About

 

Best Foot Forward has been in existence since 1973, under the name The Arts School of Classical Dance. Then in 1983 changed to Cobblestone Arts Center, then in 2008 changed to its current name Best Foot Forward. We have over 30 years of experience delivering programs to children and are committed to offering quality fine arts classes to the community. We also boast a wealth of knowledge in inclusionary practices, and encourage students of all levels of ability to join. The staff of Best Foot Forward are all highly qualified individuals who have personal, professional, and educational experience in the arts and teaching.

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Staff

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Lorene Benson (Founder, Director, Instructor)

BA , (Empire State College), Masters Certificate in Arts Administration 

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Lorene Benson is the founder, executive director, and a dance instructor at Cobblestone Arts Center, a role she has proudly held since 1983. With a lifelong passion for the arts, Lorene has dedicated her career to making creative expression accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

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She founded the dance company Wheels in Motion, a groundbreaking program that partnered able-bodied dancers with dancers who used wheelchairs, creating inclusive performances that celebrated movement for everyone. Through school performances, the company also educated audiences about disability awareness and inclusion. The spirit of Wheels in Motion continues today through Cobblestone Arts Center’s day habilitation program.

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Lorene also developed a summer arts program for teens, offering paid internships that allow young artists to develop their skills while showcasing their chosen art forms. She is deeply committed to providing opportunities for underprivileged youth, teens on probation, and local students who have a passion for the arts.

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In addition to her work at Cobblestone, Lorene co-runs Best Foot Forward with her daughter, Vanessa Goodwin, further expanding her impact in the arts community.

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Lorene holds a Bachelor’s degree from Empire State College and a Master’s degree in Arts Administration. Her decades of leadership, advocacy, and creativity have left a lasting legacy of inclusion, education, and artistic opportunity.

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Vanessa Goodwin  (Director, Instructor)

BA, Dance Performance, SUNY Brockport

Vanessa Goodwin is the Assistant Executive Director of Cobblestone Arts Center and a dance and theater instructor with Best Foot Forward. She has co-run Best Foot Forward alongside her mother, Lorene Benson, since 2008.

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Vanessa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Dance Performance from SUNY Brockport and has been teaching dance and theater since 2000. She is passionate about working with children and bringing both dance and theatrical productions to life on stage through creative, engaging instruction.

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In addition to her teaching and leadership roles, Vanessa choreographs for the Cobblestone Community Players Theatre Company, contributing her artistic vision to numerous productions. As a mother of four, Vanessa’s love for the arts extends into her family life, with all of her children actively involved in creative pursuits.

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Vanessa’s dedication to arts education, performance, and community engagement continues to enrich the Cobblestone Arts Center and the broader arts community.

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Cindy Edler (Instructor)

BS, Biochemistry, MS, Education

Cindy is an actor, singer, dancer, and director with a deep passion for storytelling and for fostering inclusive, actor-centered rehearsal environments. She began her dance and theater training at Best Foot Forward and went on to perform in numerous musical productions throughout high school with several companies, including Victor Central Schools. She has continued developing her craft through theater and dance classes at the college level.

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Cindy has recently directed Cobblestone Community Players’ productions of Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Shrek: The Musical, and served as Assistant Director for the Players’ Princess Showcase. In addition to her directing work, she is often found backstage at Best Foot Forward’s children’s productions or assisting with dance instruction.

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When she is not immersed in the performing arts, Cindy teaches high school science in a local school district. She is excited to help bring the teen dance and theater programs to life this year and to continue inspiring young performers both on and off the stage.

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Carissa Henkel (Music Director)

Carissa Henkel began her journey with Cobblestone Arts Center in 1997 at the age of six, when she joined the children’s theatre company. Her involvement quickly grew beyond performing to include dance classes and volunteer work with the Wheels in Motion Dance Company, Celebration of Youth, Boundless Abilities, and the day habilitation programs, where she assisted alongside her mother.

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Today, Carissa serves as the Music Director for Best Foot Forward, teaches daily theater classes within the day habilitation program, and co-directs the Boundless Abilities Theatre Club alongside Lorene Benson. She is also an active director and performer with the Cobblestone Community Players, most recently appearing on stage as Fiona in the Players’ fall production of Shrek: The Musical.

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Carissa has dedicated her life to supporting and educating individuals with disabilities of all ages while coaching young performers to develop strong skills in singing and acting. She and her husband, Ryan—who is also actively involved at the center—are raising their three children in the same community that nurtured her love for musical theatre. All three children participate in theater and/or dance through Best Foot Forward, continuing the artistic legacy that inspired Carissa from a young age.​

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​Jess Kiptoo (Instructor)

​BS Childhood Special Education, AS Nursing

Jess has been a part of Best Foot Forward since her teenage years, both as a dance student and set designer. She continues to work with Cobblestone Community Players as a set designer and stage manager and is often found backstage at Best Foot Forward productions helping move sets and support performances.

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Jess holds a Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Special Education and an Associate’s degree in Nursing. She currently serves as one of the program nurses at Cobblestone Arts Center, bringing both her professional expertise and her passion for working in the arts to the program.

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As a mom of two, Jess has a deep personal connection to Best Foot Forward, with both of her sons participating in the dance and theater programs. She enjoys working with children both on and off the stage and is excited to collaborate with Cindy on this summer’s teen programming, creating opportunities for students who love being behind the scenes and giving them their moment to shine.