Dancers practice the tornado for Footnotes’ recital Three years ago, Debbie Spivey began a dance ministry called Moving for Christ (MFC) when she “realized the Lord wanted her to use her gifts and talents to spread His glory.” Since that time, MFC has become a highly sought after performance group.

MFC has performed liturgical dance throughout the Midlands for churches, festivals, youth groups, mentally disabled, and even prisoners. Spivey says MFC performs in a wide variety of venues in an effort to spread its message and demonstrate its view of God’s love in a new and innovative way. MFC is headquartered out of Spivey’s studio, Footnotes, The School for Classical Dance, in northeast Columbia.

Seven years ago, Spivey opened Footnotes with two partners. Since that time, she has become the sole owner of Footnotes, where former co–owner Maura Moore still serves as tap director.

Each day, Spivey works with young dancers to foster a love of dance and instill core values like strong work ethic, self–confidence, and dedication. She firmly believes the lessons learned in a dance studio can help bring success in life, be it on stage or in a boardroom.

Spivey is originally from Richmond, VA, where she began her formal training at age six. When she moved to Columbia, she found a home in a community deeply immersed in the arts.

Since arriving in the Midlands, Spivey has directed the Gifted and Talented Dance Program at Brookland Cayce High School, served on the artistic staff of Ann Brodie’s Carolina Ballet, and taught at Calvert–Brodie school of dance 11 years. She furthered her personal training with The Ballet Intensive from Moscow and The Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet.

Through these programs, she received certificates in levels one through seven of the Vaganova Method, more commonly known as The Russian Method.

Dance is truly a part of Debbie Spivey and her son, Scott, who is proof that sometimes you are just born to carry on a family tradition.

Scott began dancing at age three, and at 13 he became serious about dance as a career. Over the years, he has participated in The Nutmeg Conservatory for Arts in Torrington, CT, The Kirov Academy in Washington, DC, the SC Governor’s School for Arts & Humanities, and the NC School for Arts.

Scott’s accomplishments include scholarships from The American Ballet Competition in Miami, FL; for study at the Victor Ullate School in Madrid, Spain; and The American Ballet Theater, for four weeks of intensive study in Los Angeles, CA.

Scott was recently hired as a company member of The Orlando Ballet Company under the direction of Fernando Bujones. He will work with his mother this summer to hone his skills prior to leaving for the beginning of his professional career in the fall.

The Wizard of Oz