Faculty

Kristen Bissinger, Co-Director, earned a BA in Dance and Drama from Colorado College. She has taught creative dramatics and dance for the past twenty four years in local private and public schools and through various cultural programs. Kristen is a certified Brain Gym teacher and has co-authored the book Leap into Learning! Teaching K-7 Curriculum Through Creative Dramatics and Dance. This is her twenty-fourth year with Feet First.

Karen Clemente, Co-Director earned a Master of Education and a Doctor of Education in Dance from Temple University. Karen is a professor at Eastern University in St. David's, where she is the Chair of the Dance and Theatre Department and the Director of the Eastern University Sacred Dance Group. Karen received the 2001 Professional Honor Award in Dance from the Pennsylvania State Association for Health Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. This is Karen's twenty-second year with Feet First.

Toni Duncan, Marketing Director earned a BA in Dance and a BS in Marketing from DeSales University. Toni has taught ballet, creative movement, modern parent/child and pointe at local dance studios for the past ten years. She earned Pilates Mat Certification through the PhysicalMind Institute in August 2005. This is her ninth year with Feet First.

Lisa Lovelace earned a BA in Dance from the University of Maryland and a MFA in Dance from Temple University. Lisa has performed with Improvisations Unlimited, DanceTeller, Anne Vachon/Dance Conduit and was a co-founder of Sacred Ways Dance Company. Lisa is on the dance faculty at West Chester University and teaches at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia. Lisa is the 1999 recipient of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Emerging Choreographer's Grant. This is Lisa's seventeenth year with Feet First.

Julie Kurtz Chittick earned a BA in Integrative Arts with a focus in Dance and Visual Arts from Pennsylvania State University. She has taught dance in the Lehigh Valley area including Lehigh University and Cedar Crest College. Julie has danced with Sacred Ways Dance Company and has taught workshops for the Parkettes Training Center and for the Great Valley Girl Scout Council. This is Julie's thirteenth year with Feet First.

Tom Bissinger has been dancing and performing with Feet First for the past fourteen years. He has worked in theater for over forty years. His latest book, DA CAPO; selected writings 1967-2004 is awaiting publication. This is Tom's eighth year teaching for Feet First.

Kelli Fletcher earned a BA in Dance from Eastern University and has worked with DanceFusion in Philadelphia. She has taken tap classes with Tommy Sutton, Diane Walker and Savion Glover and has also won a National Championship in tap. This is Kelli's fifth year with Feet First.

Josh Landis earned a BA in Dance and Youth Ministry from Eastern University. Josh is a member of two local modern dance companies. He has choreographed for area schools and organizations and has taught jazz, modern, ballet, musical theatre and hip-hop. This is Josh’s second year with Feet First.