Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Carter.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My path into this work hasn’t been linear. It was shaped by movement, reinvention, learning to trust myself and listening to what felt necessary at each stage of my life. I started dancing young and dance was always what made me felt most grounded, alive, and connected to my true self. But as I moved into adulthood, I noticed how many people, especially adults, get caught up in the demands and expectations of life and subsequently get disconnected from movement, creativity, and even from themselves.
Though I began my career as a performer, over time, I found myself drawn to teaching, facilitating, and creating spaces for others to connect or reconnect to movement. I became deeply invested in working with adult beginners and people who had been told, explicitly or implicitly, that dance wasn’t for them. Leading those spaces showed me how powerful movement can be when it’s rooted in accessibility, nervous-system awareness, and self-trust rather than perfection or performance.
Becoming a parent right as the pandemic began, and then going through a 200 hr yoga teacher training, caused me to slow down and reassess everything: how I was working, what I was building, and what kind of impact I wanted to have. I realized I wasn’t interested in recreating traditional structures that often lead to burnout or exclusion. I wanted to create spaces that felt sustainable, embodied, and genuinely supportive of people’s full lives.
That’s what led me to where I am now—working as a dance educator, artistic coordinator at dance 101, choreographer, and creativity coach. Everything I do today is about helping adults reconnect to their bodies, their creativity, and their sense of possibility. It’s been a process of trusting my own evolution, and building work that reflects that truth.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. A big part of my journey has been navigating uncertainty- financially, creatively, and emotionally- especially while building a career in the arts and maintaining consistency as a parent. There were periods where I was juggling multiple roles, trying to stay afloat, and questioning whether it was possible to do meaningful work that aligned with my values, without burning myself out.
Another challenge has been unlearning some of the traditional narratives around productivity, success, and worth, particularly in dance spaces that prioritize output and perfection over sustainability and care. Letting go of those expectations meant redefining success on my own terms, which can feel uncomfortable and lonely at times.
There’s also been the ongoing work of trusting my instincts by choosing slower growth, turning down opportunities that weren’t aligned, and building something that honors real human lives rather than hustle culture. None of that is easy, but those struggles shaped the way I teach and create today. They helped me build spaces that are more compassionate, accessible, and honest because they’re informed by lived experience.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At the core of my work, I’m a dance instructor, movement educator choreographer, and creativity coach who specializes in working with adults- especially adult beginners and people returning to movement after long periods of disconnection. I create and lead experiences that make dance feel accessible, grounding, and genuinely supportive, rather than intimidating or performance-driven.
I’m best known for my ability to meet people where they are and help them rebuild trust in their bodies and creativity. Whether I’m teaching in a studio, coaching one-on-one, or developing artistic programming, my approach blends technical clarity with nervous-system awareness, somatic principles, and a deep respect for each person’s lived experience. I’m particularly passionate about helping adults release shame around movement and their bodies and reconnect with joy, curiosity, and self-expression.
What I’m most proud of is the environment I’ve helped cultivate at dance 101, here in Atlanta. I lead classes, workshops, and performance opportunities where people feel safe enough to try, fail, be seen, and grow. Hearing students say they never thought dance could feel this supportive or that they finally feel “at home” in their bodies is incredibly meaningful to me. Those moments affirm that the work is doing what it’s meant to do.
What sets me apart is that I don’t treat dance and movement as separate from life. I understand the realities adults are navigating- parenthood, work, stress, healing- and I design experiences that honor the whole person. My work isn’t about pushing people harder; it’s about creating sustainable pathways back to creativity and embodiment. That integration of artistry, accessibility, and self-care is what guides everything I do.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I’ve learned that mentorship and networking don’t always look like formal relationships or transactional exchanges. What’s worked best for me has been staying curious, showing up consistently, and building genuine connections over time. Some of my most impactful mentors weren’t people I formally asked to mentor me, but individuals whose work I admired and learned from through proximity, collaboration, and observation.
I’ve also found it important to seek out people who are values-aligned, not just successful. Paying attention to how someone treats others, how they sustain their work, and whether their path actually reflects the life you want matters just as much as their accomplishments. When those relationships are rooted in respect and mutual care, guidance tends to unfold naturally.
In terms of networking, I try to lead with generosity- supporting others’ work, being present in community spaces, and offering my skills where it feels authentic. That approach has led to opportunities and relationships that feel reciprocal rather than performative. My biggest advice is to move slowly, trust your instincts, and let relationships develop organically. The most meaningful connections usually come from shared values and shared presence, not from forcing outcomes.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/move.with.grace__/
Image Credits
Lola Scott
Kyle Carter
Erin Harris
