Page Overview:
    What Our Mission/Philosophy Is
    Who We Are
    Where We Dance
    How Much We Charge
    How To Register
    What Our Policies Are
    What We Wear to Class
    Studio Rules
What Our Policies Are
How to Register
How Much We Charge
Where We Dance
Who We Are
What Our Mission/Philosophy Is
Scroll down to view the topic of your choice.
Here at the Footsteps Family Dance Center, we provide high-quality dance training in a fun, conservative, caring
environment. Our staff is passionate about dance and compassionate toward people; we care deeply about our
students' development not only as
dancers, but as people as well. Positive reinforcement and personal goal-setting
characterize our teaching style. Through pre-dance, ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and lyrical dance, we offer our
students a magical haven where they can build healthy bodies, express their personalities, and cultivate
relationships among the studio family. People ages 3 to adult, men and women, boys and girls can find a home here
at Footsteps!

Our CREED is...


Train your body.
                    
Challenge your mind.
                                            
Uplift your spirit.
                                                              
Renew your soul.
                                                                                        
DANCE!

Our INSPIRATION is 1 Timothy 4:8…

"For physical training is of some value,

But godliness has value for all things,

Holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."
Jennifer Levitsky Curren
Director, Ballet, Tap, and Lyrical Instructor
Miss Jennifer began dancing at age 7, studying tap, ballet, pointe, jazz, and
pas de deux at Edye Cook’s School of Dance and Performing Arts in
Marion, Ohio. In 1986, she won the title of Junior Miss Dance of Ohio and
represented the state at Dance Masters Nationals in Syracuse, NY. A year
later she attended the Walnut Hill School for the Performing Arts in Boston,
MA, as a ballet major, supplementing that with jazz studies at the Jeanette
Neill School. In 1995, Miss Jennifer graduated magna cum laude from the
Ohio State University with a BFA in Dance Education, where she expanded
her knowledge of ballet, modern dance, tap, and choreography. Her
teaching career began as an apprentice at her home studio, where she was
eventually entrusted with classes of her own. Since then, she has taught at
the Delaware County Cultural Arts Center, the Martin Luther King Cultural
Arts Center, and at a Columbus-area studio for 11 years, where she served
as Ballet Department Head and Assistant Director. Students coached by
Miss Jennifer have won numerous awards at regional and national dance
competitions in various dance forms, as well as awards for choreography
and costumes she has designed; her dancers have gone on to dance in
New York, Las Vegas, and Chicago, on cruise ships, in tap, hip hop, and
ballet companies, and even as teachers and studio owners themselves!
When she is not dancing, Miss Jennifer enjoys gardening, singing in
church, and cuddling with her husband Vernon and 2 dogs, Gracie and
Skruffie.
Kim Hansen
Assistant Director, Jazz and Tap Instructor, and Resident Physical Therapist
Miss Kim danced for 11 years at L’Atelier de Danse Carole Brouard in Gatineau, PQ,
Canada, where she studied tap, jazz, and ballet. In 1986 she graduated from the
University D’Ottawa in Ontario, Canada, with a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy.
In 1992 she earned her master’s in physical therapy from the Washington University in
Washington, MO. Miss Kim has worked as a physical therapist and rehabilitation
director at several Columbus facilities for the last 12 years and continues to even
today. She taught tap, jazz, and ballet at her home studio in Canada, and served as
Jazz Department Head at a Columbus-area studio for 5 years. Her students have won
regional and national awards, and she is renowned for her energy and positive
reinforcement that makes her dancers believe they are capable of anything! When
she is not dancing, Miss Kim enjoys singing in her church choir, raising her two
talented daughters Taylor and Sammie, and spending time with her husband Bobby, a
contractor who built out our beautiful studio!
Tracy El-Masri
Mommy & Me, Genesis, Ballet, and Tap Instructor
Miss Tracy began teaching ballet, jazz, and tap in 1987 when she was a company member
and classmate of Miss Jennifer’s with Edye Cook’s School of Dance and Performing Arts. She
attended the Ohio State University and joined the dance department. While in college, Miss
Tracy performed with Thommie Walsh in Dance Between The Lines, a benefit for the historic
Marion Palace Theatre. After three years at Ohio State, Miss Tracy transferred to Wright
State University where she was a member of WSU Dance Ensemble. Throughout her college
career she taught modern and jazz for her professors before earning a BFA in Dance from
WSU in 1993. Post undergrad, Miss Tracy moved to Chicago where she danced under
scholarship with Chi-town Jazz Dance. After earning her grade I teacher certification from the
Cecchetti Council of America, she taught in Chicago area dance studios while
choreographing and performing professionally. Most notably, Miss Tracy choreographed for
Celine Dion’s 1995 American Tour. After 8 years in the Windy City, she returned to Ohio in
2001 with her husband Tarek and their two children, dancers Nuri and Amira. Before
becoming a member of the Footsteps staff, she taught all types of dance at her home studio
in Marion. When she is not dancing, Miss Tracy enjoys yoga and choreographing high school
musicals.
Claire Jester
Ballet and Lyrical Instructor
Miss Claire has graced the Footsteps staff since 2006.  She trained alongside Miss
Jennifer and Miss Tracy at Edye Cook’s School of Dance and Performing Arts in Marion,
Ohio.  She also studied during high school at the Interlochen Arts Camp in Interlochen,
Michigan, and at DanceAspen, a ballet intensive in Snowmass, CO.  She attended the
University of Cincinnati ’s College Conservatory of Music and graduated with honors with a
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet Performance.  While earning her degree, Miss Claire also
taught at the UC Preparatory  Ballet Program and performed with the Cincinnati Ballet, and
then moved to New York City, where she studied at the Alvin Ailey School.  While in New
York, she retired from the stage, and found another passion working in other forms of the
arts in interior design, and then in advertising.  She currently works for an advertising firm
in the Polaris area.  When Miss Claire is not teaching, she is a runner, an avid reader, and
a quilter, as well as a mom to her cat, Stanley. We love Miss Claire's dry sense of humor
and believe you will too!
Alyssa Shock
Genesis and Hip Hop Instructor
Miss Alyssa has danced since age 3, training in ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical at studios in
Defiance, OH, and Fort Wayne, IN. An experienced assistant teacher who is gaining even
more experience in the Footsteps Assistant Teacher training program and under the close,
watchful eye of Miss Tracy, Miss Alyssa is teaching a couple of our Genesis classes this year.
Her affection and easy communication with little ones are evident, as well as her confidence in
marshalling them in leading a class--by-products of helping her mom homeschool her 3
younger siblings. She is also teaching our kids' hip hop class, and the girls find her
enthusiasm contagious. Miss Alyssa is continuing her dance training as a performer with our
Senior Jazz/Lyrical, Hip Hop, and Tap Companies. We are proud to have this young woman of
knowledge, integrity, poise, and grace on the Footsteps staff!
Sharon Levitsky
Office Manager Extraordinaire
Miss Sharon has worked in medical offices for decades, taking time off in
the 1970’s to raise two children—one of which is Footsteps’ Director, Miss
Jennifer! Miss Sharon ran her husband’s medical office for 15 years and
has updated her computer education to lend her talents to running our
office here at Footsteps. When not at Footsteps, Miss Sharon enjoys Bible
study, gardening, watching sports, cuddling her puppy Phoebe, and visiting
her son and grandchildren in Cincinnati with her husband (Miss Jennifer’s
dad) Lance.
Karen Shock
Receptionist
Miss Karen keeps the office going on Tuesday and Wednesday
mornings, as well as Wednesday evenings, and is the mom of our 2
talented dancers Alyssa and Alayna. Her sincere demeanor,
sharpness, and genuine love for those God has brought across her
path enable her to take great care of our Footsteps families! When
not working or shuttling her girls back & forth to Footsteps, Miss
Karen homeschools her 4 children, assists her hubby Kevin with his
ministry on the OSU Campus, reads, twirls the baton, and serves at
church.
FooFoo the Footsteps Frog
Mascot
FooFoo has served as the Footsteps official mascot since 2005. Named in a contest
won by dancer Alex Herning, FooFoo's duties include modeling this year's Company
T-shirt, adding to the charm of the FFDC lobby, accompanying our dancers to
competitions, and proudly displaying the sparkly red lipstick and rhinestones that our
studio is known for on the competition circuit. She is the Queen of the many frogs that
grace Footsteps; Miss Jennifer has collected frog stuff since she was a little girl, so
naturally that silliness would get expressed in her studio through FooFoo and friends!
The Footsteps Family Dance Center resides at 8714 Cotter Street in Lewis Center, Ohio. We can be found in the
back of the brand new Green Meadows Commerce Center, ½ mile east of SR 23 on Polaris Parkway, behind Kohl’s
and WalMart. Our location is convenient to residents in Delaware, Sunbury, Powell, Polaris/North Pointe,
Worthington, Lewis Center, Westerville, and northern Dublin.

For exact directions, please either scroll down or refer to the
map link on our home page.....or you can call the
studio at
614-883-5599 and we'll do our best to get you here!
Footsteps Facade
From the north:
From SR 23 headed south, turn L onto Orange Rd at the light. Turn R onto Green Meadows Dr. Turn R onto Cotter
St. After a slight L, the studio will be on the R.

From the west:
From Powell Rd headed east, continue straight across SR 23 toward I-71, onto Polaris Pkwy. Turn L onto Green
Meadows Dr at the first light. Turn R onto Cotter St. After a slight L, the studio will be on the R.

From the south:
From SR 23 headed north, turn R onto Polaris Pkwy at the light. Turn L onto Green Meadows Dr at the first light.
Turn R onto Cotter St. After a slight L, the studio will be on the R.

From the east:
From Polaris Pkwy headed west, turn R onto Green Meadows Dr at the light just before you reach SR 23. Turn R
onto Cotter St. After a slight L, the studio will be on the R.
Directions to the Studio
Most of our classes are 45 minutes in length, once a week; tuition is $44/month. Our Genesis 3 classes are 30
minutes, once a week; tuition for those is
$37/month. Some of our Intermediate and Advanced classes are 60
minutes, once per week; tuition is
$48/month.

Our dance program at Footsteps is designed to cover 39 weeks of material, including Picture Week, dress
rehearsals, and our annual Spring Concert. Tuition, therefore, is considered to be a
yearly amount that is payable in
3 time frames:

  • Lump sum, which benefits from a 5% discount off the total amount;
  • Trimester payments, which benefit from a 3% discount off the total amount;
  • Monthly installments, which benefit from the regular discount charts.

Footsteps offers
discounts for multiple classes per family. The second class per family is discounted by 5%; the third
by 10%; the fourth by 15%, and so on, with a maximum discount of 33%. Please refer to the Recreational Tuition
Chart below for exact amounts. We also offer a special discounted price of $70/month for families who sign up their 4-
6 year-old for both Genesis Ballet and Genesis Tap--we call this our
"Genesis Package." No further discounts apply
to Genesis Package tuition. We also offer special tuition packages for ballerinas who take 2+ ballet classes per week,
and/or participate in our Pointe Program; please call our office for details on
Ballet Package pricing.
Footsteps offers extra discounts to families who have dancers in our performing and competition company, the
Footsteps Dance Theater (FDT). FDT company tuition rates have been determined by the number of hours per
week that family members are in classes,. If just one family member is in FDT, the whole family’s tuition is figured
using the
FDT Company Tuition Chart. Please contact the Footsteps office for exact amounts.

Check out our FDT Company page for details on our accelerated, pre-professional company program.
Recreational Tuition Chart
Footsteps Dance Theater Company Tuition
Registration takes place at the studio, where we can meet prospective students and their families with a warm,
friendly, personal smile! The
enrollment process includes filling out the registration, medical release, and late
payment policy forms and paying both the registration fee and first month’s tuition.
All forms must be filled out and
payment made in full before a student’s place in the class is guaranteed.
You can get a head start on the paperwork
by downloading and printing the forms from our Downloads page!

Registration fees are made annually in the amounts of $25 for a single student or $35 per family; registration fees
cover account set-up, client mailbox rental, CD’s of the students’ Spring Concert music, and studio overhead during
registration. Registration fees are non-refundable.

We do not offer online registration at this time.

Registration for
Summer classes begins May 1, 2008; summer registration fees are automatically counted toward
your fall registration fee, should you return to continue the fun in our regular season.
Early Bird Fall Registration
runs June 23-July 24, 2008; during this time, families may register through the mail or at the studio and get first pick
of class times, as well as $5 off their registration fee. Fall registration at regular rates will begin with our
Open House
dates listed below, and continues indefinitely:

                                     
  August 8-9, 2008         4:00-8:00 pm
                                       August 15-16, 2008     4:00-8:00 pm
                                       August 22-23, 2008     4:00-8:00 pm
                                       August 30, 2008          4:00-8:00 pm

Dancers must register no later than February 26 to be eligible to perform in our Spring Concert in June, due to
costume availability. We still accept new students after that date, but they'll have to enjoy the Spring Concert as
audience members rather than as performers! New registrants after February 26 will receive one free ticket to the
Spring Concert show of their choice; tickets go on sale May 11, 2009.

Upon registration, each family receives a
Registration Packet, a folder containing a copy of our Studio Policies, as
well as their schedule, client mailbox number, and other pertinent information. We recommend keeping this folder
handy at home so you can refer to it when you have questions throughout the dance season.
Payment Methods

The Footsteps Family Dance Center accepts the following payment methods: cash, check, money order, Visa,
Mastercard, and Discover
. We are working to soon offer payments via Paypal, as well!

Tuition Deadlines

All tuition is due on the first of each month. If unpaid by the close of business on the 10th, a “Wish-You-Had-Paid-on-
Time” (WYHPOT) penalty of $15
will be added--ouch! If tuition remains unpaid by the close of business on the 29th,
and the student has attended classes that month, tuition and the WYHPOT penalty will be
automatically debited from
the credit card on file in the Footsteps office.

Attendance

Regular attendance is crucial to the development of our dancers. In order to be minimally prepared for the Spring
Concert, students must have attended
75% of lessons in each class with which they intend to perform.

If a student must miss a class, or if classes are canceled due to bad weather, a suitable
make-up class can be
scheduled in the office. We do not refund or pro-rate tuition for missed or cancelled classes.

Bad Weather Cancellations

If driving conditions are hazardous, please call the studio or log on to our website to see whether or not we are
conducting classes that day. If
Olentangy Schools close, Footsteps' morning classes will automatically be cancelled
as well. We do not necessarily cancel afternoon/evening classes if schools are closed, since the roads are often
clear by the afternoon when most of our classes begin, so please call or log on if in doubt. Canceled classes will not
be rescheduled, but we encourage students to attend a
make-up class. Please use your best judgment when
determining whether or not to drive to dance class when conditions are slippery; dancing is wonderful, but it is not
worth risking your life for!

Observation

Parents are always welcome to observe through the viewing windows--we want you to be involved with what your
children are learning in dance class and to rejoice with them in their weekly progress! Occasionally, especially in
Genesis classes the instructor may invite the parents into the room to watch and to hear special announcements. As
the Spring Concert approaches, we often practice with parents and fellow students in the room to help dancers get
used to performing in front of an audience.


Withdrawing From Classes

If a student withdraws from classes, we request a written notice of withdrawal, including reasons, please, so we can
consider making changes that might benefit our continuing clients.

Tuition will be refunded only if written notice of withdrawal is received by our office. The amount refunded will reflect
classes not taken after the postmark date on the written notice. Any
discounts given for trimester or lump sum
payments will no longer apply since the terms of the discount were not fulfilled.

Costume fees are not refundable once costumes have been ordered. Prop rental fees will be refunded, however.

Accounts of students who have neither attended classes nor paid tuition for
6 consecutive weeks will be transferred
to our inactive list. Inactive students may
re-register during the same dance year for a $5 fee.

Spring Concert Performances

The Footsteps dance season culminates with our Spring Concert. The purposes of the Spring Concert are to share
with our adoring fans the fruits of our hard work in class all year, to motivate students to practice at home, and to
experience the magic of performing in a professional quality stage show. While it is a big deal, the Spring Concert is
not mandatory; students are not required to participate. In such cases, they still attend class, learn the dance routine,
and join in the class photo, but do not attend dress rehearsal or the show. Those who opt not to perform should
notify the office at costume ordering time.

Our Spring Concert is divided into
3 shows, each different from each other. Each show lasts approximately 2 hours
and 45 minutes
. Dress rehearsals and shows take place at Ohio Wesleyan University's Chappelear Theater in
Delaware. The Spring Concert has a fun
theme each year: This year's is "A Season to Dance," based on
Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4:
“There is a…season for every activity under heaven: …a time to dance.” Show dates are June 6-
7, 2008.
Tickets go on sale May 12 and cost $10 each; parents receive a $5 discount on the first 2 tickets they
purchase to each show they have a child dancing in. For further details about the Spring Concert, please visit our
Performances page.

Spring Concert Costumes and Props

Spring Concert costumes are ordered in early December. Costumes must be paid in full, or an Installment Contract
established, before they will be ordered.
Prices are listed below and will be billed in November. Pictures of costumes
will be posted in the lobby in late November.

             
Genesis……………………………………...$55 each
             Beginner/Ruby/Amber/Hip Hop/Adults……$
60 each
             Intermediate/Emerald/Topaz/Amethyst......
$70 each
             Advanced/Sapphire//Onyx/Diamond………$75 each

Families purchasing 4 or more costumes may spread out payments over a period of 4 months: November, December,
January, and February. There is a one-time fee of $15 for a
costume contract, which helps to cover the interest that
the unpaid balance incurs on the Footsteps credit card over those 4 months, as well as our office staff’s time and
extra paperwork. This contract fee is due with the first month’s payment in November. Costumes for contract
customers will be ordered in faith that the contract will be honored until paid in full. We also offer
discounts on
costumes when purchasing 4 or more per family; costume discounts are detailed in our Registration Packet.

Costume fees are
non-refundable after costumes have been ordered. Even if you drop the class, the costume still
belongs to
you, as manufacturers do not accept cancellations, changes to orders, or returns!

If props are used in a Spring Concert dance, a small one-time
prop rental fee of $6 will be charged to dancers in that
number.

For additional costume information, please
CLICK HERE. Scroll down to the section on costumes and props.
Footsteps Lobby
Dressing Room
Dressing Room
Viewing Windows
"Jazz Room"
"Ballet Room"
Class per
Family
1st Class
2nd Class
3rd Class
4th Class
5th Class
6th Class
7th Class
8th and all
other
Classes
MINUTES
FULL PRICE
5% OFF
10% OFF
15% OFF
20% OFF
25% OFF
30% OFF
33% OFF3
30
$37
$35
$33
$31
$30
$28
$26
$24
45
$44
$42
$40
$37
$35
$33
$31
$29
60
$48
$46
$43
$41
$38
$36
$34
$32
*How to read this chart:
1st family member takes one 60-min class = $48 (full price)
2nd or same family member takes one 45-min class = $42 (5% off)
3rd or same family member takes one 30-min class = $33 (10% off)

$48 + $42 + $33 = $123/month
Class Rules
What We Wear to Class
Genesis Program  
             
Genesis 3        Pink dance dress, white socks, pink leather ballet shoes or black patent taps w/buttons, ponytail

Genesis 4/5     Lavender dress, white socks, pink leather ballet shoes or black patent taps w/buttons, ponytail

Genesis 5/6     Light blue dress, white socks, pink leather ballet shoes or black patent taps w/buttons, ponytail

Ballet/Pointe Program                                 

Ballet Ruby/Intro        Burgundy leotard, Bloch pink footed or convertible tights, pink leather ballet shoes, white          
                                  hip alignment belt, bun

Ballet Amber              Yellow leotard, Bloch pink footed or convertible tights, pink leather split-sole ballet shoes, light
                                  blue hip alignment belt, bun

Ballet Emerald           Hunter green leotard, Bloch pink footed or convertible tights, pink leather split-sole ballet          
                                  shoes, white hip alignment belt, bun, no bangs

Ballet Sapphire          Royal blue leotard, Bloch pink convertible tights, pink canvas split-sole ballet shoes, hot pink    
                                  hip alignment belt, bun, no bangs

Ballet Onyx                Black leotard, Bloch pink convertible tights, pink canvas split-sole ballet shoes, hot pink hip      
                                  alignment belt, bun, no bangs

Pointe--all levels        Ballet class color leotard, ballet pink seamed tights (Capezio 1864 or 1864C), pointe shoes as
                                  recommended by instructor, Elastorib ribbons, any color skirt (rehearsal tutu for variations       
                                  class), bun, no bangs

Other Programs                                        

Jazz Recreational       Any solid color leotard, black jazz pants tight to the knee or light suntan tights (tights may be    
                                  required for performances--Bloch 920 or 921G), tan split-sole slip-on jazz shoes (SDJZ 40 or   
                                  CACG 05), ponytail for beginners/bun for intermediate

Hip-hop                      Any shirt w/full coverage & non-offensive message, any pants w/full coverage & freedom of      
                                  movement, black low-top jazz sneakers (any style or brand), any hairstyle goes!

Tap Recreational       Any solid color leotard, black jazz pants tight to the knee or light suntan tights (tights may be    
                                  required for performances--Bloch 920 or 921G), tan mary jane tap shoes (CA 3800 or              
                                  3800C), ponytail for beginners, bun for intermediate


Adults                        Comfortable clothes w/full coverage & freedom of movement, Shoes: Ballet-pink canvas            
                                  split-sole ballet; Jazz-tan split-sole slip-on jazz; Tap-black slip-on jazztaps, hair secured out of   
                                  face

Men/Boys                   Plain white or FFDC t-shirt, black sweats, shorts, jazz pants, or tights, Shoes:Ballet-white          
                                  canvas split-sole ballet; Jazz-black split-sole slip-on jazz; Tap-black slip-on jazztaps;                  
                                  Hip-hop-black low-top jazz sneakers    

FDT Company           Black, ballet class color, or Company leotard; pink, black, or light suntan tights or black jazz      
                                  pants tight to the knee; shoes as directed by instructor, bun w/no bangs or as directed by        
                                  instructor            
Be early:
Dancers should be stretching in the dressing room before class for safety, plus they avoid missing important
technique and disrupting the class. Students more than 5 minutes late will not be admitted into class and should see
the office to schedule a make-up class.

Be in dress code:
Dancers perform better when dressed for the part, plus instructors are able to clearly see muscle activity and
skeletal alignment, as well as unison among dancers. Proper dance attire is part of the tradition and discipline of the
art form.

Be safe:
Dancers have been known to choke on chewing gum, get cut by jewelry, get injured by lack of warm-up, and get
injured worse by not telling the teacher about existing injuries. Please spit out your gum, leave your jewels in the
dressing room, stretch before class, and tell the teacher if you are hurt!

Be respectful:
Dancers work hard to develop beautiful outsides, and we strive to help our dancers develop beautiful insides as
well. We expect to hear polite, kind words between classmates and when addressing teachers and parents. We also
expect our equipment to be handled with care, and our studio to be treated like the special place that it is.

Be faithful in practicing:
Dancers only improve through repetition; it’s how their bodies learn to remember the technique and maintain a high
level of fitness. The staff has only a short time in the studio with our dancers each week, and we give them the tools
to be wonderful dancers. However, it is up to the dancers to use those tools, and what they build depends largely on
often they use them!
All items required for our dress code will be available for purchase at Footsteps during our Fall Open Houses
only. You can stop in, try on our sizers, and order your dancewear right here at the studio! The only required
items we will not carry are pointe shoes and canvas ballet shoes, because our advanced dancers have a wide
variety of preferences that can be better accommodated by a professional dance supply store. We expect all
dress code items to be delivered by mid-September. The earlier you order, the earlier yours will arrive! Open
House hours are August 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, and 30, from 4:00-8:00 pm.
New this season!
New this season!