About the Studio:

Our Faculty | Studio Policies

Our Faculty:

Artistic Director, Ms. Tracé Wilkins Francis - Has over 30 years worth of experience in the performing arts field.  She studied ballet, modern, jazz and tap through her high schools' performing arts program, The American University in Washington, D.C., and New York University.  Mrs. Francis trained and performed for several years with a modern ballet company in Manhattan, and has performed with numerous groups in the New York and Washington, D.C. areas.  She was featured in several independent films, and played one of the leading roles in a musical revue of "Ain't Misbehavin'".  Mrs. Francis has taught children's dance for the Wyandanch School District and at the YWCA in Brooklyn.  She has also choreographed for several events and productions in the Long Island area.  Ms. Wilkins Francis is also the recipient of the 2006 Wyandanch Parent Civic Association's Rainbow Warrior Award.
 

Jazz Instructor, Miss Wynisha Certain - Started studying dance at a young age, and received her dance training from the Venettes Cultural Workshop and the Long Island School for the Performing Arts in Syosset.  She continues to perform and teach dance for local events and organizations, including her church's praise dance group in Queens. 

 

 

 

Step Instructor, Mr. Dwayne Lankford -  Prior to joining the Spirit of Soul staff, Mr. Lankford did volunteer work and started a step team at Huntington Boys & Girls Club.  During his high school years, he earned the title of "Step Master”. As the main choreographer for his step team, the team went on to win three consecutive Long Island Kickline Association Championships.  Since his departure, he has helped out and kept the winning streak alive, having a total of six consecutive wins.

 

 

Teacher's Apprentice/Hip-Hop Instructor, Miss Kandyce Bryant – This young lady started out as a student with Spirit of Soul during its inception seven years ago.  She has recently served as the studio’s student assistant.  Miss Bryant choreographs for various groups in Long Island, including Revelation Church of God in Christ, and for the entertainment group ASOJ Productions.  She is the 2007 recipient of the Oliver “Gene” Bridges and Latonya Johnson Memorial College Scholarship, and is currently attending Farmingdale College to pursue a career in medicine.

 

 

Office Manager, Mrs. Paulette Brown - Has served as Spirit of Soul's office manager since its inception. She has her Associate’s Degree in Legal Studies from Nassau Community College, and is currently working on her Bachelor’s Degree from St. John’s University.  Mrs. Brown has 13 years of experience in the legal field, and plans to pursue her Juris Doctorate degree in law in the near future.

 

 

 

Assistant Office Manager, Ms. Stacy Harris Quarles – Started as an office volunteer, and was appointed as Assistant Office Manager several years ago.  Her genuine love for children, performance talents and creativity has been a true asset to the studio.

 

Studio Information & Policies and Procedures for 2007-2008

Dance Attire:  The appropriate dance attire is required for all classes, as described below.  Dance attire may be purchased at any dance store such as La Strada Dance Wear on Grand Boulevard in Deer Park, Instructor's Dance Choice on Sunrise Highway in Massepequa Park, All That Dance in Babylon Village.  We require a specific brand of ballet slippers and tap shoes for certain classes, which can only be purchased through the studio.  If you have any questions about appropriate attire, please speak to one of the S.O.S. staff. 

Young ladies:

Pre-Juniors:  Black leotard, pink tights, pink leather ballet slippers, and black buckled tap shoes. A skirt is optional.    

Ballet:  Black leotard, pink tights, pink split sole ballet slippers.  A skirt is optional.  Students can also wear sweater shrugs and legwarmers to class during barre work, which can be purchased either through the studio or at a dance store.  Pre-Senior/Senior ballet students will be allowed to wear their recital leotards to class.

Jazz and Tap:  Black leotard, pink tights or flesh-colored tights, black jazz shoes, and black tap shoes. 

Junior students are required to have Revolution tap shoes, which must be ordered through the studio.

Pre-Senior tap students need split sole tap shoes. Senior tap students will need character/heeled tap shoes.  Black jazz pants are optional. 

Step – Dark colored T-shirt, dark colored exercise/sweat or dance pants (no jeans), and sneakers or boots.  Pre-Senior/Senior step students are required to wear their black step boots to class.

Young men:  T-shirt, dark colored sweatpants (no jeans), black gymnast/ballet male shoes, black tap shoes (for tap), and sneakers (Hip-Hop and Step).

Hip-Hop – Comfortable exercises clothing – no jeans allowed.  Dance sneakers, and knee pads (for floor work)

ANY STUDENT NOT PROPERLY DRESSED FOR CLASS WILL BE ASKED TO SIT AND OBSERVE FOR THAT DAY.

ATTENDANCE:  Attendance is taken at each class. Any missed class can be made up by taking another class of the same discipline.  A student more than 15 minutes late to class or not properly dressed for class may be asked to sit and observe and not participate for that day. Please arrange make-up classes with your child’s teacher. Any student missing an excessive amount of classes may not be allowed to perform during the recital. 

REGISTRATION:   There is non-refundable registration fee for the year of $10 per child to reserve a space for all dance students.  Parents who opt to sign-up for our monthly automatic payment via Paypal will have the $10 registration fee waived.  Please note that the classes fill up quickly, and we cannot reserve a student’s spot without the registration fee.

TUITION:  Tuition is paid on a monthly basis and is due by the first Saturday in each month regardless of your child’s attendance and is non-refundable.  After the fifth day, a $15 late fee will be added to all accounts not paid at this time. If you will be out of town during the time tuition is due, please make sure to make payment arrangements with one of our staff.  We will now have the capability to accept credit/debit cards through our website via PayPal. Tuition can also be paid with a personal check, made payable to “Spirit of Soul Dance Studio.”  There will be a $25 fee for any returned checks, and $10 fee for re-deposited checks.  The Studio will not accept checks from anyone who has written checks with insufficient funds more than twice.  Any tuition not received after three months will be sent to an attorney for collection.  All tuition must be paid prior to your child’s participation in any studio events.  If there is a past due tuition balance upon the ordering of costumes or any other events, any monies received will be first applied to outstanding tuition balance.

STUDENT ORIENTATION - All students in the junior level and above participating in this season are required to attend a mandatory orientation during our open house.  Attendance, dress code, class requirements, performance opportunities, and student expectations will be discussed at this meeting.  Students will receive a written contract, outlining the items discussed.  Parents are welcomed to sit-in on this meeting as well.

PERFORMANCES:  We are working on providing our students with several performance opportunities and events for the 2007-2008 dance season.  A holiday performance will be held for all students on Saturday, December 15, 2007 in Wyandanch Youth Services gymnasium for all students in lieu of the parent observations.

The annual recital will be held during the first week in June.  These dates are subject to change depending on the availability of space/theater. You will receive information about location, costumes, etc. on these shows in October and December.  Costume fee varies, depending on the class.  For the Pre-Junior class, the fee is usually around $60 for two costumes (ballet and tap).  For other classes, the cost is between $45 and $60 per costume.  If you choose, you can participate in the fundraiser to offset the cost of your child’s costumes.  Once a costume order is placed, costume fees are non-refundable.

INSURANCE:  Spirit of Soul Dance Studio does not carry medical insurance for its students.  It is required that all dance students be covered by their own family insurance policies, and if injury occurs it is understood that the student’s own policy is your only source of reimbursement.

MEDICAL CONDITION:  Please inform us if your child has a medical condition.  If necessary, please speak to your doctor about your child’s participation in dance class.

CANCELLATION OF CLASSES:  We will try to make every effort to notify you via public voice announcement if class must be cancelled or delayed due to inclimate weather or extenuating circumstances.  Alternatively, you may call the studio for a recording on whether classes will be held or not.  Make-up days for classes cancelled due to inclimate weather will be scheduled accordingly.  For students missing classes due to family emergencies, illness, other functions, etc., please speak with the child’s instructor to schedule a make-up session.

PICTURES/VIDEOS:  Any pictures or videos taken of the students at Spirit of Soul during any time can be used for marketing and promotional purposes at the sole discretion of the owner.  You may take pictures and videotape during your child in class during observation week.  You will have an opportunity to purchase professional pictures in your child’s costume during our recital photo day in April.  Although you do not have to purchase a photo package, it is required that all students are present for their class group photo. 

There is no flash photography or videotaping allowed during the recital.