Kim Raymond is originally from Springfield, Missouri. She began her ballet training at the age of seven under the instruction of Debbie Claus Moore. Kim completed her advanced training under Julia Bubalo at Ozark Dance Academy. She also received training and performed with Springfield Ballet and Missouri State University. Upon high school graduation, Kim moved to Jackson, MS, to join Ballet Magnificat!’s Trainee Program in 2001. She was later promoted to Company Member with Ballet Magnificat! Omega. In August 2004, Kim married Jason Raymond, who served as the company’s Road Manager. The couple moved to Springfield in June of 2007 and founded Petra Ballet Company in January of 2008.
Kim’s teaching experience includes six years at Ballet Magnificat! School of the Arts, Ballet Magnificat! Summer Dance Intensives, and workshops at Credo Dance Academy, Ozark Dance Academy, Red Door Dance Company, and Springfield Ballet. Kim has guested as instructor and choreographer on tour in the United States and internationally, including master classes in Soust, Holland and at the Prague Conservatory of Dance. Kim is the Founder and Artistic Director of Petra Ballet Company, Petra School of the Arts, and Petra Junior Company.
Krista grew up in southern Missouri before moving to Springfield. She has spent the last eight years as a pediatric dental assistant. For the first five years, Krista served the underprivileged community of Springfield. She now works at a private pediatric office where she oversees the clinical operations and staff. Krista was saved at the age of 19. She has a passion for the lost and the broken to see the heart of God. Krista is excited to connect with families at Petra and continue to build relationships through the School of the Arts. You will find her working backstage during performances, behind the desk at the studio, answering phone calls and emails, and assisting families in our school. She enjoys the outdoors, reading, and spending time with loved ones.
Sara Beth Ford is from Broken Arrow, OK. She began her dance training at age 6, attending the Dance Pointe in Tulsa, OK. Once in high school, she began training under Laura Norman-Tyson at Oklahoma Performing Arts where she was able to continue improving and strengthening her classical ballet and modern dance technique. She attended summer workshops with Tulsa Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, and Kansas City Ballet. She also had the opportunity to compete in the Youth America Grand Prix ballet competition dancing variations from Swan Lake and La Bayadere.
After graduating high school in 2007, she attended Wichita State University and danced one year with WSU’s dance department where she had the unique opportunity to travel and perform in Taiwan. She then transferred to the University of Missouri-Kansas City where she graduated in 2011 and received her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Dance.
Upon graduating college, Sara moved to Springfield and began dancing with Petra Ballet Company for the 2011-2012 season starting as an apprentice. The following season she was promoted to company member, dancing and ministering through the arts with Petra until 2016. Sara married her husband Jordan in 2014. They welcomed their first child, Oliver, into the world in 2018 and their second child, Avery, in 2021. After resigning from her manager position at Twin Oaks Country Club in 2020, she has enjoyed being a stay at home mom to her two kids. She is excited for this new adventure teaching for Petra School of the Arts.
McKenna began her dance training at Petra Ballet Company at age 4. Her dance training includes ballet, pointe, Irish, contemporary, and jazz. She became one of Petra Ballet Junior Company’s first members in 2018. McKenna has danced lead roles such as Lucia in “You are Special”, Christian in “The Quest”, and both Lucy and the White Witch in “Christmas in Narnia”. McKenna has trained and passed four exams through the Cecchetti Council of America and has attended several dance intensives with Petra Ballet Company. She has served as an assistant for many Lower School classes and workshops at Petra. She has also enjoyed assisting in teaching dance at Creative Camps at church and volunteering for the last five years in the preschool program there. She is a current Company Dancer with the Junior Company and we are proud to have her as an Instructor in the Lower School.
Mady began her dance training at the age of 3 at Salt Lake City Performing Arts Center. She began taking classes at Petra Ballet Company in 2015. Since joining Petra, Mady’s dance training has included ballet technique, pointe, contemporary, and jazz. She has also participated in master classes and annual intensives. She has been part of Petra Ballet’s Junior Company since 2021. Outside of the studio, Mady has taught and assisted in both preschool and elementary classes at Hope Church for over 5 years. She has also had the opportunity to be a part of multiple Creative Camps, encouraging others in the gift of dance. Mady enjoys participating in Fine Arts, competing in worship dance and other categories. At the 2026 Fine Arts District Competition, her original choreography received first place. Prior to teaching at Petra, Mady assisted in Creative Movement and Lower School workshops. She is excited for this new season as an instructor in the Lower School.
Kaitlyn Underwood was born and raised in Springfield, Missouri. She began her dance training at the age of 13 and received her primary ballet instruction from Credo Dance Academy.
Bella began her dance training at Petra in 2014 at the age of six. Her dance training includes ballet, pointe, contemporary, and jazz. Throughout her years of dancing, she has participated in classes, summer intensives, Petra Ballet Junior Company, and has taken and passed two levels of Cecchetti exams. She also competed two years at the National Fine Arts Festival in more than five dance categories. Bella set two of her own pieces as her competitive solos. Aside from taking classes at Petra Ballet School of the Arts, she enjoys leading dance classes for her church’s kids program. Bella is excited to teach at Petra as a Lower School instructor.