Ginger Stathelson believes that dance is an enriching and fulfilling pursuit that benefits all ages, and that creative expression and education are a life-long process.

Ginger was born and raised on a farm in the small town of Pikeville, NC but has called Durham home for 25 years. Throughout her school years, she explored a variety of visual and performing arts, with instrumental and choral music, dance, cheerleading and studio art all giving her a well-rounded creative outlet. Her love of choral music gained her entrance to Governor’s School in her Junior Year of high school as well as a college scholarship. She attended Peace College and received her Bachelor of Environmental Design from the North Carolina State University School of Design. Once her daughter entered elementary school, Ginger was given the opportunity to apply her creative talents to teaching preschool with St. Luke’s Preschool, and has continued with the teachers of Grey Stone Preschool and Kindergarten for a teaching career of over 12 years. She is an active volunteer with Girl Scouts as an Outdoor Skills Training Facilitator, Camporee Workshop Leader and Day Camp Craft Coordinator. While watching her daughter’s dance lessons, Ginger rediscovered her love of tap dance, taking classes with adults and leveled student tappers alike. Ultimately, her love of dance, skill in creative thinking and joy of teaching came together when Encore Academy of Dance invited her to teach classes for children and adults. Her mission as a teacher is to foster creativity, curiosity, problem solving, and discipline, as well as a profound love for movement and dance that provides the foundation for a healthy, productive, and fulfilling life.