![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/fayetteville\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/04\/Story-1-photo1-1-2-1024x683.jpg\")
Their passion is rooted in family \u2014 the kind you\u2019re born into and the kind that welcomes you without any strings attached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Howell\u2019s journey began under the guidance of her aunt, Melvie Myrick, BPA’s founder and current owner, and teacher, Jordan Allen. Dance is a family legacy for Groce. Her mother, Lana Groce, once owned BPA, where both women’s paths intertwined, and they formed a lasting friendship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their transition from students to dance teachers wasn’t without challenges as they graduated from high school. Both pursued degrees at the University of Tennessee Southern to enable them to continue to work at BPA. Their degrees add value to all they do at the dance school, helping them overcome the challenges of juggling full-time careers with teaching dance.\\Now, in real estate, Howell said, “Setting clear boundaries helps me manage both careers.” Today, Groce’s effort and commitment to completing her college degree continue to influence her BPA work. She said, \u201cI\u2019ve found myself putting forth my best effort in preparation for my dance classes so my students can learn and achieve their goals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, in real estate, Howell said, “Setting clear boundaries helps me manage both careers.” Today, Groce’s effort and commitment to completing her college degree continue to influence her BPA work. She said, \u201cI\u2019ve found myself putting forth my best effort in preparation for my dance classes so my students can learn and achieve their goals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Their teaching philosophy reflects the mentorship they received. Groce found comfort in her instructors\u2019 pre-performance direction, which she passes along to her students today \u2014 \u201cJust go out there and have fun. Enjoy your time on the stage.” This approach helps students manage pre-performance stress and find joy in dancing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Howell is as enthusiastic today as when she taught her first class. \u201cI still get excited on that first day of dance to see all the students and grow with them throughout the year.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n At BPA, Howell and Groce continue the legacy of nurturing young dancers’ potential, passing on the love of dance to the next generation. As Groce said, \u201cBeing a student at Backstage means you become a part of a family.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Welcome home! GN<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information, follow Backstage Performing Arts on Facebook, visit backstageperformingarts.com, or call (931) 433 4168. The studio is located at 507 College St. W. in Fayetteville.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" BEYOND THE front door of Backstage Performing Arts (BPA) are studios with mirrored walls, barres, balance beams, and music punctuated with instructors\u2019 directions. Little ones tippy-toe twirl while older dancers progress through more highly choreographed routines, their moves snapping into place as the group polishes their steps for upcoming performances. BPA has been nurturing young […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":23834,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23830","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/fayetteville\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/04\/Story-1-photo1-2-1-1024x683.jpg\")