All of our teachers are skilled in their craft, committed to excellence, love their students, and fully embrace the In His Steps Mission! Please read their bios below!

“Gabrielle Tsantles grew up in Bucks County Pennsylvania and now lives with her family in Youngsville, NC. Gabrielle met her husband in 2018 at their church. They have been married since March 2022 and now have a family.

Gabrielle is the owner and head teacher of In His Steps Performing Arts. Gabrielle grew up in the performing arts. From the age of 3, Gabrielle trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, modern, and Pointe. She has competed in many dance competitions and performed in the Nutcracker. She has also acted in several productions including Peter Pan, Robin Hood, and The Wizard of Oz as well as choir performances. At the age of 15, she became a member of a Christian dance ministry and fell in love with using her talents for the Glory of God!

Gabrielle began assisting dance classes at the age of 16 and found herself wanting to continue teaching on her own. In 2018, at the age of 18, she began teaching in-home worship dance classes from her living room. By 2020, dance classes had grown too big to continue at home. IHSPA performed their first Showcase in September 2020 at The Victorian: Youngsville with 15 students! Gabrielle has loved watching the Lord work through and grow this Christian dance ministry that now has over 99 students!”

“Gina Mauer grew up in Bucks County, PA. She began dancing at a young age and trained in ballet/pointe, jazz, tap, lyrical, modern, and hip hop at various studios including North Carolina Academy of the Arts and Pennsylvania School of Performing Arts.

In 2012, Gina opened a dance studio in PA and taught children and adults ballet and lyrical. She also joined a Christian dance company where she was able to continue performing & growing in her skill in a God glorifying environment.

Gina has been working behind the scenes at In His Steps since it began and has been amazed over the years watching the Lord use this community in mighty ways. She is excited to join this year as a teacher and to have the opportunity to encourage dancers to work with excellence and to use this form of art for the glory of God.

Gina lives in Youngsville, NC with her husband and four children. She is a homeschooling mama & enjoys writing for fun as well as writing homeschooling curriculum for her small business. In her spare time she enjoys reading and hanging out with her family.”

“Melissa and her family moved from St. Louis, Missouri to Raleigh in 2018 looking for a new place to live and praying that God would provide. The Lord did not disappoint as Melissa, her husband, Sean, and their three daughters continue to live in the Raleigh area and love it!

Melissa started dance in 2nd grade. She danced with a studio and in competitions practicing ballet, tap, jazz, modern, pointe, and even hip hop. Jazz has always been her favorite though! Melissa has thoroughly enjoyed getting back to dance after many years off bringing up her kids and teaching for six years.

Melissa also enjoys spending lots of time with family and friends. She really enjoys reading, walking, baking, and gardening!”

“Jennifer Bailey grew up in Northern KY. She began dancing at the age of three and continued until the age of 18. She relocated to North Carolina after graduating from Liberty University, and started a family. After having their daughter, she knew it was time to get into dance again. It was not easy to find a studio that allowed young girls to grow in their skills slowly while also being purposeful to glorify God with music, costumes, and movement. IHSPA was the perfect fit. After assisting backstage for a couple of years, she joined the team as a teacher. 

Jennifer lives in Franklinton, NC with her husband and three children. She is a teacher, baker, and homeschooling momma. She enjoys reading, camping, and being with her family.”

“Abby grew up outside of Columbus, Ohio before moving to Wake Forest during her high school years. It was there, in high school, where she was blessed to meet her now husband, the super-handsome, hilarious, and all around Superman Michael (not a sponsored advertisement). After Abby graduated from the University of South Florida, they got married in 2023 and started their family.

Abby started dancing in 7th grade, training in all the styles of dance her studio offered including ballet, modern, jazz, lyrical/contemporary, musical theater, hiphop, and more! She trained, performed, and competed at local, regional, and national levels until graduating high school. She is incredibly grateful and excited that the Lord has brought her to IHSPA to dance again!

Outside of dance she loves her job as a veterinary assistant, enjoys reading, and has fun experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.”