At Innovation Dance Company, we have cultivated a welcoming & supportive learning environment for all students. We celebrate each student’s unique strengths and accomplishments. Our instructors provide guidance, encouragement, and support new opportunities for growth, with thoughtfulness and respect. We ask that all our students and their families support these values so that every dancer has the confidence and freedom to shine.
Director, Jessica Fouts
Jessica Fouts is the sole owner, director, and choreographer of Innovation Dance Company, LLC. and has been training and studying the dance arts in WNY for the past 35 years. She is a certified instructor of Tap, Jazz, Ballet and Modern dance. Jessica earned her certification through Dance Masters of America, Inc and is a Chapter 8 Member. She is qualified in the styles of lyrical dance and hip-hop and is actively pursuing her Master’s Certification in Tap and Jazz. Jessica is also a licensed Physical Therapy Assistant and has been practicing for 11 years. These two careers have given Jessica a strong knowledge-based foundation of body movement, physicality, musicality, gross and fine motor skills, and guide her understanding of the need for proper technique and form, injury avoidance, healing, movement progression, and performance.
Jessica is no stranger to the stage or competition. She’s been a runway model in fashion shows throughout the Buffalo area and took first place in an international photo shoot competition. Jessica has competed in both the Miss America and Miss U.S.A. beauty pageant circuits where dance performance was her talent of choice. She is a multi-time runner-up and two-time title holder at both local and state levels. She also served as a panel judge on the Miss Teen America circuit as well as the Miss All Canadian circuit. Sportsmanship, discipline, stage presence, poise, and determination are qualities Jessica demands of herself and works to harness in each one of her students. She successfully medaled two dance teams at competition. She took two dance teams to competition and medaled both.
Jessica prioritizes fitness and endurance, which you’ll find in every dance class she teaches. She has run the Mighty Niagara Half Marathon, kickboxed for the past 10 years, and currently studies Isshinryu karate. Her most recent karate competition took her to Rochester, N.Y., where she competed in both hand and weapon Kata tournaments. Through focus, composure, and dedication, Jessica was able to outperform multiple higher-ranking belts, taking first place in each event. Besides being an ambitious, tireless, and boundless human, she’s also an everyday human who loves spending time with her husband and three affectionate dogs Jack, Kai and Odin.
FACILITIES
Innovation Dance Company’s studio is a brand new, 2,000 sq ft space of pristine finished hardwood located inside the Orchard Park Community Center. The facility is nestled in a park-like setting, which offers security and plenty of parking.
DIRECTIONS
Orchard Park Community Activity Center
4520 California Road
Orchard Park, NY 14127
GENERAL STUDIO RULES
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No street shoes are allowed in the dance room at any time. Please remove all shoes/boots/sandals prior to entering the dance room.
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Food and/or chewing gum or candy is NOT allowed in the dance room. Water is allowed.
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Please be ready and on time for class meaning hair, clothing and shoes are on and ready before class begins.
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Please do not enter the dance room before designated class time out of respect for the class in session.
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Students are not to be dropped off more than 10 minutes prior to their class time and are to be picked up NO LATER than 10 minutes after their class time unless otherwise arranged ahead of time.
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Parents/guardians or siblings are NOT to be in the dance room for any reason while class is in session. The Company will notify you if there is an issue or concern in class.
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Siblings of students are NOT to be left unattended by parents/guardians at any time in or outside the dance room as the Company will NOT be held responsible.
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If the student has a cell phone, they may NOT use them during class. They are to be kept in their dance bag with the ringer silenced as to not interrupt class if a cell phone goes off. If a student has a concern where they may need to check their phone during class, they must notify the Company prior to the start of class. THIS WILL BE STICTLY ENFORCED.
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When it comes to social media, please respect the law. This includes but is not limited to defamation, discrimination, harassment, copyright and fair use. Please do not post negative comments about the Company, other schools, teachers, other students, performances, conventions or about the directors of said events. We the Company, ask that you please post responsibly.
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Most importantly, have fun!!
ATTENDANCE POLICY
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It is expected that all students will regularly attend their scheduled classes. In the event a student is unable to attend due to illness, school function, etc., please notify the Company either via email, phone or text. There will be no tuition refunds for any missed classes.
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Should a student miss more than four consecutive classes, the Company will request a meeting with the student and parent/guardian to discuss the absences. Make-up classes may be offered at the discretion of the Company. Students will be additionally charged for make-up classes.
DANCE ATTIRE
Girls
Apparel: Tights, leotard, bike shorts, leggings with fitted tee, tank, or crop top.
Hair: Neatly pulled back away from the face.
Shoes: Tan oxford, slip on or Mary Jane tap shoes.
Boys
Apparel: Black dance pants with any solid-colored T-shirt.
Shoes: Black oxford tap shoes.
NOTE: Student are not to wear denim jeans or shorts, dresses, skirts (other than ballet skirt with leotard and tights), baggy clothing or street shoes. The dress code for each class will be strictly enforced. Any deviation may prohibit participation in class. This will be at the discretion of the Company.
ADDITIONAL NOTE: Should a costume require a different color or shoe style from what is listed above, parents/guardians and students will be notified well in advance.
HOLIDAYS AND CLOSURES
The Company will be closed the following dates:
Date(s) | Event |
|---|---|
Monday, October 13th | Holiday |
Tuesday, November 11th | Veterans Day Holiday |
Wednesday - Friday, November 26th, 27th, 28th | Thanksgiving Holiday |
Monday, December 22nd – Friday, January 2nd | Winter Break |
Monday, January 19th | MLK Jr. Holiday |
Monday, February 16th – Friday, February 20th | Mid-Winter Break |
Thursday, April 2nd – Friday, April 10th | Spring Break |
Friday, May 22nd – Monday, May 25th | Memorial Day Weekend |
** In the event of closure due to inclement weather, the Company will post the closure on Facebook, Instagram and can also be found on Channel 4 news. **
