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.
Through the growth and challenges she faced in her teenage years, she found herself spending intimate time in her bedroom worshiping the Lord through dance. Her expression of worship became her safe place and found she connected with God greatly during this time. It wasn’t until many years later, God would place a calling on her life to teach others how to worship Him through dance.
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.
Our first performance was called “Born For This” in May of 2013.
Humble Beginnings
Shortly after our first performance, the company moved into the McKinley’s home, setting up shop in their garage. Word spread among the community and First Position doubled in a very short amount of time. Students were driving, sometimes, 45 minutes to an hour to come to weekly classes. We grew very quickly, and God continued to use us in mighty ways.
During our short 2 years in, what the students nicknamed, “The Garage” we put together (by the grace of God) 3 performances.
Winter Show (our first Christmas show)
Crave - spring performance
Temporary Home - spring performance
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.
In this time, God gave us our Vertical Alignment.
God first
Salvation of Others
Brotherhood & Sisterhood of the company
Discipleship
Dance
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!
Called To More
In 2016, God began to place a burden on Talyn’s heart to write about topics that were more challenging. Her first call was to write a dramatic performance surrounding the struggle of suicide and depression. Like nothing we had ever done, we began to lean on God’s wisdom as we wrote this show. We held auditions for students that wanted to participate in this summer production.
The Hope Show came to stage August of 2016. The community’s response to the show was so great that we brought the show back for an encore performance in October of that same year.
This was the birth of our Production Ministry. We desired to create a program that focused on putting together performances that touched people’s hearts in a different way. Speaking on topics and stories that were maybe harder to speak on.
Currently, we are in the process of writing and preparing for our 2nd production called, “Behind Closed Doors” which sheds light on the devastating destruction of pornography, sexual abuse and more, while esteeming the triumphant power of Jesus Christ to bring forgiveness and healing.
In 2020, again, God was preparing the company for new & exciting changes to come.
The best is yet to come!
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!
We are looking forward to seeing God move in amazing ways to bring about a brighter future for First Position and we ask you you to join us!