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 (view our Modesty Standards). 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. 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!

2023 will mark Carissa's 8th year of training in lyrical and classical ballet and her 6th year of teaching and assisting. Among other things, she received the unique opportunity to train under the Cecchetti Counsel of America's (CCA) former president Bethany Lenhart. Carissa has also attended several intensives, including a winter workshop on Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), and she has studied and taught other styles--including contemporary ballet, ballroom, folk, 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."

Karen Ingersoll Instructor
Karen has been blessed to have dancing be a part of her life since the age of 5. She began her training at Randazzo Dance Studio with Marjorie Randazzo and Sara Randazzo, and later trained and performed under Wendi DuBois. When choosing a college, she chose one with a strong dance department. While she didn’t believe she had the talent to go into a career of dance, she felt God calling her to trust Him and choose dance as her major. She earned her B.A. in Dance from Mercyhurst University, where she studied with Jay Kirk (now Professor of Dance at Point Park University) and Mary Price Boday (who later became the founder and Artistic Director of the Illinois Ballet). Upon graduation, she and Mary Price Boday both were hired by the Peoria Ballet School. Karen taught and performed professionally full time until her first child was born. After moving back to her childhood home in Ypsilanti, Karen taught classes at Randazzo Dance and Dance Gallery in Ann Arbor. In addition to teaching for His Feet Dance, Karen currently teaches adult ballet from her home, is a full time mom, caregiver, homeschool teacher, and follower of Christ. Dance has been such a gift from the Lord all her life, and she loves to share that gift to bless others. It is always her desire for the beauty and love of Christ to be shown through dance, for our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19), and “in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).

Katie Hart Instructor

Katie (age 23) has been dancing on and off throughout her life in various settings, but she didn’t realize how much she enjoyed it until she found His Feet and began taking classes there consistently. At HFD, 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 went to Ravencrest Bible School in Estes Park, Colorado for five months after graduating. 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 5 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 school 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 16) 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 eight years, seven 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 11th grade as a home schooled 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.”
Faith Parunak Instructor
Bio Coming Soon!