Business Profile
Quality Dance Education with a Twist of Fun by Liz Burnett Photos courtesy of Shannon Lynn Photography www.ShannonLynnPhotography.com
(L to R) “Miss Sheila” (Turner) and “Miss Kitty” (Kitrina McNichols)
Learning to dance takes time, interest and effort. It can be hard work, but when that work is FUN, it can feel like PLAY! Newtown Square is blessed with a devoted dance teacher and community advocate, Sheila Turner, whose studio makes sure fun is part of every class.
that studio’s dancers who performed at the annual Saint Albans Circle Tree Lighting Ceremony. She especially loved the trips to New York City that the studio’s owner took her on, to take classes with legendary dancers and choreographers.
Life is Better with Dance!
Celebrating 16 years!
After Sheila graduated from Marple Newtown High School (MNHS), she attended Kutztown University. The self-confidence and comfort level being in front of people she gained from dancing motivated her to pursue a degree in Speech Communications with a minor in Public Relations. While in college, Sheila was involved in the school’s dance program and also taught dance. After graduating from Kutztown in 1994, she worked for 10 years in downtown Philly, in a sales and marketing position.
Tap Ballet Lyrical Broadway Jazz Little Movers & Shakers
Jazz Pointe Hip Hop Contemporary Birthday Parties Special Needs Inclusive
In 2004, Sheila fulfilled her lifelong dream of having her own dance studio. While trying to think of a unique name for it, she thought about how, when practicing dance routines, dance instructors and choreographers don’t say, “Let’s start from the beginning”; they always say “Let’s take it from the top!” The phrase “From the Top” popped into her head. Over the past 16 years, From the Top Studio of Dance (FTT) has steadily grown from one small studio space to one big space with three studios!
A lifelong Newtown Square resident and one of five kids, Sheila started dancing at age 3, at a local studio owned and operated by a former Radio City Music Hall Rockette. Sheila was one of
Now enrolling for Summer Camp & Summer Dance!
Dance classes for ages two through adult.
3603 Chapel Road, Newtown Square
www.FromTheTopDance.com
610 -353 -2623 • info@fromthetopdance.com 28
Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
March 2020
Because the supportive and encouraging studio she grew up in and its owner had meant so much to Sheila, her studio continues that same mission and vision: To teach dancers of all ages and abilities the fundamentals, techniques and performance of dance and movement with the utmost regard for each student's individuality and right of self expression. “I had felt so safe and comfortable as a student in that dance studio, with all the other students, whether they were competitive or recreational dancers,” Sheila explained. “At a very formative time in my life. It was very helpful to have such an outlet to be able to express myself.” At From the Top Studio of Dance (3603 Chapel Rd in Newtown Square), students ages 2 and up can learn many dance styles: Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Broadway Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Lyrical, and Pointe. The instruction schedule runs September
