Our Dedicated Team
Gracey Tune, Founder and Artistic Director
An internationally acclaimed tap artist, Gracey brings her legendary talent and lifelong passion for dance to A5A.
Gracey is one of a select few internationally recognized women known for her extraordinary talent in tap dance. Her impact on the arts community spans many roles, including:
Director
Choreographer
Event planner
Teacher
Producer
Her work has been showcased and celebrated by many organizations, including:
Jubilee Theatre
Hip Pocket Theatre
Imagination Celebration
American Red Cross
Multiple Sclerosis Society
Main Street Fort Worth
Texas Wesleyan University
University of North Texas
Brown University
Fort Worth Sister Cities International
Gracey’s awards and honors include:
Outstanding Woman in the Arts Award from the City of Fort Worth
Induction into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame by Gov. Ann Richards
Texas Tap Legends Award (inaugural recipient) from The Dance Council of North Texas
Lifetime Achievement Award from the Live Theatre League of Tarrant County (2015)
She’s been a frequent guest artist at major tap festivals worldwide and has an impressive Broadway resume, including:
Choreography for Steppin’ Out and My One and Only
Performances and productions alongside legends such as Cholly Atkins, Savion Glover, Sarah Petronio, Ron Young, and her brother, the internationally acclaimed Tommy Tune
Gracey continues to teach, perform, and share her passion for tap dance here at Arts Fifth Avenue.
Deb Wood, Managing Director
Blending business savvy with a lifelong love of the arts, Deb keeps A5A running smoothly behind the scenes.
Deb joined Arts Fifth Avenue in 2022, bringing tons of experience from her 30+ years in corporate management. She spent 24 years with Aetna, earning awards like Best in the Business, Excellence in Teamwork, and even being named a finalist for their National Customer Service Award.
At Aetna, she managed a team of over 35 employees and served as President of the Aetna Employees Club, where she planned events and activities for more than 1,500 employees—building community and boosting morale.
After taking early retirement following 9/11, Deb decided to channel her business and organizational skills into something she’s always loved—the arts. She’s also an accomplished performer herself, with a background in acting, singing, and dancing, and has been praised for her choreography in Dallas theaters in the ’80s and ’90s. Her love for the arts and her business know-how make her a perfect fit for A5A.
Lynda Lidyard, Office Manager
A lifelong creative and former teacher, Lynda brings her passion for art and community to everything she does at A5A.
Lynda became part of the Arts Fifth Avenue family in 2022 and has been sharing her passion for the arts ever since. She’s been creative since she was a kid and enjoys working with pastels and acrylics.
Before coming to A5A, Lynda worked as a teacher and coach for children. Later, she took a break from teaching to homeschool her own kids—making sure art was a big part of their learning, from music and dance to visual arts.
She also brings marketing and promotion skills to the table and loves helping A5A connect with people from all walks of life, sharing the joy and beauty of the arts with the community.
