Joyful Arts Movement
Joyful Arts Movement, 802 West Main Street, Collinsville, IL 62234
About
Joyful Arts Movement offers dance classes that include dance instruction and performances. The program also offers a student-teacher program and studio rental.
• Ages: 1–18 years old
Joyful Arts Movement describes itself as a vibrant and welcoming dance studio that fosters creativity, self-expression, and personal growth, with a mission centered on inclusivity, support, and artistic expression. The studio states that it aims to spread joy to children and adults, encouraging optimism, growth from challenges, and positivity, with a personal approach and attention to clear communication, grace, and teaching life lessons through dance and the arts.
Joyful Arts Movement has over 20 years of experience in the dance industry and was formerly known as Gracefully Yours Dance Academy (GYDA). Ms. Abby became the owner of GYDA at 19 and ran it for 17 years before passing it on to Ms. Nicole. The leadership team includes Ms. Nicole (Owner & Director); Ms. Abby (Dance Teacher & Founder); Ms. Carrie (Dance Teacher); Ms. Kara (Dance Teacher); Ms. Jayme (Dance Teacher); Ms. Haley Grace (Dance Teacher); Ms. Mary Jo (Hostess); Ms. Grace (Hostess/Dance Teacher); Ms. Beth (Dance Teacher Apprentice); and Ms. Maura (Dance Teacher Apprentice). Staff experience includes Ms. Nicole with over 32 years of dance experience, Ms. Abby with over 20 years of teaching dance, Ms. Grace as a cosmetology school graduate who specializes in nails, and Ms. Beth as a black belt in martial arts. Ms. Beth has been dancing at the studio since the age of three, Ms. Maura has been dancing for 14 years, and Haley Grace has 17 years of dance experience.
The studio offers classes for dancers of all ages and skill levels, including children, teens, and adults, and describes itself as a happy community for creative people. It emphasizes core values of Joy, Community, Family Friendly, Age Appropriate, Grace, Giving Back, Confidence, and Leadership. Joyful Arts Movement provides two major performances each year that are curated to be family-appropriate in costumes, choreography, and music, and it focuses on age-appropriate classes, costumes, and music for different life stages. The program includes a student-teacher program for students aged 9 and up to assist in classes each week and offers a free trial option for prospective students.
Joyful Arts Movement is involved in the local community through philanthropic programs, performances, and collaborations, including participation in local events, giving back to local organizations, and expressing gratitude to local community workers.
Parent testimonials describe the studio as a place where teachers show interest in students as individuals and where high standards are combined with appreciation for all skill levels. One parent notes that their daughter’s favorite day of the week is her class day at Joyful Arts Movement and that the staff model loving care for one another. Another parent reports that their child has attended for several years, that the teachers care about the kids and want to see them grow, and that costumes and music are always age appropriate, with visible growth in skills and confidence.
Last updated January 11, 2026.
• Ages: 1–18 years old
Joyful Arts Movement describes itself as a vibrant and welcoming dance studio that fosters creativity, self-expression, and personal growth, with a mission centered on inclusivity, support, and artistic expression. The studio states that it aims to spread joy to children and adults, encouraging optimism, growth from challenges, and positivity, with a personal approach and attention to clear communication, grace, and teaching life lessons through dance and the arts.
Joyful Arts Movement has over 20 years of experience in the dance industry and was formerly known as Gracefully Yours Dance Academy (GYDA). Ms. Abby became the owner of GYDA at 19 and ran it for 17 years before passing it on to Ms. Nicole. The leadership team includes Ms. Nicole (Owner & Director); Ms. Abby (Dance Teacher & Founder); Ms. Carrie (Dance Teacher); Ms. Kara (Dance Teacher); Ms. Jayme (Dance Teacher); Ms. Haley Grace (Dance Teacher); Ms. Mary Jo (Hostess); Ms. Grace (Hostess/Dance Teacher); Ms. Beth (Dance Teacher Apprentice); and Ms. Maura (Dance Teacher Apprentice). Staff experience includes Ms. Nicole with over 32 years of dance experience, Ms. Abby with over 20 years of teaching dance, Ms. Grace as a cosmetology school graduate who specializes in nails, and Ms. Beth as a black belt in martial arts. Ms. Beth has been dancing at the studio since the age of three, Ms. Maura has been dancing for 14 years, and Haley Grace has 17 years of dance experience.
The studio offers classes for dancers of all ages and skill levels, including children, teens, and adults, and describes itself as a happy community for creative people. It emphasizes core values of Joy, Community, Family Friendly, Age Appropriate, Grace, Giving Back, Confidence, and Leadership. Joyful Arts Movement provides two major performances each year that are curated to be family-appropriate in costumes, choreography, and music, and it focuses on age-appropriate classes, costumes, and music for different life stages. The program includes a student-teacher program for students aged 9 and up to assist in classes each week and offers a free trial option for prospective students.
Joyful Arts Movement is involved in the local community through philanthropic programs, performances, and collaborations, including participation in local events, giving back to local organizations, and expressing gratitude to local community workers.
Parent testimonials describe the studio as a place where teachers show interest in students as individuals and where high standards are combined with appreciation for all skill levels. One parent notes that their daughter’s favorite day of the week is her class day at Joyful Arts Movement and that the staff model loving care for one another. Another parent reports that their child has attended for several years, that the teachers care about the kids and want to see them grow, and that costumes and music are always age appropriate, with visible growth in skills and confidence.
Last updated January 11, 2026.
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