Harbor Springs teen graduates in June, owns dance studio by July

Plus, Watch or Workshop: Tri-Coastal Pro Dancers Coming to Traverse City

By Al Parker | July 13, 2019

She's danced all over the world and now, at the age of 18, has become owner of her own business, the Beautiful Feet Dance Studio of Harbor Springs.

Amanda Humphrey, who has been teaching at the studio for the past two years, took over as owner this month and will teach classes, offer workshops, and more.

“I've always wanted to own my own business,” said Humphrey, who graduated as valedictorian from Harbor Springs High School in June. “Teaching at the studio was my first actual job in the dance world, and it's been an incredible experience.”

Humphrey began dancing at the age of 4 with classic ballet training. When she was only 10 years old, she was already dancing as a pre-professional. She's danced and trained in Seattle, Chicago, Charlotte, New York City, Austria, and Spain.

Two years ago, Humphrey competed in the prestigious European Ballet Gran Prix in Vienna, Austria, finishing in first place in the contemporary category and posting the highest score in her age group for classical ballet. At last year's gran prix, she received the top score for classical variations in her age group.

“I had a very unusual childhood,” said Humphrey, noting that she's been dancing for 13 solid years. “From 10 to 17, it was very structured. I was dancing 30 hours a week. My day started in the gym, to school, then workout. It was all day, a full-time job.”

Up until a couple of years ago, Humphrey was focused on a professional dance career, but she recognized the drawbacks of a being a dancer.

“It has a huge physical impact on your body,” she said. “And dance makes it very hard to have a family.” 

Already she's suffered a series of physical problems, including having both hip flexors strained to the point where it was very painful to stand or walk. She's faced the other typical injuries that afflict dancers, including troubled ankles, knees, back, and feet.

Humphrey has also encountered instructors who were less than kind to their students. “I had a teacher throw a chair, throw an orange at me,” she recalled. “It was very brutal training. We'll never be like that.” 

Operating her own dance studio smoothly dovetails into Humphrey's newer career plan: While running the studio, she'll also take business classes at North Central Michigan College in Petoskey.

“I love the studio, and this is such an incredible opportunity,” she said. “When it came along I was so honored. It's hard to describe how exciting this is. ”

Humphrey takes over from former owner Alexis Fila, who is leaving northern Michigan. When pressed about how she was able to finance the purchase of the studio, Humphrey declined, saying, "I understand the curiosity in regards to how I’m funding this purchase, however, I don’t feel completely comfortable having that personal information out in the public."

The name of the studio comes from a biblical quote — Isaiah 5, verses 2-7: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!”

Classes are available in ballet, tap, hip hop, jazz, acro, tumbling, and lyrical dance for students ages 2 and up. In addition to Humphrey, classes will be taught by instructors Krista Grove, Bri Cleveland, and Melody Hovie.

“I love teaching,” said Humphrey. “You get a chance to work with young men and women, and you can really influence their lives in a positive way. You can build them up. We focus on kindness, respect, discipline and love, as well as dance technique.” 

Watch or Workshop
Tri-Coastal Professional Dancers Coming to Traverse City Stage
The Traverse City Dance Project launches its seventh season on July 17 and 18 with performances at the City Opera House in Traverse City.

In addition to the TC gig, other performances will be at the Muriel Schulman Theater at Triskelion Arts in New York City and Music Mountain Theater in Lambertville, New Jersey.

Guests will enjoy performances by dancers Annia Hidalgo, Amy Saunder, Cristian Laverde-Koenig, Jeremy Zapanta, Austin Reynolds, Rachel Walton, Jakevis Thomason, and Juan Miquel Posada.

The Dance Project has gathered this impressive troupe of artists from New York City, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, and around Michigan, making this season a tri-coastal effort. They began rehearsals in L.A. and NYC and are holding their annual summer dance residency in TC where they invite the local community to take part in workshops, open rehearsals, and performances. 

This season features world premieres by artistic director Brent Whitney and Jennifer McQuiston Lott, a new commission by guest choreographer Austin Reynolds, live music by Jinny Rogers, and performances by avant garde ensemble Tenth Intervention. Another highlight is a new work by Jakevis Thomason and drummer Ian Chang. For details, visit www.tcdanceproject.org.