At IN HIS STEPS DANCE MINISTRY, our teachers are all strong in their faith and proficient in their craft. Our desire is to disciple and nurture each student.
Meet our 2022-2023 faculty and staff below!
FACULTY
AMANDA NEWCOMB - STUDIO OWNER & DIRECTOR
Amanda P. Newcomb began dancing at age 5. Her training took her to Chattanooga, Chicago, New York, and finally to Atlanta where she studied at the Ruth Mitchell Dance Studio. After two years there, she moved to Boone and completed her undergraduate degree at Appalachian State University, with a major in Commercial Art and a minor in Dance. In 1988 she moved to Asheville and taught at Asheville Academy of Ballet and Contemporary Dance and performed with Ann Dunn & Dancers and add dance. Ten years later Amanda attended the Teacher’s Forum at Ballet Magnificat’s Summer Program where God really got ahold of her and began paving the way for In His Steps!
ALISHA EAR - INSTRUCTOR
Alisha Ear grew up dancing in Asheville, went on to get her BFA in Dance from Ohio State and performed with several small companies in Boston. Amidst marrying her high school sweetheart, having 4 children, and touring the country as a military wife, she has taught ballet and modern dance for over a decade, taught worship movement camps and workshops independently and for churches, and has choreographed for both secular and faith-based groups. She feels honored to invest in the technique and hearts of dancers and to be able to use movement to create beauty and tell stories that soften our hearts to the goodness of God.
LISA KEITH - INSTRUCTOR
Lisa Keith began her dance training at Fletcher School of Dance at age 6 where she took ballet, jazz, and tap, eventually dancing with the Land of the Sky Civic Ballet and Fletcher Concert Jazz. Continuing to pursue a love of performance, she earned a degree in Theatre at the University of North Carolina Asheville and danced with a touring company throughout the southeast. While working in film and television in Los Angeles, she met her husband, Andy. They now have two sons, Elvin and Canon. Lisa loves the deep connection with God's divine presence that she feels while dancing and her heart's desire is to be an ambassador of that joy for other dancers and with everyone she comes in contact.
ALICIA KNIGHT - INSTRUCTOR
Alicia Knight began her training at Fletcher School of Dance in 1995. Three years later she joined In His Steps and has been studying and teaching here ever since. Her dance training includes Ballet, Pointe, Irish Step, Modern, Lyrical, Jazz, Tap, and Hip-Hop. Alicia was also in Jessica Grime’s original Irish Step class which began in 2000. In 2011, Alicia started Mission Competition! through In His Steps with the purpose of showing God’s love in the competitive world of dance. Her goal is to demonstrate God’s love to the audience through the art of dance and to help others gain the confidence through proper training to do the same. She is excited to begin her 18th year of teaching!
AMANDA NEWCOMB - INSTRUCTOR
Amanda E. Newcomb was introduced to dance at age 7 through the curriculum of an after-school program and later joined a local studio to further her dance education. After dancing competitively for 5 years at both the regional and national level, the Lord brought Amanda to In His Steps. Her transition into dance ministry instilled in Amanda valuable knowledge of God’s love and created in her a passion to relay this love to others through dance. A recent graduate of Appalachian State University, Amanda completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance Studies and Nonprofit Management. While an undergraduate student, she was involved in the Appalachian Dance Ensemble, the Pilates Teacher Training Program, and was an Excellence in Dance Scholarship recipient. Having recently married and moved back to Asheville, Amanda is excited to be returning to In His Steps as an instructor!
JULIE RUSHING - INSTRUCTOR
Julie Rushing is beginning her 17th year of dance, the last thirteen of which have been at In His Steps. During that time, she has served as a student assistant, danced with Mission Competition!, and choreographed for herself and other individuals. She is excited to teach again and to have the opportunity to share her passion with younger dancers. Although she has studied many styles of dance, her favorites are Lyrical and Contemporary because she loves to show emotion and tell a story through dance.
VICKI MCCURRY - VOLUNTEER STAFF
Vicki McCurry has been with In His Steps for many years, starting out as a parent and later volunteering her time and talents in helping with the Spring Productions and later assisting in the office. Not only can she manage paper work, but she can design lights and keep small dancers in line as they await their turn at Nursing Homes. Her cheerful attitude and infectious smile brighten up our dance studio office on a daily basis!