Grace Arts Live

Grace Ann Etcheberria grew up in a first generation Basque family in San Juan Capistrano, California and schooled in the Mission School. She and her sisters were immersed in the Spanish/Basque and Mexican cultures. They grew up with a great sense of family, traditions, and artistic culture. Louie Etcheberria, Grace Ann's Dad, was a farmer where she remembers fondly riding tractors with him in his fields and being a total tomboy. And it was from her Mom, Prudencia Arbonies Etcheberria, where she learned to dance at a very young age. Prudencia was a kindergarten teacher and taught traditional folk dances to Grace Ann, her sisters, cousins, and friends.

Her high school years were spent at San Luis Rey Academy, a private parochial girl's school at the Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside, California. She feels she was blessed to be there at the perfect time. One very special nun, Sister Brenda Montiel, had just begun a Creative Arts Program (CAP) and all Grace Ann's academics revolved around the arts. She spent four years there under Sister Montiel's direction as well as many other warm and talented teachers. She performed in several high school plays and was given the opportunity to choreograph some as well. It was a time of great learning, creative thinking, and fun. Grace Ann's mother passed away the summer between her freshman and sophomore year. It was a devastating time for her and her family and was so blessed to have the academy sisters and the arts to help get her through. This is where her respect for and cultivation of teaching began.

Ask Grace Ann what she loves about teaching and she'll tell you, "My students!" Grace Ann's students are a true joy to work with. From her pre dance program which begins at age 3 to her students up through 100, Grace Ann enjoys working and sharing her passion for dance and theatre with them.

With Grace Ann's influence, many of her students have gone on to pursue careers in the performing arts field. Others have gone on to become better at whatever they choose to be. No matter what path her students choose, Grace Ann is there as mother, friend, mentor, and coach, pushing them to achieve their best and building their confidence and sense of self worth.

Awards

Gloria E. McClellan, Mayor of the City of Vista, California, does hereby proclaim June 27, 2000 as: "GRACE ANN ETCHEBERRIA-JACOBS DAY IN THE CITY OF VISTA"

After 15 years of service to the youth of North San Diego County as Moonlight Amphitheatre's Youth Director, Grace Ann was presented with the city's proclamation by Mayor Gloria McClellan presented in front of many of her friends, colleagues, students and family. It was such an honor to her that so many would go through such effort to say thanks. She remembers many tears of joy mixed with sadness because leaving Vista was hard to do. She had taught dance and theatre to over a thousand students during her years in North San Diego County.

In 2008, Grace Ann Etcheberria-Jacobs was awarded the prestigious Athena Award. Presented to her on opening night of Steel Magnolia's at her own theatre, GraceArts LIVE, it was a moment she will treasure forever. The Athena Award is given to women who demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession; provide valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community; and actively assist women in realizing their full leadership potential.

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