Email Miss Amy

Amy Jo Pernie - Owner / Instructor Amy is the Founder and Director of "Miss Amy's School of Dance", a contemporary Christian based studio, established in 1996 and "In HIS Steps Christian Dance Studio and Performing Arts Center", established in 2002. Amy began dancing at the age of 3 in Brooklyn Michigan and continued her training in Grayling Michigan with the "Louise Tournaud School of Dance". Upon graduation she studied abroad at "Trixie Hardee" of Ontario Canada and attended Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie Michigan. She has been able to train and study under many of the "well known's" of dance and has competed, performed and trained throughout the United States and Canada. Amy has been blessed with numerous opportunities in her dance career and for all of those she is grateful to her Heavenly Father. Her love for the Lord is most evident in her desire to use dance as a means of glorifying the Lord and she has a fervent desire to reach the community with the gospel of Jesus Christ. As Amy walks through this short journey here on earth she realizes daily more about our responsibility to reach the nations. Amy's passion is to share her Savior with the people of India and has had the opportunity to do so by teaching dance to thousands of children all over India.

Email Lalla

Lalla Pierce - Tap Instructor A Pensacola Native, Lalla danced at local studios in Pensacola from the time she was 3 years old until her graduation from Tate High School in 1987. Tap has always been her passion and Vivian Jennings, (now with "The Dancing Grannies") was a huge inspiration to her. In recent years, Lalla has been thrilled to share her love of tap through teaching and has participated in several workshops and conferences, including "Tap City" in New York City. Lalla has been teaching at "In His Steps" since January 2003, is honored to work with students and will proudly say, "oh yes, I'll dance to God's glory!" 2 Samuel 6:21

Email Brittani

Brittani Meriwether - Hip-Hop / Jazz Instructor Started her dance training when she was 3 years old until 10 years of age at Bernice's Dance Studio. She transferred to Miss Amy's Dance Studio in 1999, where she soon started assisting in the ballet, and tap combo classes on Saturday mornings. She carried on to assisting hip hop with her mom, and then acquired her "teacher status" of teaching hip hop during her Junior year of high school. However, her experience doesn't stop at recitals; she has taken part in arts festivals, fair performances, and community outreach programs. She has also had the opportunity through her high school, West Florida Tech, to choreograph, perform, and win 1st place in talent shows from 2004-2007. Workshop training includes Dance Ad Deum 2004, Star Systems tour 2007, and Show Stoppers 2007. Brittani started a competition team, Dynamic Dance Force, 2007, where all her routines made it and placed Top 1st in Nationals. Brittani also takes part in choreography for Marcus Point Baptist Church's kids praise productions bi-annually. Other training includes dance team with Pensacola Teen Board 2004-2006, and now she is the choreographer for the annual Back-to-School fashion shows. Her passion for choreography and kids shines through as she is always there to talk to her students on a personal level. She continues to gain a well rounded experience of dance training so she can be the best teacher she can be. "Taking what I learned and have seen throughout the community, I would like to bring high energy, fun, and unique aspects of hip hop to my students."

Email Christina

Christina Goff - Instructor Christina started dancing at the age of 2, where she began her training in Jacksonville, FL at Miss Painter's School of Ballet. She continued dancing there until she moved to Pensacola at the age of 8. After taking only one year off, Christina then started dancing at Miss Amy's School of Dance in 1998, and has been with the studio ever since. She has attended the Dance Revolution workshop in Orlando, FL twice, and also helps choreograph dances for her church's youth groups to perform during Sunday morning worship services. Christina is SO thankful to work with such talented and spiritual people, and loves any opportunity to share with others how the Lord has shaped and guided her in her life and through dance, molding her to become the young women she is today.

Email Liz

Liz Strehle - Modern / Jazz / Lyrical / Hip - Hop Instructor Liz started dancing at the age of four. She danced with the Pensacola School of Ballet for 7 years also with the Emerald Coast Ballet dance company. Liz has been dancing at In HIS Steps since 2001. She has been teaching at In HIS Steps for one year but has been choreographing and assisting from a very young age. She also has attended Dance Revolution and plans to continue dancing for Jesus for many years to come. She is also very blessed to work in such a motivational environment.

Email Tina

Tina Strehle - Ballet / Lyrical / Pointe / Jazz Instructor Tina's training began at the age of 6 with Bethany Lynhart at Flint Ballet Theater in Michigan. She has studied several forms of Ballet to include Ceccheti, English, and Russian and has received training in Modern, Tap, and Jazz. She spent 4 years instructing with Anthea Nader at Pensacola School of Ballet and Emerald Coast Ballet. We are honored to have Tina on our staff. She brings with her a kind and gentle spirit towards the students, crossed with a desire for excellence.

Email Stephanie

Stephanie Wojcik - Ballet / Tap / Tumbling / Jazz / Hip - Hop Instructor Stephanie began her formal dance training at the age of 6 under the guidance of "Miss Amy" when "Miss Amy's School of Dance" opened in 1997. A few years later she became an apprentice and moved to In HIS Steps when it opened. She has taught classes and choreographed for PS 149 and the Marcus Pointe Baptist Church's kid praise productions for several years. Additional training includes Dance Revolution in Orlando, Dance Ad Deum in Texas, Christian Dance Fellowship USA East Coast in Georgia, PJC Summer Intensive and PJC Dance Educators.

Email Katie

Katie Levan - Ballet / Tap / Tumbling / Jazz / Hip - Hop Instructor Katie has been dancing since she was two years of age. She started her training at Maureen's School of Dance continued at Bright Lights Studio of Dance with Janelle Rardon. She also trained at Denise Shores' Studio of Dance in Maryland. She has a passion for dance and does it all for "Him". She continued her training in Florida at Northwest Florida Ballet with Dorothy Lister. She found In His Steps in January of 2002. She is continuing her training through workshops such as Ad Deum Dance Company in Texas in 2004. She is very exited to be a part of the In His Steps family.

Email Susan

Susan Lewis - Worship Susan's bio would best be described in her own words: "I shall not boast in any gifts, no power, no wisdom, but I shall boast in Jesus Christ. His death and His resurrection - joined the army of the Lord 11-98". Susan's training includes 22 years R.A.D. and 5 years involvement in Worship dance.

Email Pam

Pam Cebula - Dance Instructor Pamela Cebula has been teaching dance at N.B. Cook Elementary School of the arts for 15 years, with certification in teaching student's age 3 to 12 and holding a masters degree in education. Pam has choreographed many local theater productions for Pensacola Little Theater and St. Mary's Productions. Pam has taught a variety of dance style for "In HIS Steps", and loves using her teaching talents to serve the Lord and bringing others to know Jesus Christ.

Email Tim

Tim "The Gunny" Pernie - Martial Arts Instructor Tim (Gunny) was involved in Judo and wrestling as a child. He has received training in hand to hand combat also referred to as L.I.N.E. training, while in the Marine Corps and was trained as an instructor of this technique in 1993. Gunny has received further training in the Marine Corps's newly introduced mixed Martial Arts program and is a 1st Degree Black Belt instructor. "The Gunny" has been a Marine for 20 years. Available for small group self defense classes such as Youth Groups or Womens Bible Studies.

Email Kristina

Kristina Leamons - Piano Instructor Kristina began taking piano lessons at age 8. Inspired by her teacher, Cameron Barnes, she began writing songs. She is a graduate of Pensacola Junior College with an associate of arts degree in music/vocal performance. She is an active member of Hillcrest Baptist Church where she is a keyboardist in the praise orchestra. Having a heart for children and missions, she dreams of using her love for music to share the gospel here and around the world. Kristina has been teaching voice and piano with In His Steps for two years. With Psalms 150 as her favorite, she encourages her students to "not be silent, but to praise God by using [their] instruments to glorify Him."

Email Charity

Charity Joiner - Musical Director Charity has been performing in musicals since the age of 8. She has coordinated the drama for her church's "Kidz Praize" musicals for the past 3 years. She is active in the Pensacola Little Theatre where she has performed in such shows as Oklahoma in 2006, "Bye-Bye Birdie" in 2007 and most recently in the award-winning "Seussical" as Mrs. Mayor of Whoville. Charity is a member of her church's weekly praise team and sings regularly as a soloist.

Email Julie

Julie Prasek - Tap, Modern, Jazz, Stretch & Tone Instructor Julie started dancing at the age of 5 at Green Acres School of Dance in Fairhope, AL. There she fell in love with this wonderful art form and pursued dance under the direction of Susan and Michael Williams at the Dance Centre in Pensacola, FL. She studied with some amazing teachers including Mia Michaels from the hit television show “So You Think You Can Dance” and Frank Hatchett from Broadway Dance Center in New York City. She received scholarships in dance to the University of Arizona and many opportunities to dance for Disney but she knew God had something different planned for her. Now with a wonderful husband and 2 children she knows her real calling is teaching this joyous art form that God has created. Teaching at In HIS Steps is just one way to show the Lord how thankful she is for this great talent He has given her.

Email Julius

Julius Benson - Hip-Hop and Pop-N-Lock I am a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School. During my 4 years at B.T. Washington, I was a member of the Marching Wildcat Band. As a member of the band, I servedas a head choreographer. I am also the founding member of the famed Pensacola Poppers (1980). As a member of the P'Cola Poppers, I have performed in numerous concerts as well as performed on various television programs. I have performed with such artists as New Edition, Zapp, Atlantic Star, Freddy Fender, Keith Sweat, and The Isley Brothers just to name a few. The P'Cola Poppers were also a featured act with the "Swatch Watch Tour", which featured several big name rap artists from around the world. After graduating from high school I attended Southern University (Baton Rouge, LA), where I was a member of the marching band known around the world as "The Human Jukebox". While attending Southern, I was the band's dance choreographer and member of the band's featured dance team called the "Super Six". While this dance team was mainly for juniors and seniors, I was asked to be a member as a freshman. Some of the routines performed by the "Super Six" were featured on various commercials, Monday Night Football, opening of the World's Fair (New Orleans, LA), the President's inauguration parade (Washington, DC), and Epcot (Disney World, FL). After finding the Lord and my purpose for my gift to dance, I've also performed at Grace Fest as the featured opening act for several artists including Dottie Peoples, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, and Israel and New Breed with my dance ministry called "Extreme Praise". I am currently a member of the Pensacola Community Arts & Recreation Association (PCARA) which is an organization dedicated to teaching today's youth the importance of keeping God first, staying in school, staying drug free, and resisting gang involvement. As a part of PCARA, I've also been featured in numerous gospel stage plays that can be viewed and purchased at pcaraonline.com. I am a member of New Dimansions Christian Center where I serve as a deacon, member of the praise team, youth advisor, and choreographer for the dance ministry. Today, I still teach, perform, and choreograph in honor my Lord for various churches, schools, youth groups, and other dance ministries.

Email Heather

Heather Lynn York - Theater Director Heather has been involved in theatre productions for nearly thirty years and has been directing for the last fifteen. She holds valid teaching certifications in three states and has worked as an educator and director as well as an artistic and technical designer. Throughout her career she has taught theatre to students ranging in age from five to sixty-seven. She has led numerous successful theatre programs, worked in community theatre and built up programs in her church so that quality theatre could be brought back to mainstream entertainment. She is excited to be a part of In His Steps and looks forward to seeing what God has in store for His program.