Nicole's Writings

By Nicole Ciarapica

Shaun Dize Updike has been dancing since she was 2 ½ years old. At a convention in elementary school, she heard the words “feet of fire.” She knew that if she ever opened her own academy—that’s what she would call it.

In 2006, Shaun’s dream became a reality when she opened Feet of Fire Dance Academy in Salisbury. The whole thing came about as fast as a jazz step. In three weeks, Shaun went from not having a studio to 95 kids enrolled in a small, one-room dance academy.

“It was kind of a whirlwind,” she said, “It took awhile to sink in that it was all mine.”

Now four years later, Feet of Fire is a 6000 sq. foot corner in the Twilley Center—the biggest dance facility on Delmarva. She now has 400 students, age 2 ½ and up, who travel from as far as Bridgeville and Hooper’s Island to attend class.

Shaun, 27, is a Shore native and lives in Queen Anne’s county with husband, Frank, and 6 ½ month old baby boy, Krue. She has a degree in Exercise Science/Nutrition from SU and she taught dance, drama, and health at Salisbury school.

She’s been in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and hip-hop dancing for over 20 years. In middle and high school, she was a three-time national dance champion. She also danced with Krue for nine months.

“I danced until the morning before I gave birth and only waited two weeks after to dance again,” said Shaun, “I had two months to get in shape for a show.”

She’s a dedicated wife and mother who can’t forget she’s also a dancer.

“You have to find that balance. Family comes first but dance has been with me my whole life,” she said, “If you feel that strongly about something, you have to make time to fit it in somewhere.”

The academy has classes in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and hip-hop for ages 2 ½ and up.

“It’s a great confidence builder for young kids who haven’t been in social situations with other kids,” Shaun said, “For most, it’s the one thing they do outside of home and school and they look forward to it every single week.”

The best awards that Shaun’s dancers have won are “Most Entertaining” and highest overall score in the mini and junior divisions. Feet of Fire dancers perform at the Salisbury fest, Chamber fest, March of Dimes, and Walk America.

Feet of Fire isn’t just for young girls. There are 12 boys in Shaun’s boys only hip-hop class and 40 adults in their own hip-hop class.

“Our philosophy is that we are for every kind of dancer,” she said, “Dancing is freeing—you can express yourself without worrying about what everyone else is saying or thinking. It’s being who you are.”

Shaun’s favorite part is creating choreography to the music.

“I hear music on the radio or TV. I pick anything that inspires me or sticks in my head,” she said.

She says she’ll let Krue decide if dancing is for him. But for Shaun, there’s never been any doubt.

“I will be dancing as long as my legs will carry me,” she said, “It’s a part of who I am. My mom says it’s in my blood.”