About

Ground Level visionary Stacey Wales is proof that the world of dance is graced by someone who has the heart to help others embrace their own dance voice.

The daughter of a multi-generational horse racing family is a native from Yakima, Washington. Discovering dance at six years-old, Stacey explored ballet, tap, jazz and gymnastics and while in her teens, athletics. While at the University of Idaho—where Stacey also double-majored in Wildlife Biology and Veterinary Science—she was avidly involved in her alma mater's jazz program. After graduation, she returned to her hometown to succeed in the Continental Basketball Association's (CBA) Yakima Sun Kings Dancers, where Stacey blazed as a performer and front-office representative for three consecutive years.

Making her way out of Yakima and straight into Houston in October 2000, Stacey started over from her Pacific Northwest roots. She began work in the corporate sector, not discovering the Houston dance scene until more than a year later. This time, Stacey became a dance educator, performer and Director of Marketing for Dance Force Productions (formerly Houston Dance Force) from 2002 to 2004.

It was during her time with DFP that the Ground Level was born. Starting as a gut feeling that life is short and that she wanted to do more in dance, Stacey realized she felt compelled to help others succeed in the world of dance, where the energies of negative reinforcement and survival-of-fittest mentalities can often discourage a younger or older dancer's dreams in dance. Determined to provide all dancers from all levels with a "toolbox to learn about the industry." Stacey defines this "toolbox" through her own renowned website that keeps the dance community connected and informed on dance jobs, news, performances, auditions and announcements, with an additional edge—the Ground Level's mission to help others also attracts celebrated industry professionals who bring the latest choreography, dance trends, audition advice and tricks of the trade, all of which complete the Ground Level's offerings.

In the five years of the Ground Level's existence, Stacey has been able to bring the likes of the East and West Coast to Houston (and, more importantly, to small towns that may not always get the "big-city" dance vibe) through talents such as Marty Kudelka, Craig Hollamon, Dondraico Johnson, and Michael Vargas. Stacey also believes in giving local and regional talent the spotlight and frequently has these dancers teach at Ground Level workshops and work as part of the exciting Ground Crew. In addition, Stacey's recent involvements include providing dance scholarships to youth, serving on the Dance Houston 2005 planning committee, an interview with Eddie Garcia and, most recently, her collaboration with Dance4Houston to host an exclusive workshop with Marty Kudelka, artistic director and choreographer for Justin Timberlake.

With the conviction that "the Ground Level exists because of people who care," Stacey looks forward to a future in dance that includes more big-name professionals who share dance as a gift, more exciting dance projects that make an impact on the community, and more opportunities to help you embrace your own dance voice.

Master Classes

Workshops

Choreography

Consulting

Competitions

Conventions

Judging/Critique

Graphic Design

Web Design

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