Our Story
First Position, a Christian dance & discipleship company was founded in 2012 by Talyn McKinley.
The Back Story
Talyn McKinley was born and raised in Eau Claire WI and trained in dance from age 4 years old, and continued dancing until her graduating year in 2012. Through the years, her love for dance as an art grew and eventually sparked into a love to dance for the Lord.
At the age of 16, she began teaching her first dance classes. Her heart to connect with the younger generation, using her leadership skills to inspire and add value to others was something she had a strong passion for.
When Talyn was 13 years old, she started her missionary training under Child Evangelism Fellowship, sharing the Gospel with children in the Chippewa Valley. She continued her training every year until completing the program in 2013. Though her time had come to an end there, she walked away with a deeper passion to share Jesus with the world, she just didn’t really know how.
In 2012, Talyn felt that call of God to start teaching students how to worship dance. Reluctantly, she said, “yes” and began to walk in obedience to God in starting First Position. Our first semester, we were able to serve 22 students, teaching them how to build their life around God, and using dance as a way to do that. Because we all had a heart for the Lord, the Bible studies were naturally part of our weekly class times. Years later, our Bible studies have become one of the major difference maker in what we do in comparison to other dance groups.
Humble Beginnings
Shortly after our first performance, the company moved into the McKinley’s home, setting up shop in their garage.
It was amazing to watch our student’s grow in their faith, build solid Christ-centered friendships, and be given the opportunity to be used by God in the gifts and talents they had. Every week, we enjoyed watching them become more and more like family to us. O
Together as a company, we learned hands-on how to put God first in everything we did. We became the example to our community of how we lived out God’s call. It was an exciting time!
In 2015, after our spring performance, the Lord made it clear of a new change.
After two years at “The Garage” we prepared to venture out and look for a more stable home for First Position.
Through incredible grace and faithfulness to provide, God gave us the perfect little spot to start growing. Through much prayer, and guidance we signed our first lease!
The Hamilton Square Plaza!
Through the years...
We have put together 14 shows, served over 300+ students. Multiple professions of faith, thousands of audience members, and an eternal legacy yet to be revealed!
In 2020, again, God was preparing the company for new & exciting changes to come.
Best is yet to come!
Relaunch
We believed that First Position never belonged to any one person but has always been God’s vision for us. That is why in the summer of 2021, we began the transition into a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization.
In order to carry on the legacy, to enrich the vision, and bring the mission to the Chippewa Valley we strongly have faith that this is the best decision for this company and our family!
In 2022, Talyn McKinley retired as main teacher and we took a year off to redesign the programs, hire on new staff and relaunch as a restructured organization.
New Programs
We relaunched First Position in 2023 for our first year of SOTA, which is our school year dance program for students that want to train in excellence, and also be discipled on a weekly basis.
New Staff
We were more than blessed by the Lord with our new staff team. Staff that could truly love our students and parents well, and move us into the new era of First Position
We aren’t done, but just getting started! As First Position, our mission has never changed. It’s always been to train dancers in the art of worship dance, disciple them in the Word of God and launch them wherever the Spirit leads.
We want YOU to join us! Whether you are a dancer, or have a heart for discipleship or want to give financially. All helps go towards moving this mission forward and seeing lives changed forever!