		MISSION STATEMENT G.L.R. Dance Studio, Inc., God’s Love Reigns is a Christian based dance school conceived by God, led by the Holy Spirit, and founded by Gail McDonald, Lakisha Smith & Rozand Barratt. GLR offers professional instructional dance classes to individuals, organizations, schools, churches and other entities within the immediate and surrounding community. GLR students, parents, and teachers are given the opportunity to not only learn various techniques of dance, but to experience the joy of serving God through Dance Ministry.

		FACULTY & STAFF Gail McDonald, Founding Director & Instructor Lakisha Smith, Founding Director & Instructor Rozand Barratt, Founding Director & Instructor Lanita Hall Summerlin, Director & Instructor Joyce Watkins, Receptionist & Administrative Assistant Aya Wallace, Ballet Instructor Jasmine Warren, Teaching Assistant Amanda Von Ackbersingh, Teaching Assistant Nicole Bell, African Dance Instructor Charlene Carroll-Hall, African Dance Instructor

		PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY Rozand Barratt is a Founding Director and Instructor at GLR Dance Studio. She is a graduate of SUNY Purchase College Conservatory of Dance with a B.A. in Fine Arts and the Erasmus Hall High School Academy of the Arts, with the Highest Achievement in Dance. She is the founder of the Heaven’s Radicals Dance Ministry, and is currently in demand as a praise dance consultant and choreographer at various churches and schools. Rozand have studied Modern, Jazz, Ballet and African dance extensively, and has been performing for over 16 years. She has been choreographing for over 13 years. Rozand has studied at schools such as Martha Graham and Nannette Bearden Dance Schools, Broadway Dance Center, and has performed at the Apollo Theater and in Purchase College's famous Nutcracker. Rozand is currently a teacher at St. Joseph H.S., Kids for the Future & Good Foundation Pre-Schools, and at the Rikidi Dance Studio. She also choreographs and teaches for several church dance ministries. Rozand has received many awards, such as he NAACP Act-So Dance Competition (1st and 2nd Place); Long Island University Choreography Competition, voted best choreographer and best dancer; The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Dance competition (1^st Place); The Dance Cluster Alvin Ailey Award for Best Technique and Choreography, and The National Promoters’ Award of St. Vincent & The Grenadines. Rozand believes that her ability to dance was given to her by God and that it is a form of praise & worship unto Him. _____________________________

		Lakisha Smith is a Founding Director and Instructor at GLR Dance Studio. She is a graduate of the New School University. She earned an M.A. in Media Studies and has a B.A. in Communication from Brooklyn College. Lakisha currently works at Mindshare, an ad agency as a Partner, Associate Broadcast Director; however, she has always had an affinity for Dance. She started at the age of four at Miss Janet’s Dance Studio, where she remained for 15 years, earning numerous awards and top placement in several dance competitions. In 1999, Lakisha established the DDC Praise dancers and most recently, the Solid Rock Praise Dancers at Bedford Central Presbyterian Church, where she is also a member. Lakisha was also a teacher at the Rikidi Dance Studio. She believes that the discipline learned in Dance transcends throughout every facet of life. It has defined the person she is today and she thanks God and her mother for that. ______________________________

		Gail McDonald is a Founding Director and Instructor at GLR Dance Studio. She holds an M.B.A. from the Frank G. Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University and a B.A. in Economics from Kentucky State University. Gail studied dance while matriculating at KSU and at several popular dance studios across New York City, including Dance New Amsterdam (formerly DanceSpace) and Broadway Dance Center. Most recently, Gail trained professionally at the prestigious Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s, The Ailey School. She exemplifies the harmonious balance between Business and the Arts and is sought after as a singer, dancer and dance teacher, choreographer, and stage director. Gail is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Queens Alumnae Chapter. She is also a volunteer for the Elderplan Member to Member program. Her awards include Outstanding Leadership and Choreography from the KSU Concert Choir 1997 & 1998, Proclamation from State Senator John L. Sampson for contributions to the community through dance education in 2003, National Association of University Women, Flushing North-Shore Branch Woman of the Year in 2007, and a Citation of Honor from Queens Borough President Helen M. Marshall for professionalism and excellence in Business and the Arts in 2007. Gail believes in striving for the highest level of technique, professionalism, and excellence in Dance and Dance Education. "If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain". _____________________________

		Lanita Hall Summerlin is a Director and Instructor at GLR Dance Studio. Lanita started dancing at Gloria Jackson Dance Studio (Queens, NY) under the direction of Ms. Gloria Jackson. Lanita’s formal dance training began at Old Dominion University (Virginia) where she studied Martha Graham Technique and Classical Ballet. Lanita then moved to Philadelphia to complete her Dance training at Temple University. It was here where she studied Umfundalai Technique under the training of Dr. Kariamu Welsh Asante. Lanita has been a member of several dance companies throughout the United States. She has danced with Uhuru African-American Dance Ensemble (Va.), Kariamu & Company (Pa), Bokandeye African-American Dance Theater (NY), and Harambe Dance Company (NY). Lanita currently teaches and choreographs for Dance Studios, Companies, Church Dance Ministries, Schools, and independent groups throughout the Tri-State area. Lanita is a dance educator and choreographer dedicated to teaching expressionism through movement. Lanita believes that through dance, a person can develop discipline and strength, as well as gain self-achievement, confidence, and freedom. “The Dance – It is the Rhythm of All that Dies in Order to Live Again; It is the Eternal Rising of the Sun.” Lanita thanks God for her gifts and the ability to share with others her Spirit through movement and dance. _____________________________

		Aya C. Wallace is a Ballet Instructor at GLR Dance Studio. Aya is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 7 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. Aya received her pre-professional ballet training at Raleigh School of Ballet, Boston Ballet’s 1998 Summer Intensive, and Dance Theater of Harlem’s 2002 Summer Intensive. A North Carolina native, Aya received her B.S. in Kinesiology from Temple University. She is currently a MA candidate for Dance in Higher Education and the Professions: ABT Ballet Pedagogy at New York University. This degree includes a study abroad opportunity in the Advanced Dance Practicum to Kampala, Uganda. Aya has expressed her passion for ballet and contemporary dance through ministry. Since 1994, Aya has been a participant as member, script advisor, and choreographer for “Make a Joyful Noise” Performing Arts Youth Ministry, Inc. of Raleigh, North Carolina. She has danced with TruPraiz Dance Ministry of Baptist Grove Church and choreographed for the church’s youth ministry, Essence of Praise. Her desire is to advocate for sound ballet training and education of minority students to encourage participation in careers in ballet performance, education, and production.

MISSION STATEMENT