MISS DAWN, administrative director of First Position Dance Studio, has been instructing students in tumbling, hip-hop, and cheerleading since 1994, and with First Position Dance Studio in Wellsboro and Mansfield since 2003. She has performed and competed on a high school and collegiate level (Temple University in Philadelphia, PA). She has won numerous awards and recognition with UCA and NCA including NCA All-American Cheerleader for two consecutive years.  She has competed through the U.S. at the National level including Daytona Beach & Walt Disney World in Florida, Colorado, Hawaii at the Aloha Bowl, and the NYC Big Apple Classic. While attending Temple University, Dawn studied Ballroom Dancing under the instruction of Hilda Bacon, yoga, aerobics and weight training. Dawn has choreographed pieces for the Wellsboro High School Dance Club as well as for the studio production of ‘The Nutcracker’.

MISS TAYLOR, artistic director of First Position Dance Studio, has been dancing since the age of three, under the direction of Sharon Mitchell at M.P.A.C. located in Pine Bush, NY.  She has been trained in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Street Jazz, Modern, Tap and Showdance. Taylor has assisted in pre-dance classes for 10 years, and instructed for 7 years. She has also attended classes by Master teachers such as Illa Gaft , Jamele Graves, and Kenneth Still, performing in Full Length Ballets including The Nutcraker with the New Jersey Ballet, and The Snowqueen under the direction of Illa Gaft.  Taylor has competed in regional and national competitions since the age of seven, and has received several awards including Jr. High Pointe Soloist, Sr. High Pointe Soloist, the Potential Award, High Pointe Duet award, and the Triple Crown award, along with scholarships to the Alvin Ailey Dance School, and Broadway Dance Center in NYC. Taylor believes that Ballet is the foundation to every other form of dance and can improve your overall technique. In addition to the types of dance Taylor was trained in, she is always eager to learn different forms, and has taking several classes in ethnic dancing, including Salsa, Flamenco, African and Hawaiian dance forms.

MISS JANICE, founder of First Position, has been instructing dancers from 1983-1988 at Longwood Dance Studio, Kennett Square. In 1989, after relocating to Tioga county, she opened "The Dance Studio", and in 1991, acquired "Dance 10", the combined studios became First Position. In addition to Wellsboro, she has taught at satellite locations of FPDS in Westfield, Tioga, Elkland and Knoxville. Additional teaching credits include Tioga Dance Camp and Debra Lanzillo Studio of Dance, Coudersport. Janice has performed and studied ballet, jazz, and musical theatre in Chester County, and has studied ballet and tap in New York City. She has had instruction from many prominent dancers and choreographers including Paul Klocke, PA Ballet; Camille Izard, ABT; Richard Hoskinson, NYCB; Denise Street, Brandywine Ballet; Thomas Enterline, Williamsport Civic Ballet; and Lea Wiliams, Dafmark. Master Classes at SUNY, Brockport, classes with Paul Taylor Dance Company, classes at Steps & Broadway Dance Center, NYC, and observations of the Martha Graham Company class.  Choreography credits include two commissioned pieces,  Wellsboro High School Spring Musicals 1996-2002, several studio productions including 'Tales from Beatrix Potter', 'The Nutcracker', 'Cinderella', 'Peter Pan', 'Alice in Wonderland', and 'Wynken, Blynken and Nod'.  She has additionally choreographed pieces for performances by Attitudes and the Physical Arts Alliance and for FPDS dancers performances in Walt Disney World and Universal Studios.

**PLEASE NOTE**

All of our instructors are continuing their dance training. Dance is an art form that is constantly evolving, and all good instructors continue to train at a studio that challenges them. If you choose to have your child take at another studio, ask the instructors if they are continuing their dance education and training.