MAD Camp is Foothills Conservatory for the Performing Arts ( FCPA) popular summer arts program. It is a fun but intensive workshop in which students learn the fundamentals of dance, drama and voice as well as develop their technique in the performing arts. Al this is under the instruction of experienced professional artists and instructors.

We offer a structured learning experience in a social atmosphere. Students will be placed in different workshop groups, based on their level of achievement. Faculty and guest performers will instruct students in a wide range of fine arts. The workshop culminates in a final showcase performance on July 23rd at the studio, but the skills achieved are just the start - students build a foundation in the arts that will last a lifetime.

Faculty this year include : Sarah Reese ( voice ) who comes to us from Pendelton High School chorus. Sarah is a former professional opera singer and well known voice coach. Traysie Amick ( acting/ theatre) who comes from SC Children’s Theatre in Greenville, SC. Traysie has many years of experience teaching kids in drama and theatre. Ginny Siano – Eck ( dance) who teaches with the Foothills Dance Conservatory in Seneca, SC.

Cost for the entire program is $295. There is a reduced cost for children ages 6-9, and an abreviated version of the camp as well. This includes a $ 20 nonrefundable application fee and workshop materials ( excluding possible costume requirements). Students need to bring their own water , lunch and snacks each day. Before- and After- Care are also available from 7:30-9:30am and 3:30 – 5:30pm for an additional charge.

Sign Up by filling out the registration form, or contact us for more information : (864) 888-0300 or foothillsdance@nctv.com.

Faculty Bios

Veronica Lorraine Hunte is the youngest of three daughters born to the late Sir. Conrad C. Hunte and Lady Patricia Hunte. She has been dancing since the age of 7 and began her growth and development in Johannesburg, South Africa until returning to the States in 1999. She will graduate with a Bachelor’s of Arts and Sciences degree in Dance from the University of Georgia in May 2008. Over the course of her 16 years of dance training Ms. Hunte has studied with the Brighton Dance Connection in Johannesburg, S.A; Ballethnic Academy of Dance in East Point, Ga; The Ailey School in New York; and various summer intensives across the U.S. She has been a member of the UGA Ballet Ensemble, Young Choreographer’s Series, and The Senior Exit Concert while in college. A member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. Veronica has served on the executive board of her sorority for 3 years and on the National Pan-Hellenic Greek Council for 4 years. Ultimately Veronica plans to work in youth growth and personal development using the performing arts and then move on to the training of our youth’s teachers in the field of dance. The performing arts offer a legacy of skills and opportunity for our nation’s youth by gifting them with life lessons such as deportment training, presentational skills, and the ability to articulate clearly and effectively their feelings or ideas. Through workshops and implementation of local community programs Ms. Hunte hopes to impact future generations one dance class at a time. The performing arts is such a key element in youth development by giving them a more cultured view of the world around them while offering them a unique way to contribute to their environment and enjoy the gifts of others. Veronica’s motto is B-Positive and believes that a positive attitude and focused drive can make any dream attainable. She would like to thank all of the students and their parents for sharing these last two years with her, and Ms. Ginny for this amazing opportunity.

For the past 8 years Jacqueline Oliver has been the tap teacher at Foothills Dance Conservatory.  She has been tapping for the majority of her life and has taken classes from some of the best tap masters in the country.  To stay current with the latest in tap, Jacqueline attends regional tap festivals including the Chicago Human Rhythm Project and the Southeastern Tap Explosion.    She received both her Bachelors and Masters degrees at Clemson University in Biology and Parks and Protected Area Management, respectively.  For the past two years, she has lived in Greenville with her husband, Allan, working at Upstate Forever helping private landowners protect significant properties across the Upstate. 

Message from Jacqueline:  Thank you to all the creative and talented tappers at FDC- it has been an honor to have you in class and watch you perform each year.  I hope each of you continues to pursue your interest in tap to satisfy your longing for rhythm in your sole!

Ginny Siano Eck is Artistic Director of FDC and Founding Artistic Director of Foothills Conservatory for the Performing Arts.  Her early classical ballet training began at the Ruth Page Foundation in Chicago with Larry Long, Delores Lipinski and Warren Conover. She has studied modern with Randy Duncan the late Joseph Holmes, and Harriet Ross. She studied jazz with Gus Giordano in Evanston IL. She holds a B.A. in Theatre/Dance and Secondary Education from Barat College in Lake Forest, IL. At Barat she studied Modern with Carol Walker, Ballet with Kenneth Melville (soloist with Sadler’s Wells Ballet London), Jazz with Marcus Alford (Gus Giordano Dance Co.) and numerous guest faculty among them the late Rebecca Wright. She taught dance for fifteen years in the Performing Arts Departments at Highland Park H.S. 1978-1993 (Highland Park, IL) where she was co-director of Dance H.P. and Stevenson H.S. 1993-1996 (Lincolnshire, IL) where she served as the director of  Melange.  She was an artist in residence for the School District of Oconee County 1997-2005. Many of her students have gone on to have successful dance careers in such notable companies as American Ballet Theatre, Mark Morris Dance Group, Cedar Lake Dance Ensemble, Maryland Ballet Theatre to name a few. While having a successful teaching career, Ginny danced professionally in Chicago as a soloist with the Tony Wilson Dance Company and the Chicago Ballet Ensemble. In 1987 she founded Lake Shore Dancers and remained Artistic director until 1996 when she married John Eck and moved to SC. Ginny Siano Eck along with long time dance collaborator Diane Tucker have been showcased and shown their choreography at several National Sacred Dance Guild Conventions (1980-1990).  In 1990 Ginny hosted the National Sacred Dance Guild Convention in Chicago. In 2002 she had the honor of presenting three dance legends/pioneers, Ann Barzel, Margot Koche and Sybil Shearer, life time achievement awards in Highland Park IL for Focus on the Arts. She is presently listed on the Artists Roster for the South Carolina Arts Commission.