About Us

His Feet Dance is a Christian dance school, dedicated to teach students to dance in a way that is worshipful, encouraging, and focusing the glory back to God. We offer day time classes, designed specifically for home schooled students. All of our music is positive and God-honoring. All of our dance wear and costumes are modest and up-to-date. We focus our instruction on classical ballet and lyrical styles. Our school year runs from September to April, and finishes off the year with a beautiful Spring recital in May. Both of the facilities we use for our Ann Arbor and Brighton classes include ample parking, restrooms, and waiting rooms for the convenience of siblings and families.

Meet Your Teachers!

Carissa Parunak Owner and Instructor
After attending a performance of The Story Ballet in 2015, Carissa knew that she really wanted to learn to dance, that she really wanted a Christian dance school, and that she really wanted Hannah Hackel, the director of The Story, to be her teacher. She told her mom about her desires, and her mom encouraged her to pray about it and see what God would do. Though somewhat unsure it would happen, Carissa took the advice, and just a few months later her prayers were answered when His Feet Dance was born, with Hannah as the owner and head instructor. After training Carissa for many years, God led Hannah to marry her best friend John in 2021, and to pass His Feet Dance on to Carissa!

2022 will mark Carissa's 7th year of training in lyrical and classical ballet and her 5th year of teaching and assisting. She has also attended several intensives, including a winter workshop on Progressing Ballet Technique, and she has studied and taught other styles--including contemporary ballet, ballroom, and hip hop--for many other organizations outside of His Feet. One of Carissa's favorite Bible verses is Isaiah 65:24, and it reminds her of the way God was planning His Feet before she even asked for it: "Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear."

Katie Hart Instructor

Katie (age 22) has been dancing on and off throughout her life in various settings, but she didn’t realize how much she enjoyed it until taking three years of dance classes at His Feet. During those years she studied ballet, lyrical, and pointe. Now she is excited to share her love for the art and her desire to glorify God, through dance, in her role there as a dance instructor. Katie studied English Language at Eastern Michigan University and then, after graduating, went to Ravencrest Bible School in Estes Park, Colorado for five months. Katie attends Hope Community Church in Ypsilanti and has enjoyed the many different service opportunities she has had there, especially those working with children and teens. In all the things she has done in her life, she always comes back to the encouragement found in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Catalina Martin Instructor

In 2015, Cat was inspired after watching The Story Ballet perform, but never had been able to pursue her dream of dancing. Then, His Feet opened a Brighton location near her and, after praying about it, she decided to attend the studio. Now, Cat has been dancing with His Feet for 4 years, and has already had much experience teaching and assisting many ages, from children to adults. She has studied ballet, pointe, lyrical, hip hop, and has also done many outreach performances with multiple organizations, including her own church, Hope Community Church in Ypsilanti.

Cat is a home schooled graduate and, when she's not dancing, she enjoys caring for her horse, Melima, and running her business, New Hope Equestrian Center, where she trains horses and instructs horseback riding lessons during summers. 

Catalina's favorite Bible verse is Hebrews 12:1-2:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God" (ESV).

Caitlin Parunak Instructor

Caitilin has had a passion for dance her entire life, and she was present in the very first class on the very first day of His Feet Dance, back in 2015. She loves both ballet and lyrical, and especially loves performing and sharing the joy of dancing with young children.

"Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!" -Psalm 34:3

Mercy Hoppe Instructor

Mercy Hoppe (age 15) has loved dance ever since she was little. She was always inspired by watching her older sisters dance and when she was 8 years old, Mercy began taking classes at a local studio. She has been dancing for seven years, six of which she has spent learning at His Feet Dance. She has enjoyed studying ballet, pointe, and lyrical.

Mercy has appreciated His Feet because she has learned there how to worship the Lord through dance. She is also thankful for the welcoming atmosphere and wholesome environment.

Mercy attends Hope community Church in Ypsilanti Michigan. In the fall, she will be going into 10th grade as a homeschooled student. She enjoys working with children and little ones and is looking forward to starting instructing at His Feet this year! She is so thankful that God has given her this opportunity and is excited to see how He uses it.

One of her favorite Bible is verses is Psalm 73:23-24 which says
“Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me into glory.”