Foothills Dance Conservatory

Hello, fellow South Carolinians, particularly those in the beautiful Upstate region! Are you searching for a dance institution that not only provides unparalleled technical training but also fosters a deep sense of community and helps truly passionate individuals realize their biggest dreams? Look no further than Foothills Dance Conservatory (FDC) in Seneca, SC. Founded in 1997, FDC has established itself as the first premier pre-professional dance school in Oconee County, and its exceptional ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance training are widely recognized throughout the professional dance community as being among the best training facilities in South Carolina.

Foothills Dance Conservatory operates with a highly ambitious objective: to offer time-honored traditional dance instruction in a variety of subjects within a nurturing environment, delivering teaching excellence normally found only in big cities. Their professional faculty brings with them the professionalism and expertise learned from training with some of the best national and international teachers in the world. This commitment to world-class instruction means that whether students attend "just for fun" or for a possible future dance career, all receive correct, high-quality training. Students from many locations travel to Seneca specifically to take advantage of the extraordinary opportunities offered at FDC, attracted by the studio's reputation for high-quality instruction at some of the most reasonable tuition rates in the nation.

The profound impact of FDC is beautifully illustrated by the success stories of its alumni. One former student shared, "Foothills is, without a doubt, my home as a dancer. I grew up taking ballet, jazz, and modern there and later instructed as well, and it provided me with both an outstanding artistic education and a community with which to share my love of dance. Foothills has brought me from being a toddler twirling around the living room in a tutu, to being a passionate little girl thinking surely her wild aspirations must be pipe dreams, to being the high school senior diving headfirst into the pursuit of a professional career in dance. I am now going into my senior year at Marymount Manhattan college (for modern dance) in the Big Apple itself, and thanks to my upbringing at FDC, dreams are coming true every day." This testimonial speaks volumes about FDC's ability to not only provide outstanding artistic education but also to cultivate a supportive community that nurtures passion and transforms aspirations into reality.

Another powerful endorsement comes from a parent whose son, a current dance major at the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities (SCGSAH), discovered his love for ballet at FDC because of Artistic Director Ginny Siano-Eck. This parent states, "Foothills Dance Conservatory is a true gem in the Upstate of South Carolina! Ginny invests in her students and pushes them to be their best. My son, who is a current dance major at SCGSAH, discovered a love for ballet because of Ginny. He has plans to pursue dance as a career. My daughter is also a current student at Foothills Conservatory and looks forward to her classes each week." This highlights Ginny Siano-Eck's remarkable ability to inspire and mentor students, guiding them toward professional careers in dance. Furthermore, Ginny's extensive connections within the dance community allow FDC to bring "quality instructors and guest dancers" to the Seneca community, providing unparalleled exposure and opportunities for local students.

The facilities at FDC are designed to support this high level of training. They boast beautiful, spacious, state-of-the-art studios with high ceilings. Crucially, all three spaces have injury-preventative wood sprung flooring with a slip-resistant Marley overlay in the two main spaces, ensuring a safe and optimal environment for dancers to train. Additionally, a parent observation room allows parents to witness firsthand the difference in training between FDC's professional approach and commercial dance studios. This transparency and dedication to proper, safe instruction further solidify FDC's standing as a premier institution.

In conclusion, Foothills Dance Conservatory is truly a jewel in the Upstate of South Carolina. It’s a place where artistic dreams are nurtured with exceptional training, profound dedication, and a supportive community. For any individual in South Carolina, from a young beginner to a pre-professional aspiring dancer, FDC offers an unparalleled environment to grow, excel, and experience the magic of dance. Their commitment to excellence, coupled with reasonable tuition and a nurturing atmosphere, makes them a highly recommended choice for anyone passionate about dance.

Foothills Dance Conservatory is conveniently located at 109 E North 1st St, Seneca, SC 29678, USA. This central location in Seneca, South Carolina, makes it highly accessible for families and students residing throughout Oconee County and the broader Upstate region. Its position on East North 1st Street, a primary thoroughfare, ensures that the studio is straightforward to reach by car, typically with convenient parking available. The accessibility of this location is a significant advantage for consistent attendance, drawing students not only from Seneca but also from surrounding communities who seek out FDC's renowned training. For locals, this means having access to world-class dance education right in their backyard.

• Comprehensive Dance Training: Offers instruction for girls and boys ages 4 and up, from beginners to pre-professional levels.
• Diverse Dance Styles: Specializes in Classical Ballet (including pointe and progressing ballet technique), Modern, Contemporary, Jazz, and Tap.
• Pre-Professional Programs: Dedicated training for serious students aiming for professional dance careers, including study under principal dancers and artistic directors.
• Children's Classes: Specific programs like Creative Dance and Pre-Dance for younger students to introduce foundational concepts.
• Adult Classes: Offers Adult Ballet for exercise and general adult exercise classes.
• Summer Dance Intensives: Intensive programs designed to enhance skills during the summer months.
• Performance Opportunities: Students participate in major annual performances, including "The Nutcracker" at Brooks Center, Clemson University, and other showcases like "Peter and the Wolf" and "Movement in the Mountains."
• Master Classes & Guest Artists: Brings in quality guest instructors and dancers through extensive community connections.
• Music, Acting, Dance (M.A.D.) Camp: A collaborative summer camp experience in performing arts for ages 6-17.
• Parent Observation Room: Allows parents to observe classes and understand the training methodology.

• Premier Pre-Professional School: Recognized as one of the best training facilities in South Carolina, offering training comparable to larger cities.
• Outstanding Artistic Education: Provides students with exceptional technical skill and artistic development.
• Nurturing Community: Fosters a supportive environment where dancers feel at home and share their love of dance.
• Highly Qualified Faculty: Professional instructors with extensive national and international training and experience, including a Principal Dancer from Carolina Ballet Theatre and the Artistic Director, Ginny Siano-Eck.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Features spacious studios with high ceilings and injury-preventative wood sprung flooring with Marley overlay.
• Holistic Student Development: Guides students from early aspirations to the pursuit of professional careers, fostering passion and dedication.
• Extensive Dance Community Connections: Artistic Director Ginny Siano-Eck leverages connections to bring in quality guest instructors and performance opportunities.
• Reasonable Tuition Rates: Offers high-quality instruction at competitive rates for national standards.
• Demonstrated Student Success: Alumni achieving professional careers and attending prestigious dance colleges.
• Performance-Oriented: Provides ample opportunities for students to experience the magic of live performance.

Address: 109 E North 1st St, Seneca, SC 29678, USA

Phone: (864) 888-0300

Mobile Phone: +1 864-888-0300

For residents across the Upstate of South Carolina, particularly those in Seneca and surrounding communities, Foothills Dance Conservatory (FDC) is an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended local institution for dance education. Its convenient location at 109 E North 1st St in Seneca ensures easy accessibility, making it a practical choice for consistent attendance for students of all ages. This localized presence minimizes travel burdens, allowing families to access world-class dance training right within their community.

The true suitability of FDC for locals, however, lies in its unparalleled dedication to both artistic excellence and community building. The heartfelt testimonials speak volumes: one alumna describes it as "my home as a dancer" that provided "an outstanding artistic education and a community with which to share my love of dance," ultimately leading to a professional career in New York City. This demonstrates that FDC is not just a school, but a launching pad for dreams, right here in South Carolina.

The consistent praise for Artistic Director Ginny Siano-Eck, who "invests in her students and pushes them to be their best," highlights the personalized and committed mentorship students receive. The fact that a local parent's son discovered a love for ballet at FDC and is now a dance major at SCGSAH, planning a professional career, underscores the profound impact FDC has on its students' lives and futures. Ginny's ability to bring "quality instructors and guest dancers" to our community further enriches the local dance scene, providing exposure and opportunities typically found only in larger metropolitan areas.

With its state-of-the-art facilities, including injury-preventative flooring and a parent observation room, FDC offers a safe, professional, and transparent environment. The diverse curriculum, spanning ballet, jazz, modern, and contemporary for all levels from beginner to pre-professional, ensures that every aspiring dancer, regardless of their goals, can find a place to "bloom as an artist and experience the magic of live performance." For any family in South Carolina seeking a dance conservatory that offers top-tier training, a nurturing community, and a proven track record of success, Foothills Dance Conservatory is undoubtedly the premier choice and a true gem for our local community.

Foothills Dance Conservatory

109 E North 1st St, Seneca, SC 29678, USA