Brentwood native Jordan Grace has made a name for herself in Music City and beyond. The wife and mother of two—with a third on the way—grew up heavily involved in gymnastics before her talents naturally evolved into dance. Though she initially felt uncoordinated and unsure of her rhythm, it didn’t take long for her innate talent to shine through. By high school, she had fallen in love with hip-hop, and by her senior year, she realized dance could become more than a passion, but a profession. That realization quickly turned tangible when an agent discovered her at a local competition, leading her to sign for representation and make the move to Atlanta at nineteen to pursue her career.
Jordan called Atlanta home for several years as her career quickly gained momentum. In addition to meeting her now-husband, Luis, she performed alongside globally recognized artists like Justin Bieber, Pitbull, and Blake Shelton, stepping onto major stages and national tours. From live performances to large-scale commercial and entertainment productions, she became deeply immersed in the industry and even landed national campaigns for brands such as Disney and Coca-Cola. After a season marked by uncertainty and a search for purpose, she returned home to Nashville and began teaching at a local studio a few days a week—her first introduction to choreography instruction. What started as a transitional chapter quickly became a calling, and in January 2019, she took a decisive leap to found her own space: AREA 54.
“I wanted [the name] to be something that embodied multiple aspects of what I think of when I think of a dancer… ‘Area’ came from Area 51 because dancers are very alien-like and speak a completely different language… we can go from all these different counts and sounds and words while we're dancing at the same time,” she explains. “‘54’ came from Studio 54, the famous nightclub in New York City. I wanted the lights to be dark and for people to feel like they were in a club, like they were just letting loose and all inhibitions were gone.”
Located in Brentwood, AREA 54 offers hip-hop training both in person and online and is designed not only for aspiring professionals but for anyone eager to learn. With classes for ages seven and up, the studio provides introductory, beginner, intermediate, and advanced courses that focus on learning choreography, improving musicality, developing performance skills, and building community. Jordan recalls a special moment when she launched online classes and saw that people from all around the world were learning her choreography—a true sign that she was right where she was supposed to be.
“I think when you are in your late teens going to your early twenties, you're really just trying to survive and figure out what your path is,” Jordan explains. “I didn't really feel that purpose until I moved back home to Nashville and started [AREA 54].”
One of Jordan’s favorite parts of creating the studio has been watching the relationships that have formed within the community. From receiving invitations to people who first met in her classes’ weddings to witnessing new friendships blossom each week, it fulfills her to watch it all unfold—proof that stepping into the discomfort of chasing your dream is always worth it when something so meaningful begins to take shape.
In addition to her career in dance, Jordan has cultivated a strong presence on social media as a content creator, offering a glimpse into her life as a wife, mother, dancer, and entrepreneur. She credits Luis, her husband, as a constant force behind AREA 54—from filming her earliest videos during their engagement to serving as the studio’s Co-Founder and Videographer, the pair seamlessly blended their worlds into one. Jordan also shares that motherhood has completely shifted her perspective in all aspects of life.
“When I walk into a classroom, and it's full of dancers of all ages, I immediately envision them as a five-year-old… their innocent soul coming in here, wanting to learn,” she explains.
From people with no dance experience learning for the first time, to dancers who haven't danced since high school, to the ones who return home from college and say, ‘I really needed this in my life’… the support for this movement they are actively creating has been really impactful and motivating for Jordan.
“[We want to] continue doing what we're doing—providing that safe space for people,” Jordan explains. “I know sometimes the dance industry can be cutthroat, so our goal was to create something the opposite of that. It's been really wonderful to watch the support of people for the studio.”
For more information on AREA 54, visit their website or keep up with them on socials.
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"When I walk into a classroom, and it's full of dancers of all ages, I immediately envision them as a five-year-old… their innocent soul coming in here, wanting to learn,” she explains.