5 minute read
From the Top Studio of Dance: Quality Dance Education with a Twist of Fun
Business Profile by Liz Burnett
Photos courtesy of Shannon Lynn Photography www.ShannonLynnPhotography.com
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.
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 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.
(L to R) “Miss Sheila” (Turner) and “Miss Kitty” (Kitrina McNichols)
Photos courtesy of Shannon Lynn Photography www.ShannonLynnPhotography.com
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.
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!
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.
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 through May. Students select one class per week, an hour that focuses on one dance style. Younger students take “combination classes,” and in each class, they’re introduced to and train in several different dance styles. All students participate in the annual recital in late May. This year, due to increased enrollment and sell-out crowds last year, FTT’s recital will be held in a larger venue, and there will be two shows. Immediately after the annual recital, registration opens for the classes that start in September.
Instructors Miss Eve and Miss Jayna with student dancers ages 4-6
Photos courtesy of Shannon Lynn Photography www.ShannonLynnPhotography.com
In addition to “Miss Sheila,” FTT has a full staff of professional and trained Instructors, many of whom are also lifelong Newtown Square residents. Instructor Kitrina McNichols (“Miss Kitty”), one of FTT’s original students, also serves as the studio’s Director of Communications. Instructor and Managing Director Helena Berggren, originally from Sweden and partowner of a dance studio there, expects to add some new connections and offerings for FTT’s dance students, including some Wellness Workshops for kids and teens.
Sheila takes her staff to NYC every year, to attend the 3-day Dance Teacher Summit, for continuing education and exposure to professional dancers. She also exposes her students to professional dancers by arranging for Broadway performers who are doing a show for awhile in Philly to teach master classes at her studio and do a Q&A about being a professional dancer and what’s required for that career.
FTT is a special needs inclusive studio. They offer daytime special needs classes for five Delaware County organizations. Sheila also teaches a dance class twice a month for students in the MNHS Life Skills Program. In November, some of Sheila’s special needs young adult students nominated her for the “Rose for Toni” award sponsored by AALIVE, an organization that offers adults with autism opportunities for socialization and awareness.
FTT also offers Dance Birthday Parties (many themes) and annual Summer Dance Camps for girls and boys ages 4-14. Dance Camps are fun week-long full-day or half-day programs that include dancing, games, crafts, and making friends through team-oriented activities. For each of 6 weeks, there’s a different theme and final-day show. Register online now at www.FromTheTopDance.com for any or all of these popular dance camps. A new feature this summer is Before and/or After Care.
Sheila and her husband live in Newtown Square. They have a son in college, a daughter at MNHS, and a daughter in kindergarten. Sheila also keeps tabs on her many other “kids” (her dance students). “I watch them carefully and make sure they’re on the right path,” she says. “If not, I’ll say ‘Are you OK? Is everything alright?’ They know we’re a safe place to be, and we want them to use dance as a healthy outlet for whatever’s going on in their life.”
As From the Top dance students perform at the annual NS Tree Lighting ceremony and recitals and take classes that help them learn many dance styles and gain self-confidence and selfesteem through performing arts, Sheila cherishes those fond memories as a young dancer herself. She also gets great satisfaction knowing she’s helping HER dance students create those wonderful memories and life skills for themselves. Sheila Turner has made her mentor’s mission and vision a beloved and lasting legacy here in Newtown Square!
Dance classes for ages two through adult.
610 - 353 - 2623
Now enrolling for Summer Camp & Summer Dance!
3603 Chapel Road, Newtown Square
www.FromTheTopDance.com
info@fromthetopdance.com
Celebrating 16 years!
Tap • Ballet • Lyrical • Broadway Jazz • Little Movers & Shakers • Jazz • Pointe • Hip Hop • Contemporary • Birthday Parties • Special Needs Inclusive
