From just another small-town girl with big dreams, to a globe-trotting professional performer, Gretchen McCutcheon has gotten to live (dance) beyond her wildest dreams. Despite a severe spinal surgery where doctors told her she may never walk again, much less perform, she refused to let anyone else decide her future. At just 15 years old, her professional dance career kicked off, and she has now been a working industry professional for 14 years and counting. Gretchen’s extensive training in ballet, jazz, pointe, musical theatre, contemporary, tap, hip hop, and ballroom has led her to stages all over the world. Her most recent credit includes being a part of the opening (and returning) cast for Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Wish. She originated the role as the tap soloist in Disney’s Victrophonics, was a stunt performer and feat. dancer in the workshop + opening of Disney’s Rockin’ Pirate Parlay Party, puppeteer/dancer/singer in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, feat. dancer in Set Sail on a Wish, and feat. dancer in Disney’s Aladdin. Additional credits to date include Star Wars Jedi Training: Experience
the Force (Lead actress), Disney’s Beauty & the Beast (Dancer/Puppeteer), Hunt Fer Jack Sparrow 2.0 (Opening cast, stunt swordfighter), Disney’s Believe (Contemporary soloist/Dancer), The Golden Mickeys (Dancer/Puppeteer), The Carolina Opry Christmas Spectacular, (feat. Dancer), Good Vibrations! (feat. Dancer/Contemporary soloist), Disney’s Villains Tonight! (Closing cast), Viking Ocean Cruises (Lead female dancer), MTV’s TRL (feat. Dancer), various music videos, live events, and gigs throughout NYC. When not traveling for performances, Gretchen spends her time between New York City and
Myrtle Beach, SC, training, assisting, and working closely with some of the industry's top choreographers. In addition to over a decade of professional performance experience, she is also a passionate dance educator, teacher, and adjudicator who continues to further her own education and certifications so as to best aid her students. She has been a certified Progressing Ballet Technique instructor for 3 years. She is also proud to be a dance adjudicator and guest teacher for several well-
known dance competitions/conventions. Gretchen hopes to pass on her knowledge, inspiration, and maybe even a little bit of magic to the next generation of up-and-coming dancers!