and Studio Art.

She started at AIM in 2014 when the studio was first opened and continues to teach around Acro classes for all ages.  Transitioning from gymnastics to the world of Acrobatics was an exciting venture and she was up for the challenge especially having the honor to teach with Erin Umphery.

Miss. Abby feels so blessed that teaching is one of the many passions life has given her, ironically it has taught her so much about her life outlook and continues to teach her daily about herself. Teaching to her is a form of freedom, an outlet for expression, that will forever evolve into a masterpiece.

Kristin joined our staff in 2021 filling the need for a liaison between Erin and Andrew’s vision for studio growth and expanded opportunities for AIM students, and the implementation of these goals.  As an avid personal fitness enthusiast, she is a certified stretching instructor and holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu. You may occasionally see her in the studio classrooms working with our students. When she’s not behind her computer working for AIM she is a Private practice RN, IBCLC, Lactation Consultant, and mother to two children.

Liz has been in the AIM family since day one! Her daughter Brianna Ryan was an original student and continues with AIM today as an instructor. Liz enjoys her time at the AIM front desk getting to know our students and their families! When she’s not at AIM Liz is a travel agent guiding travelers through planning dream trips!

Katie has been an AIM parent for many years, transitioning to our front desk team two years ago. She works for the Schuylkill Haven School District in special education.

Amiee is a proud dance mom at AIM! Her daughter is in her 5th year with us and participates in our musicals, Nutcracker and Performance Company. When she’s not at AIM or her son’s soccer games, Aimee works as a Sales Force Administrator for Evans Delivery.