We recently interviewed Julie Oliver, founder and director of Beautiful Feet Academy of the Dance Arts in Casper, Wyoming. Julie feels the main difference between her school and other schools is 
their reason for existence. Their dance team is called “Beautiful Feet” based on Isaiah 52:7 in the Bible, which says, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news . . .” and according to Julie, they exist to bring the good news through dance that God sent us a Savior in Jesus Christ. Beautiful Feet is to honor Jesus Christ our Lord while learning the athletic and graceful dance arts with excellence, making friends…and having fun!
Also, when looking at the school’s website, I noticed that in addition to the normal competitions and recitals that most schools participate in, “Beautiful Feet” has performances scheduled at schools and nursing homes. Additionally, they welcome students both male and female aged from “1 to 100!” Lastly, the list of dance classes available is much larger than at most schools. They not only offer the normal performance dances, i.e., ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, etc. that other studios offer, but also offer Irish Step, Ballroom (including Polka), Cheerleading, “dancing with mommy,” “baby ballet,” sports performance, cheerleading, tumbling and drama among others (22 different classes in all). Basically, almost anything involving “creative feet.”
Julie tries to motivate her dancers by reminding them that “the desires of the diligent will be fully satisfied” and as long as they keep practicing faithfully, they can achieve anything they set their minds to.
Julie says that her proudest moments coaching come when she sees her dancers be brave enough to stand on their convictions in the midst of extreme pressure.
Julie feels that the biggest mistakes she has seen dancers make when competing involve their “flubs.” She says that all dancers have their own technique mistakes or “flubs,” but she thinks one of the most pervasive and common problems is simply allowing one’s nervousness to show. “If the dancers can look the judges and audience in the eye and really step out of their comfort zone to really present and perform, that makes a HUGE difference and also tends to draw attention away from other technical mistakes.”
As far as dance clothing goes, Julie feels that the best clothing provides durability and breathability, and does not hinder a full range of motion.
Her goal for this year is to just continue to improve the technique and originality in choreography, 
have fun, and honor God.
Starting a studio has been a lifelong dream for Julie because of how much she loves to dance. She also felt it was a calling in her life that she could not ignore. “Let them praise His name with dancing…” Psalm 149:3a
Julie would also like to invite the reader of this article to learn about her sister’s Ugandan home for orphans with AIDS at www.africaourownhome.org.
If you have experience with Beautiful Feet Academy of the Dance Arts or Julie Oliver please leave a comment below about your experience!
Last fall 3 of my students and I attended a dance workshop with Ballet Magnificat at Ms. Julie’s Beautiful Feet Dance Acamdemy. We enjoyed the workshop at the BFDA studios and classes with Ballet Magnificat teachers as well as atheir perforance of Deliver Us and a tribute to our troops done by Ms. Julie’s dancers.