Alison Dutka Jones is a native of Wilmington, NC and has called GAFA Studios home for two decades. Alison is the current Director of GAFA Studios, also leads the performance companies of GAFA, and teaches most evenings in varying styles. Having trained at GAFA, formally known as Glory Academy of Dance Arts, for most of her formative years, she is very dedicated and attached to the mission of GAFA Studios. She left Wilmington in the fall of 2007 to pursue a B.A. in Dance from Belhaven University. Upon graduation she was offered employment at GAFA as pointe and ballet instructor. In 2011, Alison accepted an apprenticeship in London, UK with Springs Dance Company. The time spent at Springs was one which influenced her teaching methodologies as well as her choreographic processes. During this time, she was offered positions in the Kibbutz Dance Company apprentice program located in northern Israel, as well as Re:Birth Dance company in London, England. Alison has received training in technique and performance in North Carolina, Mississippi, Texas, New York, and the UK. She has toured internationally in England, Scotland, and Canada with Elevate Dance Company, and domestically with Intimation Dance Company and The Story Collective. Through her many years training and performing, her most favorite thing is creating thought provoking works of art that point upward towards our King and that share a message of hope, joy, and encouragement to our audience. She is so proud of all of her students, and could not ask for a better staff to lead alongside her. Truly the best job in the world with the best people in the world. Outside of the walls of GAFA, Alison enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with her husband, Patrick, her family, and little dog, Bennie.