DANCE

Feet First Dance was established in 1982 by Nancy Etter in an effort to bring the Phoenixville Community quality dance training, emphasizing a blend of the technical and creative.  Kristen Bissinger joined the staff in 1983 and Karen Clemente followed in 1985.  Karen and Kristen were Co-directors from 1990-2018.  In the fall of 2018, Kelsey Brennan-Patrick and Kate Shier became the new owners and worked together operating Feet First until 2024. During the first year of their partnership, they sold out the studio’s dance recital with an epic performance of Alice in Wonderland. From there they continued to add new and exciting things to Feet First including an outdoor traveling dance floor. In the summer of 2024, Kelsey Brennan-Patrick became the sole owner of Feet First and continues as the active director today.

Throughout the years, Feet First has provided classes in creative movement, modern, ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary and dance composition to students aged 3 through adult.  We recently added acro dance, and ballroom classes to our schedule. Each year the last semester culminates in a performance highlighting the students from each class.  Traditionally, the performance is a dance story with multicultural appeal.  In 2024 we brought the story of The Wizard of Oz to life through dance. The teachers went above and beyond using props, intricate costuming, and blew away audiences with their choreography and creativity.  Our performances have also included themes such as visual arts and poetry.

Feet First provides an age-appropriate dance education that recognizes the child, teen and adult as a whole human being, challenging and inspiring through technique, meaningful content and creative dance work. For the younger child Feet First provides a creative, self-esteem affirming approach to dance with a playful, dramatic use of stories and poems to inspire expression, teamwork, and individual development of emotional, social, mental and movement skills. Throughout the years we have opened our studio to all those who have a love of dance instilled in them. Children with special needs or any disabilities have always been welcomed. We are happy to work with these children, and their families to give them a safe, loving environment where they can explore the world of dance.