ABOUT US
The Best Dance School In Brandon!
{STUDIO NAME} first opened its doors in {YEAR} with the idea of a studio where dancers can grow and develop together as a family; a studio that will become a fundamental piece in their personal growth. Over the years, {STUDIO NAME} has had a few different homes within our community of {CITY, STATE}. From our first single classroom studio to our current state of the art facility, we’ve always built and designed with our students and their families in mind.
My philosophy is that all dancers need a foundation in correct dance terminology and proper technique, body placement, and alignment. To achieve this, I offer small classes, group correction, personal correction, a positive atmosphere, and a fun environment. Before walking into a ballet class with the Moscow City Ballet, my teacher once told me, “If they correct you, that’s a good sign. They care.” That has stuck with me through my dance training and teaching. If I see room for correction, my goal is to catch it and make that correction feel natural and easy.
In my 18 years of teaching, I have instilled my love and passion for dance into my students. I currently have former students teaching dance at various places throughout the state. You can find them anywhere from staff dance teacher at Central Holmes Christian School, Assistant Professor at Belhaven University, teaching classes in private North Mississippi studios, as well as those that have opened their own successful dance studios. Nothing could make me more proud!
I pride myself on running a classical and conservative studio. I use modest and conservative costumes and dancewear. I use tasteful and conservative music. We do not allow vulgar or provocative movements. We keep it classy and tasteful.
I believe dance offers students life long skills such as, self confidence, poise, determination, discipline, dedication, goal setting, passion, and my favorite, a mind and body awareness. I hope that my students’ experiences in my classes will boost their self-confidence, allow their personalities to blossom, and develop their self-esteem and respect for others. Overall, I want my students to become more well-rounded people as a result of their time spent in my class. Most important, we “Praise His Name Through Dance”. (Psalm 149:3)
STAFF
Cindy Smith
Owner
I was the owner and Artistic Director at Reagan Dance & Gymnastics for 12 years. There, I ran a recreational and competitive dance, gymnastics, and cheer program. I prepared my students for college level dance training as well as high school dance teams and cheer squads. I give the beginner, recreational student, the same level of attention as the advanced student. I worked with students ages two through adult. I am a dance educator and choreographer for classical ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, and hip hop.
I currently reside at the Rez in Brandon with my husband and two daughters. We are active at Pinelake Church.
A few highlights in my dance training include time with the Moscow City Ballet, teacher training in New York City, and instruction from David Keary with Ballet Mississippi, In Step Dance Club, dance workshops with the Twin City Ballet! I enjoy continuing my dance education yearly through classes, workshops, Children’s Dance Technique workshop for proper training, as well as other dance related programs. I am certified in Progressing Ballet Technique.
Jessica Powell
Teacher
A native of Nassau, Bahamas, Tena has had training in different facets of the entertainment and performance arts. She received formal vocal training and performed as a vocalists for over five years in both Florida and Mississippi with touring bands.
She spent many of her formative years performing.Tena also holds in B. A. in Mass Communications from Belhaven University where she graduated in 2002. She is certified as a group fitness instructor with the Athletics and Fitness Association of America and is an avid health and wellness enthusiast.
As a dancer coach and instructor, Tena believes strongly in standards of excellence and encourages positive thinking and wellness. She works along with her husband, Roger, at Go Long Productions offering select dance and performing arts services.
Roger Long
Teacher
Roger is a native of Jackson, TN. His visionary and entrepreneurial spirit has been in operation throughout his life. At an early age, he was recognized as gifted in the arts. Through successive competitions, scholastic achievements and performances, he honed his abilities as a hip hop dancer, choreographer and artist.
He is now owner of Go Long Productions in Ridgeland, MS Since 2001, Roger has been a dance educator and choreographer. His high energy hip hop dance choreography has become a trademark and featured at competitions, camps, workshops and events throughout the South. He created the renowned dance program, Choreorobics Dance Off, in 2001 and its success is largely due to his powerfully thorough, positive and motivating instructional method along with his solid reputation for delivering consistent high energy classes.
In 2003, he was recognized as one of Who's Who in America's top art professionals and in 2004 among Who's Who in the World as a noted contributor to contemporary performing and visual arts. Today he continues to offer hip hop choreography and coaching through Go Long Productions . Go Long Productions is the arts-based business headed by Roger. It offers an original range of dance and visual art services, classes, events and innovations and all by Roger and Tena Long.
For years, the couple been dedicated to enriching the lives of their students, teaching, choreographing and coaching both young and old, beginners to professionals, solo performers to dance teams at classes, workshops, events and camps. They have trained dancers for national dance and dance team competitions, talent searches, invitationals and more.
Brenna Robertson
Teacher
Brenna began her early dance training in ballet at the age of three in Nevada and later in California, where also she took classes in tap, jazz, modern, and pointe.
She has participated in many workshops and dance intensives in multiple dance styles.
Brenna attended Idyllwild Arts Academy in Idyllwild, California, and Paloma College in San Marcos, California.
She has taught children’s classes at Simply Dance in Ridgecrest, California and also began a dance program for adults with developmental disabilities in Oceanside, California.
Brenna has a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and a Mississippi teaching license in Special Education.
Erica Wilbanks
Teacher
Erica Wilbanks is a native of North Alabama. She began dancing at age 8 at the Dance Factory in Athens, Alabama. In 2002, while attending the University of North Alabama, she started teaching dance. What started out as a part-time summer job, teaching dance became a true passion.
Erica began teaching jazz and tap, and then added pre-school ballet/gymnastics, acrobatics, and competition dance. In 2009, she helped open Allegro Dance and Fitness. During her time there she was responsible for keeping the office running and choreographing many award winning dances. Erica is very fluent in competitive dance, and loved watching dancers become disciplined, strong, and vital members of a team.
Since moving to Mississippi, she taught at The Little Gym of Jackson. She specialized in parent/child and pre-school gymnastics classes. Erica has continued her dance education by attending numerous workshops and conventions along the way.
In the 2015, she began working at Results Physiotherapy in Muscle Shoals, AL. In 2016 she moved to Flowood, MS to help open clinics in the Jackson market. Currently she is the Patient Support Lead at the Ridgeland clinic in the Renaissance. Erica lives in Brandon with her dog, Buster.
Leslie Johnson
Teacher
Leslie Johnson began teaching in 1992 as a student teacher in San Antonio, TX. In 1993, after retiring from the US Army, her dad moved the family to Jackson, MS, and Leslie began dancing with Ballet Mississippi under Fernando Bujones. She also took dance at Power APAC in her senior year of high school under Lisa Brown and Elizabeth Sullivan.
After graduating from Murrah HS in 1994, Mrs. Johnson went to Huntingdon College in Montgomery, AL, where she received her BA in Dance Performance in 1998. After graduation, Leslie began teaching dance at local studios in the Jackson area. In 2003, she went back to school at Belhaven University and received her BA in Business Administration in 2005.
In 2007, Mrs. Johnson opened Bluebird Dance Academy in Pearl. In 2011, after a lot of soul searching and prayer, Mrs. Johnson closed her studio and began teaching at Hinds Community College, Raymond campus, in the dance program under Tiffany Jefferson. Mrs. Johnson currently teaches ballet, tap, jazz, modern, pointe, and repertory at Hinds CC, and is the rehearsal director for Montage Theatre of Dance, the performing arm of the Hinds CC dance program.
Mrs. Johnson lives in Pearl with her husband, Robin, and their daughter, Serenity.
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MISSION & VISION
Mission
Our mission is to provide optimal training for dancers of all levels in a positive, nurturing environment. Our goal is to encourage the growth of dancers through expression, technique and passion while implementing the importance of fresh, innovative artistry. We understand the unique abilities of each dancer and will guide them towards achieving their goals and aspirations.
Vision
We strongly believe that dance as an art form is one of the most beautiful and exciting experiences one can have in life. We are highly devoted and dedicated to the process of the development and popularization of dance activities among people of all ages. We are also fully committed to providing our students with the highest level of education.
Why Us?
We stand out because we care about your dancers and we want everyone to get the encouragement to progress whether it’s their goal to be on the competition team or to dance for fun. It’s our job to make sure they get there with the best instruction, the best knowledge, with the most support and the most convenience.
Central Mississippi Dance
Contact Information
+1 601-706-8551
1902 Highway 471, Brandon, MS 39047
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