GMPA Instructors

GRACIE BUTLER
Celtic Company & Highland 
Gracie grew up in Huntington, VT and began her dance journey at the age of six. Her passion for dance has led her to train extensively in both Irish dance and Scottish Highland dance. Gracie's deep connection to GMPA as a former student makes her especially thrilled to return as an instructor.

Gracie attended the University of Vermont, where she earned a BA in English in 2022 and a Masters in Secondary Education in 2023. During her time at UVM, she was a dedicated member of the University’s Irish dance team, The Celtic Cats, for five years, serving as both treasurer and president. Gracie cherished the opportunities to perform and compete locally and regionally with the team, experiences that have shaped her approach to dance instruction.

Today, Gracie remains an active and passionate Highland dancer, competing across the United States and Canada under the guidance of her instructors, Erika Bopp and Heather Morris. She believes that one of the most rewarding aspects of Celtic Dance is the sense of community it fosters—a value she brings to her work with Celtic Company. Gracie is committed to creating an environment where dancers not only excel in performance, but also build lasting friendships. Collaborative choreography and fun are at the heart of her teaching philosophy.

In addition to her role at GMPA, Gracie is an Educator currently working as a 504 coordinator at Essex High School. She is also honored to represent her community as Miss Western Vermont this year, where she eagerly looks forward to sharing her love for dance on the Miss Vermont stage.

Gracie is deeply grateful for the opportunity to teach at GMPA and to continue nurturing the next generation of dancers.
JENNA COMPANION
​Hip Hop & Troupe 
Jenna has been dancing since she was 4 years old. She started off in ballet and tap shoes for a few years, but realized although she loved dancing and performing these weren’t her passion. At the age of 7 she took her first hip hop class at One Studio where she instantly fell in love with the style and turned in her ballet and tap shoes for her hip hop sneakers. Jenna has studied Hip Hop for many years and attended many hip hop dance conventions like Monsters of Hip Hop.  She was apart of a local Hip Hop competition team for 3 years and participated in local and out of state competitions during that time. Jenna loves sharing her passion to dance with others and is excited to watch the next generations find their passion for dance here at GMPA like she did!
NICOLE DIRMAIER
Ballet / Jazz / Hip Hop
​Nicole Dirmaier began her dance training with the Heather Morris School of Dance at the age of 5, competing in Scottish Highland dance across New England. She began her pre-professional ballet training at age 12 under the direction of Alyssa Pettingill with Elans Academy of Classical Ballet as a part of their studio company. Simultaneously, Nicole found a great love for performing through Vermont Youth Dancers and her high school theater program, where she became involved in choreography.

In 2023, Nicole helped co-found Between the Willows, a theater company based out of Burlington, Vermont, holding roles both onstage and offstage as a choreographer, performer, costume designer, and everything in between. Most recently, Nicole graduated from Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania, with a master's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, and was a lieutenant on the university dance team, teaching, choreographing, and training in Jazz, Hip-hop, Tap, and so much more.

​Professionally, Nicole danced as a soloist with Ballet Vermont from 2021 to 2023 under the direction of Chatch Pregger, performed as a company member with Slow Shapes Dance Company, was a member of the 2026 Highland dance team with the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, and has continued to perform as a freelance artist and teacher across the state of Vermont.
LEAH GARDINER
Studio Director
​Irish Soft Shoe & Hard Shoe / Tap / Celtic Company / Strength & Conditioning
Born and raised in Rhode Island, Leah began Irish dancing at the age of 7. Her love for dance began at the Damhsa Irish Dance Studio, where she spent her youth traveling the state to perform anywhere and everywhere. She discovered her passion for teaching while assisting her own dance teachers during her teenage years.

Leah continued her Irish dance journey with the UVM Celtic Cats, teaching new members, choreographing show pieces, and competing in Intercollegiate Dance Festivals.

Inspired by the traditional and cultural roots of Irish dancing, as well as the evolution of the art, Leah loves to draw further inspiration from her exploration of other styles like Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, and Highland.
​
​She brings her enthusiasm for dance and teaching to GMPA and loves to see the joy and pride of dancing shine through her students.
FIONA GARUFI
Ballet / Modern / Jazz  / Troupe Coordinator 
Fiona has been dancing for as long as she can remember! Throughout her childhood she was in as many dance classes as possible- ballet, hip hop, contemporary, modern, tap, jazz, and even some theatre. Fiona grew up dancing at GMPA and spent every afternoon at the studio after school.  As she’s gotten older she has developed a deep passion for teaching. Fiona began teaching at GMPA as a teenager and continues to love it more everyday with the inspiration she gets from her students. 

Fiona took her love of performing through adulthood and was a company member with Ballet Vermont for 7 years, 3 of which she danced as a soloist, where she had the opportunity to perform for audiences all over Vermont. Dancing in the Farm to Ballet Project has had a major impact on her and changed her life in many ways. 
​
Fiona loves having the opportunity to watch young dancer’s passion, enthusiasm, confidence, and talent grow through the art of movement! 
TAITE PLAGGE
Irish Softshoe & Hardshoe 
Taite was born and raised in Waterbury and now attends college at the University of Vermont. She started dancing at GMPA at the age of 4, taking Ballet and Tap but she transitioned into the Irish step program taught by Heather Moris at age 6 after watching her older sister dancing jigs at home. She began competing in Irish dance competitions at age 9 and with the help of her teachers, Heather and Dylan Broderick, throughout middle and high school she moved up the levels eventually becoming an open championship dancer. She was a part of Celtic Company and enjoyed dancing in countless shows throughout Vermont and the Northeast. Her hope is to share her passion for Irish dance with her students and help them become the best dancer they can be.
ELIZA WHITEHAIR
Dance Tots & Hip Hop
Eliza Whitehair has been dancing with GMPA since the fall of 2021, and has been working with dancers since the summer of 2023. She enjoys training in a variety of styles, her favorites including ballet, contemporary, and most recently tap. 

Eliza is excited to have the opportunity to teach classes this year and looks forward to helping students grow, build confidence, and shine on the dance floor! She also enjoys working in aftercare leading games, crafts, and activities.

Outside of the dance studio, Eliza enjoys playing the keyboard in a band, spending time with friends and family, traveling, and reading.