Meet Jason!
Instructor
Nickname: Blake
Hometown: Nashville
What brought me to Nashville: Born and Raised
My history with dance: I’m self taught, and I’ve been dancing since I was 9 years old.
What drew me to line dancing: It’s a hobby that meshed perfectly with my ADHD.
How I found Stompin’ Grounds: I was working security at George Jones for a Stompin Grounds event, and they recruited me after they saw me dancing.
My favorite thing about our classes: I love that we have customers from literally all over the world.
My favorite thing about working with Stompin Grounds: Getting to entertain our guests, and making them laugh with my stupid jokes.
Fun Fact: I was a Marine before Stompin’ Grounds
My Faves:
Local spot to eat: Hattie B’s
Place to eat on Broadway: Assembly Food Hall
Tourist Attraction/Activity: Local Whiskey Tastings
Hidden gem: Corsair Distillery and Taproom
Line dance: T.G.I.F. to Greenlight by Pitbull
Thing to do in Nashville: I’m a homebody, but when I go out I enjoy dancing at the Palace
Classic country song: 10 Rounds with Jose Cuervo
Current country song: Miles On It by Kane
Dance to Teach: Boot Scootin’ Boogie
Meet Mallory!
Instructor
Nickname: MalPal
Hometown: Austin, Texas
What brought me to Nashville: I moved here with my family when my parents jobs relocated
My history with dance: Line dancing was a social activity and a hobby for me for many years before finding a professional aspect through Stompin’ Grounds, and I’ve been line dancing now for 3+ years.
What drew me to line dancing: The local dance community, and building friendships through that community.
How I found Stompin’ Grounds: I took a class with my family as a bonding activity, and quickly realized I wanted to be part of the Stompin Grounds family!
My favorite thing about our classes: Our intimacy with our guests. I love getting to meet people from all over and mingle with customers. I love that I get to be a part of their Nashville experience!
My favorite thing about working with Stompin Grounds: Getting to share my love of dance with others!
Fun Fact: I was a ranch hand before I started working for Stompin’ Grounds.
My Faves:
Local spot to eat: Martin’s BBQ
Place to eat on Broadway: Raisin’ Canes
Tourist Attraction/Activity: Donut Tour
Hidden gem: The Patterson House
Line dance: Cyber Remix
Thing to do in Nashville: Dancing at the Palace
Classic country song: How Do You Like Me Now? By Toby Keith
Current country song: Love Somebody by Morgan Wallen
Dance to Teach: Miles On It
Follow me on Instagram and Tiktok! @MalloryStrock
Meet Em!
Instructor
Nickname: lil bit, Eminem
Hometown: Bardstown, KY
What brought me to Nashville:
College at Middle Tennessee State University where I studied Audio production. I wanted to be a musician in Nashville!
My history with Dance:
I’ve been dancing since I was 5, and have a diverse background in ballet, jazz, hip-hop and Pom. I’ve been line dancing for 4+ years!
What drew me to line dancing:
The community! I love connecting with other dancers all around the world at conventions, competitions, etc.
How I found Stompin’ Grounds:
My bestie Jason, another Stompin Grounds dancer, brought me in!
My favorite thing about Stompin’ Grounds Classes:
My favorite thing about our classes is our guests – I love meeting people from all over the world! Dancing brings everyone together – from all ages and walks of life. I think how personal our classes are is what makes them special; and it’s a comfortable setting for those who don’t normally dance.
My favorite thing about working for Stompin’ Grounds:
I love my coworkers, and I love that teaching gives me confidence. Dancing is a fun form of fitness and I love getting to do it all week long.
Fun fact about me: I have 60 pairs of cowboy boots in my collection.
My Faves:
Local Spot to Eat: Bottle Cap
Place to Eat on Broadway: The Stillery
Tourist Attraction: Country Music Hall of Fame
Hidden Gem: The thrift shops in east Nashville
Line Dance: Cyber Remix or PYT
Thing to do in Nashville: line dancing at Nashville Palace
Classic Country Song: Sophronie by Jimmy Martin
Current Country Song: Jesse by Charles Wesley Godwin
Dance to Teach: Hicktown
Follow me on Instagram and TikTok! @emmdowns
Meet Lisa!
Instructor
Meet Lisa!
Nickname: Little Lisa
Hometown: Orange County, CA
What brought me to Nashville: I visited Nashville on a trip – and immediately fell in love! I came back quickly for a return visit and just knew I was supposed to live here. And now I do!
My history with Dance: I have loved music since I could remember. When I was growing up my family always had music on, and we would dance together. I experimented in hip hop when I was growing up, and then when I found my first line dancing bar about 5 years ago I fell in love – and have been line dancing ever since!
What drew me to line dancing: The community! I love that people from all different walks of the earth can come together and share their love of music and dance. It’s been the most welcoming experience.
How I found Stompin’ Grounds: I found Stompin’ Grounds 5 years ago when I went to a line dancing night that they were hosting at the George Jones. Then I started working for them about 2 years ago!
My favorite thing about Stompin’ Grounds Classes: I LOVE that the #1 rule is to have fun! Our classes are all about having the best Nashville experience, and I love seeing everyone learning to line dance while having a blast!
My favorite thing about working for Stompin’ Grounds: I love that I get to be a part of everyone’s Nashville experience and create lifelong memories. Teaching for Stompin’ Grounds feels like family and it’s what drew me to them! We all get to share what we love to do together.
Fun fact about me: When I’m not line dancing, I act part time in the music video industry!
My Faves:
Local Spot to Eat: Blanco
Place to Eat on Broadway: Raising Canes
Tourist Attraction: Live music! There is no end to amazing music in this city!
Hidden Gem: Song Writer’s rounds
Line Dance: Fuego
Thing to do in Nashville: listen to live music and dance!
Classic Country Song: I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack
Current Country Song: The Painter by Cody Johnson
Follow me on Instagram and TikTok! @lisamariepezzarello
Meet Lauren!
Instructor
Nickname: Lolo
Hometown: North Port, FL
What brought me to Nashville: I moved to Nashville to be a line dancing instructor!
My history with Dance: I’ve been line dancing for about 4 years, along with taking technical classes every week.
What drew me to line dancing: It allowed me to turn off my thoughts and lose myself in a dance. I love feeling the music and being able to add my own flair to the dances.
How I found Stompin’ Grounds: A friend sent me their post when they were looking for dancers and encouraged me to audition, and I did! I joined their team late spring of 2024 and haven’t looked back since!
My favorite thing about Stompin’ Grounds Classes: Getting to meet people from all over the world and share my love of and the fun of dance with them.
My favorite thing about working for Stompin’ Grounds: Our team has the best, most goofy and fun coworkers that make every day a blast. I also love when we get to perform at special events off Broadway!
Fun fact about me: I spent 7 months backpacking through Europe and Australia.
My Faves:
Local Spot to Eat: 12 South
Place to Eat on Broadway: Hot dog stands – don’t knock it til you try it!
Tourist Attraction: CMA Fest
Hidden Gem: Honkytonk Tuesday at East Side Bowl
Line Dance: Dance Her Home
Dance to Teach: Boot Scootin’ Boogie
Thing to do in Nashville: Watch my boyfriend Tanner Burch (@tannerthehillhippie) play music on Broadway!
Classic Country Song: Drink, Swear, Steal & Lie by Micheal Peterson
Current Country Song: Give a Cowboy a Kiss by Cody Johnson
Follow me on Instagram @laurenmichiiee and TikTok @laurenmichelle_dance
Meet Joshua!
Dancer
Nickname: Josh, JP, J
Hometown: South Holland, IL
What brought me to Nashville: Attended and graduated from Lipscomb University with a B.S. in Civil Engineering, then bought a house with one of my friends in the area.
My history with Dance: I started line dancing my sophomore year of college at what was the Wildhorse Saloon (now Category 10) Downtown Nashville, and at Cahoots in Lebanon.
What drew me to line dancing: I love the structure and freedom each dance offers. Once you have the steps, you can add whatever personal flair or style you want.
How I found Stompin’ Grounds: My best friend invited me to join a flash mob on Broadway during CMA fest, and afterwards Dustin asked if I wanted a job!
My favorite thing about Stompin’ Grounds Classes: Seeing the variety of people from across the world come learn line dancing (Notable Mentions: Australia and Egypt)
My favorite thing about working for Stompin’ Grounds: My coworkers are some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met and I love them all <3
Fun fact about me: I did cheer for two years in college and can do a backflip.
My Faves:
Local Spot to Eat: Sushi O Sushi
Place to Eat on Broadway: Taco bell Cantina
Tourist Attraction: Category 10
Hidden Gem: The Well Coffeehouse
Line Dance: Out Like That to Going Out Like That –
Bummerman Remix by Reba McEntire
Dance to teach: Miles On It
Thing to do in Nashville: Line dancing (obviously) and Disc golfing
Classic Country Song: How Do You Like Me Now?! by Toby Keith
Current Country Song: Beautiful As You by Thomas Rhett
Follow me on Instagram and TikTok!
IG: jpurnell_25
TT: sportsjp6771
Meet Lacey!
Marketing Assistant and Dancer
Nickname: Lacey
Hometown: Puyallup Washington
What brought me to Nashville: my boyfriend (:
My history with Dance: I started country line dancing when I was 10 years old at a local saloon in Roy, Washington with my sister and her girlfriends. I started dancing as a career when I hit 21, dancing at Big Whiskey saloon in Olympia Washington. When I was 25 I joined a professional line dance team, West Coast Country Heat, based out of Snohomish, Washington and we performed all over the state in different parades and events. I was a line dancing instructor at Big Whiskey saloon for about five years before moving to Tennessee.
What drew me to line dancing: My sister and her girlfriends introduced me to line dancing. They’re about five years older than I am and they probably didn’t know what line dancing was going to end up meaning for me when they showed me. But at 10 years old I fell in love with line dancing!
How I found Stompin’ Grounds: I saw a Facebook ad after two years of living in Nashville and decided to give it a shot. I was looking for a way to get back into line dancing and instructing after moving halfway across the country, so this was a blessing.
My favorite thing about Stompin’ Grounds Classes: We really focus on just making sure that everybody is having a good time, and showing that anybody can line dance. It’s not just for young people or for experienced dancers. If you came to Nashville to learn to dance and have fun – that’s what we are about!
My favorite thing about working for Stompin’ Grounds: The people
Fun fact about me: I hold a world title in country line dancing and we are going back in 2026 to defend that world title and get another buckle.
My Faves:
Local Spot to Eat: sun diner
Place to Eat on Broadway: Miranda Lamberts Casa Rosa
Tourist Attraction: Grand Ole Opry
Hidden Gem: Arrington Vineyards
Line Dance: I don’t have a specific favorite. I love line dancing
Dance to teach: Anything intermediate or advanced
Thing to do in Nashville: Shopping
Classic Country Song: Leave The Pieces
Current Country Song: Heart On Fire In Mexico
Follow me on Instagram and TikTok!
IG: @LAY.C.JAE
TT: @renagadelinedancing
Meet Drew!
Instructor and Dancer
Nickname: Scooby Drew, Drewbacca, or Justin Herbert’s #1 Fan
Hometown: Burlington, KY
What brought me to Nashville: I attended Lipscomb University in Nashville for my undergraduate and graduate degree.
My history with Dance: My first experience with dance was in college. Lipscomb does a thing called Singarama and during my sophomore year I participated in that and loved not only getting to be active by dancing, but getting to meet so many people. Throughout the rest of college I participated yearly, even choreographing some dances and winning Coba Craig (the Singarama MVP award) my senior year.
What drew me to line dancing: While doing Singarama I was invited to go line dancing by some friends I had met. I went and immediately fell in love, not only with the dancing aspect but the community of line dancing being so open and welcoming of new people. This community is incredible and I’m grateful to be a part of it.
How I found Stompin’ Grounds: I had previously worked with Nicole, another instructor at Stompin Grounds, and she connected me with Dustin who needed someone to fill in one weekend. I was available and it was a perfect fit, and the rest is history!
My favorite thing about Stompin’ Grounds Classes: My favorite thing is getting to make memories for all the people in the classes. Seeing all the people smiling, laughing, and having fun because of something I get to be part of is always so heartwarming.
My favorite thing about working for Stompin’ Grounds: My favorite thing about working for Stompin’ Grounds is the people that I work with. I cannot say enough nice things about everyone that is involved with Stompin’ Grounds and they feel like a local family while being away from mine.
Fun fact about me: I’ve got a few, but my go to is that I’ve been on HGTV.
My Faves:
Local Spot to Eat: Jack Brown’s Burgers in Edgehill
Place to Eat on Broadway: Taco Bell Cantina (2nd ave but close enough)
Tourist Attraction: Opryland Hotel (specifically at Christmas time)
Hidden Gem: San Antonio Taco Co.
Line Dance: Infinity to Fiddle by Bomshel
Dance to teach: Miles On It
Thing to do in Nashville:Any of the live events: Nashville Predators, Nashville SC, or Nashville Sounds games, concerts, TPAC shows. Any of those.
Classic Country Song: Neon Moon – Brooks & Dunn
Current Country Song: A Life Where We Work Out – Flatland Cavalry & Kaitlin Butts
Follow me on Instagram and TikTok!
IG: @TheDrewDragan
TT: @TicTacDragan
Meet Mila!
Instructor and Dancer
Nickname: Mila is my nickname! My full name is El’Milagro
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
What brought me to Nashville: A contracting job, but my lease was ending in Carolina so I decided to take a chance on a new life in Tennessee!
My history with Dance: Started when I was on a contracting job in Fort Myers FL back in 2021. I walked into a dive bar where they were line dancing. I was blown away because I’d never seen anything like it before. From that moment I was in love!
What drew me to line dancing: Fate.
How I found Stompin’ Grounds: Through a local dance group chat. Someone posted about a one-off performance opportunity with Stompin’ Grounds, and after I joined them for that, I was offered a regular employment opportunity!
My favorite thing about Stompin’ Grounds Classes: Being able to share with our guests the same joy that I felt when I first found line dancing.
My favorite thing about working for Stompin’ Grounds: How unique it is. There are plenty of places to line dance in TN, but none have compared to the movement Stompin’ Grounds is making in TN and nationally!
Fun fact about me: I’m a lifelong vegan (never eaten meat).
My Faves:
Local Spot to Eat: Nacho Daddy
Place to Eat on Broadway: Assembly Food Hall (so many options!)
Tourist Attraction: Nearest Green Distillery
Hidden Gem: Snoopers Rock, Chattanooga TN
Line Dance: Country Girl Twerk
Dance to teach: Flip A Quarter
Thing to do in Nashville: Farmers Markets
Classic Country Song: “Clockwork” – By Easton Corbin
Current Country Song: “Twang” – Kng Ego / JOYBVND
Follow me on Instagram and TikTok!
IG: milatodance
TT: countrywideusa
Meet Brooke!
Dancer
Nickname: Brookie/Brooklyn
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
What brought me to Nashville: The Line Dancing community and Country Music scene drew my attention to Nashville just a few years ago – despite living 30 minutes away my whole life.
My history with Dance: I have been dancing since I was 3 or 4 years old. I trained in many styles of dance such as ballet, jazz, tap, hiphop, pointe, contemporary, and modern. I am also a graduate of MTSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in dance with a concentration in performance and choreography! As for country dance, I have been line dancing for almost 3 years and country swing dancing for 2 years!
What drew me to line dancing: I love learning choreography and I was interested to learn the technique and terminology that comes with line dancing.
How I found Stompin’ Grounds: I learned about Stompin’ Grounds through mutual friends and had seen it on social media. I did my first event with Stompin’ Grounds in January of 2025 and knew immediately that I wanted to join the team!
My favorite thing about Stompin’ Grounds Classes: Seeing people having fun with their friends/family while learning a line dance for the first time.
My favorite thing about working for Stompin’ Grounds: My favorite thing is everyone is so supportive of each other like a family!
Fun fact about me: I have a twin brother!
My Faves:
Local Spot to Eat: Zaxby’s
Place to Eat on Broadway: Raising Canes’
Tourist Attraction: Fifth and Broadway
Hidden Gem: Blue Moon Waterfront Grille
Line Dance: “Fire Burning”
Dance to teach: “Miles On It”
Thing to do in Nashville: Go line dancing with my friends at the Nashville Palace!
Classic Country Song: Should’ve Been a Cowboy – Toby Keith
Current Country Song: Watermelon Moonshine- Lainey Wilson
Follow me on Instagram and TikTok!
IG: dancin.with.brooke
TT: dancin.with.brooke
Meet Heather!
Dancer
Nickname: Everyone just calls me Heather!
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
What brought me to Nashville: My love for Country Music
My history with Dance: I’ve been line dancing since I was very little, and started country swing dancing about 2 years ago.
What drew me to line dancing: I loved the ability to express myself with flare through music and dance.
How I found Stompin’ Grounds: People I knew from a local dance hall worked at Stompin’ Grounds, and then I worked at an event for them, and tried out for a regular position immediately after!
My favorite thing about Stompin’ Grounds Classes: The people! Getting to meet so many different people from different backgrounds coming together to have fun.
My favorite thing about working for Stompin’ Grounds: It genuinely feels like a family, like a tight knit community and they truly care about everyone.
Fun fact about me: I ride a motorcycle and I love to horseback ride.
My Faves:
Local Spot to Eat: Midnight Oil or 51st Deli
Place to Eat on Broadway: Cafe Intermezzo
Tourist Attraction: The Grand Ole Opry
Hidden Gem: Barrel Proof (not so hidden anymore)
Line Dance: Fuego
Dance to teach: Save A Horse
Thing to do in Nashville: Anything outdoors with waterfalls or hiking!
Classic Country Song: Family Tradition by Hank Williams Jr.
Current Country Song: Anything Cody Johnson
Follow me on Instagram!
IG: @officialheatherhoward
