About Footloose
Footloose School of Dance commits to providing quality dance education to all students in a manner which will not only develop technical ability, but also have a positive affect on personal self-esteem. Regardless of their age or level of proficiency, everyone should be treated with equal care and consideration. It is our goal to provide the guidance needed to those students seeking a professional career in dance, as well as fulfilling the requirements of the recreational dancer.
It is a necessity of every FSD teacher employed at the studio to continually upgrade their own dance and teaching skills. Consequently, the dance skills and styles taught at Footloose will be frequently updated, and the methods of teaching will be fresh and original.
In addition to the care afforded the student in the actual class, it is necessary that the administrative staff be attentive and caring to both students and parents. It is the responsibility of the office personnel to be in sync with the needs of the studio in a supportive nature and to make the management aware of any concerns of its students.
Here at Footloose School of Dance, we have two passions; dance and the education of true dance techniques, and children. We are sure we have found the perfect combination and we very much love what we do. It is not just our job — it is our passion.
INSTRUCTORS
Melissa
Melissa has danced for over 25 years and has taught professionally since 1997. She is a graduate of Teacher's Training School at University of Buffalo and a member of Dance Masters of America. She has received most of her training from New York, dance conventions and from many master choreographers and teachers all over the US. Melissa also enjoyed dancing with Paula Abdul's Dance Company. She continues to study all forms of dance from various renowned artists, frequently traveling to New York, New Jersey and Boston.
Melissa has extensive training in ballet, tap, jazz, modern/contemporary, hip-hop, lyrical, liturgical, pointe, acrobat, african and ballroom dancing. She has been choreographing for many years and has received multiple "Best Choreography Awards".
As an instructor, Melissa's goal is to promote growth and self-esteem in each dancer that passes through the doors of Footloose School of Dance.
Kristie
Kristie started dancing at the age of 4, beginning with tap and then adding jazz, ballet, lyrical, pointe, hip hop, modern, and African. She was a member of both the Footloose Dance Company and Performance Team, during which time she received several high score and judges' awards in regional competitions. Kristie worked as an Assistant Dance Instructor for five years while she was a student at Footloose. She attended the Student Honors Intensive Program for advanced dancers at the University at Buffalo each summer where she took master classes in all styles of dance. She graduated from Teacher Training School through Dance Master's of America at the University at Buffalo, and is certified to teach all genres of dance.
Kristie attended Springfield College where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance, and then later her Master of Education in Early Childhood Education. In addition to teaching here at Footloose, Kristie is employed as an elementary school teacher in Belchertown.
Kristie has been a dance educator at Footloose since 2008. She teaches many genres and age groups. She also teaches the KinderDanz program where she works with children from 2 1/2 through 4 years of age as an introduction to dance. Kristie is in charge of the Performance Team, which gives her the opportunity to share her past experience as a competitive dancer with her students. Kristie is excited to be able to combine her passion for dance and her love of working with children as a dance educator at Footloose School of Dance.
Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn has been an instructor and choreographer at Footloose School of Dance since September 2010, and she has been dancing since the age of 4. She is classically trained in styles of ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, hip hop, musical theatre, lyrical/contemporary, African and modern. She grew up dancing at Footloose, was on the Performance Team, and in the Dance Company. During this time, she received several high score and judges' awards in regional competitions. Kaitlyn also worked as an Assistant Dance Instructor for five years while she was a student at Footloose. She attended the Dance Masters of America Student Honors Intensive Program for advanced dancers at the University at Buffalo each summer where she took master classes in all styles of dance. Kaitlyn, along with other Footloose instructors, attended the Dance Masters of America Teacher Training School at the University of Buffalo.
Kaitlyn graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a minor in Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in May 2014. During her time as a Dance major, she took a variety of courses in areas such as dance theory, dance technique, writing about dance, dance production, dance composition, theatre, music, anatomy & physiology, dance history, and nutrition. She also served as stage manager for two major UMass Dance productions, performed several times every semester, and worked with established and well-known choreographers. She then attended Springfield College where she received her Masters in Education in Elementary Education.
Kaitlyn is a former member of Eclipse Dance Company, a nonprofit corporation which performs at local and regional venues across New England. In addition to teaching at Footloose, she is employed as a teacher in the Northampton Public Schools. Kaitlyn is so honored to have the opportunity to share her passion at Footloose, and inspire a love of dance in her students.
