Whether it is ballet or ballroom, jazz, modern or tap, Jo’s Footwork Studio in Western Springs has been transforming the leaden-legged into dance floor swans since Jo Irbe opened its doors in 1984.

To commemorate the studio’s 25th birthday, studio owners and La Grange residents John and Christine Fagan are planning a special celebration performance featuring some of the studio’s very first instructors.

The studio was purchased by the Fagans in 1997. Their son, Jay Fagan, was a 14-year-old dance instructor at the studio when Irbe moved out of state and put the studio up for sale. Jay Fagan, now 33, who began dancing at age 4, juggles his teaching schedule with a professional dancing career outside of the studio that takes him across the country and sometimes the world.

Joining him at the studio and on the road is his sister, Connie Fagan, 25, who began dancing when she was 3. Together they have an act called “Sibling Rivalry,” where they dance, along with a healthy measure of bickering and rehearsed one-upmanship. Toward the end, the dancers come together to precisely perform as a dance team.

“In real life, we’re best friends,” Connie Fagan said. “It’s my favorite thing to do. He’s just a blast to be with. It’s the most comfortable I’ve been on the stage.”

For Connie Fagan, who also dances professionally outside of the studio, it all began by seeing her older brother going through the moves.

“It definitely was watching my brother Jay,” she said. “He made it look so fun. I followed in his footsteps.”

Jay Fagan has performed with several dance groups, including the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, Dance for Life and Dance Chicago. But he loves to be in the studio.

“I love to teach. I don’t necessarily give to the kids, I pull out of the kids, inspire them and prove to them the can do anything shown to them,” he said.

As for working an act with his sister, Jay Fagan said it does not get any better than that.

“It’s best when you have your best friend on stage with you who’s better than you,” Jay Fagan said. “Connie is amazing. I have to work twice as hard to hear my feet when she’s dancing next to me.”

The studio teaches the standards, such as ballet, tap, jazz and modern, as well as trends.

“Staying with the traditional aspects, ballet has never changed,” Jay Fagan said. “It is the foundation of all dance.”

The studio serves as an independent contractor with the Western Springs Recreation program.

25 years and counting
WHAT Jo’s Footwork Studio 25th Anniversary Celebration Performance
WHEN 7 p.m. Saturday, June 13
WHERE Glenbard East High School, Biester Theater, 1014 S. Main St., Lombard
DETAILS Tribute featuring Jo Irbe and special guests Terry Wethington, Jay Fagan, Connie Fagan and Mari Jo Irbe

Studio information
LOCATION Western Springs Recreation Center, 1500 Walker St.
PHONE (708) 246-6878
ON THE WEB josfootworkstudio.com