Grace Hamilton-Mayfield a 1982 graduate of University of Louisiana at Lafayette.  She has advanced studies at Alvin Ailey School, Dance Education Teacher Certification at Western Kentucky University, and advanced studies at Texas Women’s University. In 1981 she Founded Hamilton Academy of the Arts (HAA) located in North Lafayette.  In 1988 she expanded to Opelousas her hometown and founded the Hamilton Academy Performance Company (HAPC). In 2001 she developed a dance curriculum in accordance with long term objectives of existing lesson plans and organizational goals.

Grace served as an Artist in the classroom for 15 years with the St. Landry Parish School Board working with Special Needs children. She has served as the President of the Louisiana Alliance for Dance for the State of Louisiana and served on Dance grants review panels locally, statewide, and nationally. Grace has been appointed to many boards of directors. She was appointed Dance liaison for the City of Lafayette by the Mayor, and he declared June 9th Hamilton Academy of the Arts Day to honor her many years of service in the community. Hamilton Academy Performance Company has toured and traveled the US for the past 30 years performing at festivals, conferences, and other events. HAPC has opened for Ailey II in honor of Black History Month.

Grace has written, directed, and produced over 30 major productions

Implementing performing arts education as a tool for the purpose of integrating multi-sensory and interdisciplinary learning experiences compatible with a dance education curriculum for children. Each year she organizes a program showcasing students newly acquired talents in the performing arts. Her students have performed HAA Concerts on world class stages such as The Heymann Center for the Performing Arts, Acadiana Center for the Arts, ULL Angelle Hall, Cajundome, Booker T Washington School of Performing Arts-Dallas, Washington DC, Denver Co., Philadelphia, New York, Atlanta and many other cities across the nation. HAPC has been selected twice by Disney Entertainment to perform a 25 minute piece “A Taste of Louisiana Culture & Traditions” and are now honorary Disney Cast members.

Her business has received numerous local, state, and national awards. Grace has been the guest speaker at numerous conferences and events. As an advocate for dance, she has been an invited guest on all the local CBS, ABC and Fox affiliates. Her company has sponsored many events highlighting the importance of dance in the community.

Grace recently received the prestigious ULL College of the Arts Lifetime Achievement Award. She is the first female and the first female of color to receive this award. She serves on the Advisory Board for the College of the Arts and the ULL dance search committee. She is a member of the National Association of University Women, Women of Wisdom(WOW) Acadiana Chapter, National Dance Education Organization, Raising the Barre, The International Association for Blacks in Dance, and CLI Dance Studios.

42 years ago, as a senior in college God called her to this Divine Purpose and she continues to answer that call and set the foundation for artist in our communities. She has trained over 4,000 students in the arts through her dance studio, artist in the classroom, and her company has been seen by tens of thousands. She continues to serve as an advocate for Arts and Culture and Acadiana.

Website: https://hamiltonacademyofthearts.com/