Today we’d like to introduce you to Felecia Thomas.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Felecia. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up dancing in Chicago, Illinois with The New Life Performance Company and at Trinity United Church of Christ. I have danced for most of my life. I taught my first class at age 16; where I found my true love for dance. After high school I went on to study dance at Columbia College Chicago. I then moved to Atlanta in 1999 and connected immediately with dance friends and members of the dance ministry at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. I was dancing and teaching at studios, schools and churches while working in corporate America. I was the Director of the Liturgical Dancers and Victory Church in Stone Mountain, Georgia in the early 2000’s for six years. I have choreographed over 100 dances for different groups and studios with dancers of all ages. So all throughout my life, dance has been a major part of my story. I was asked to teach at Moja Dance Studio in Decatur, Georgia, I took the job knowing my plans of opening my own studio in the community that I lived in. I began the legal process of starting a business in 2011 and I started saving my money. Once I fulfilled my teaching contract, I began searching for space. In my search, I was coming up with nothing. I stopped looking for a while and continued working. I felt the urge to teach. So, I went out looking for a studio to teach at. I would go to one studio in particular and they would never be open so, I stopped going. One day while driving I saw another building for lease. I called the number and the guy asked all kinds of questions about what type of business was it, was I ready to move in, and did I have students. I mean, the questions just kept coming. So, he finally says to meet him at this other address. Unbeknownst to me, I met him at that studio that I was going to everyday that was never open. He said this space is up for lease. I went inside and it was a beautiful state of the art dance studio with two very large dance spaces, I mean 2400 square feet. It was also way out of my budget. I asked him to give me a few days to make a decision. I was at a point where things were very tight financially-life happens. SO, I asked my family and a few very close friends to help raise money to open, I received some investments, I signed the paper and open Reigning Victory Dance Studio. I am moving into my seventh year. We are now located in Downtown Fayetteville, Georgia.
Has it been a smooth road?
I have not had any major bumps in the road in this business. I am not a person who dwells on failures. I will solve any problem and do my best to remain positive, while utilizing the best in business practices in the dance studio industry.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Reigning Victory Dance Studio story. Tell us more about the business.
Reigning Victory Dance Studio is a dance education studio with programs that focus on training people young and old in dance. We offer tools that help in functioning more effectively in dance education, training, philanthropy and service. Our most prized program is Reigning Victory Dance Academy, which serves dancers ages 7-18 who are very serious about their dance training. Ballet is our foundation. My studio is best known for our excellence in dance technique and training. I am most proud of our newest partnerships this year with The Ailey School’s-Destination Dance Ailey/Atlanta, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta-Sports Medicine. While I realize that there are many studios with similar offerings, the one thing that sets me apart from the others is that my dance programs are well suited for serious dancers. Reigning Victory Dance Studio is an award-winning comprehensive conservatory and culture-styled training program for dedicated youth with focus on Ballet, Modern, Jazz and African. Reigning Victory inspires excellence in dance and learning through classes, performances, artist residencies, and education. We prepare students for dance at the collegiate, university, and pre-professional level.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Wow, dance is ever changing. Now competitions, and social media is taking over. But in all of that, concert dance is very much alive, Dancers will need great technique to have a career as professional dancer. Professional concert dancers dance all over the globe in dance companies big and small. Dance is one thing that brings cultures together.
Pricing:
- Reigning Victory Dance Academy 7-18 Tuition ranges from $1,680-$2500 annually
- Pre-Academy ages 3-6 $900-$1000 annually
- Other fees: Application Fee, Production Fees, dance attire (dress code), costume, travel, outings, etc.
Contact Info:
- Address: Reigning Victory Dance Studio
275 Lee Street
Fayetteville, GA 30214 - Website: www.reigningvictorydancestudio.org
- Phone: 770-460-2255
- Email: artisticdirector@reigningvictorydancestudio.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reigningvictory/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReigningVictoryDanceStudio/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/reigningvictory
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/reigning-victory-dance-studio-fayetteville?osq=reigning+victory
Image Credit:
Day Star Photography
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