Our Staff
Studio Instructors
Fachica Austin-Alderson began her dance training at an early age with Muntu African Dance Theater. She has studied at various schools throughout the Chicago area, including the Joel Hall Dance Center, Hubbard Street Dance, ETA Creative Arts Foundation, Deeply Rooted Productions, and Sammy Dyer.
Makeda Crayton began her dance training at Studio One Dance Theatre, and continued her training at Bryant Ballet, The Julliard School, Interlocke School of the Arts and I.D.E.A.S.-Germany. She has performed with The Bryant Ballet Company, Joel Hall Dancers, the Willingham Project, and Dallas Black Dance Theater. Miss Crayton’s Broadway credits include Aida – the China tour, Summer Solstice, Dances from the Heart with the cast of Disney’s Lion King, and Mozart L’Opera Rock in Paris, France.
Reuben D. Echoles is an actor, singer, and dancer. His work has been seen throughout the Chicago land area in performances with the ETA Creative Arts Foundation, the Black Ensemble Theater, the Cornerstone Theater, and the Pegasus Players. He has performed in productions of Eyes, Dreamgirls, The State of Mississippi vs. Emmett Till, and In Between Hell and High Water (Dream Factory). His most recent work can be seen in the Black Ensemble Theater’s production of At Last: A Tribute to Etta James, and he has also performed at the Apollo Theater in New York City in The Jackie Wilson Story. He is also the recipient of the award for best choreography from the Black Theater Alliance. This is Rueben’s sixth season performing as an actor with Studio One; we are blessed to work with him.
Tracy Franklin hails from Chicago, IL and began her training at the age of 16 at Joseph Holmes Dance Theater. Tracey is also a graduate of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center Certificate Program. She has worked with noted choreographers such as Kevin Iega Jeff, Alonzo King, and Donald McKayle among others. She was also a four-year member of Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Tracey is currently a Company member of Deeply Rooted Dance Theater and is extremely excited to be a part your child’s dance experience and the Studio One family!
Robyn Veronica Haynes began her dance training at the age of three here at Studio One Dance Theatre. Her training included Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and Tap in a variety of styles and techniques. Robyn has had the pleasure of studying with world-renowned instructors, including Jimmy Payne, Jr. and LeVon Campbell. Robyn has instructed tap at Studio One since the year 2000. Recently, her excellent ear for rhythms has owned Robyn the role of Music Coordinator for the annual recitals.
Lee Howard began studying tap dance at the Sammy Dyer School of the Theater with Idella Reed-Davis and Bill Barrett. It was at Sammy Dyer that Lee was invited to join M.A.D.D. Rhythms, and he performs with both the company and as a soloist. Lee’s performance credits include M.A.D.D. Rhythms annual revues, television work with ABC and WGN, the City of Chicago Millennium Park opening, Daley Center performances, and a host of other festivals at various venues throughout the country.
Dana Nolan is a native of Chicago, IL. Dana studied at Studio One Dance Theatre for six years, five as a member of the Company. She then continued training at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School as a member of the Stage Dance Ensemble and the Dancing Guys ‘N Dolls. She attended the summer intensive program at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center in New York. Dana holds a B.S. in Public Relations and is currently a consultant for SODT Spring Dance Concerts.
Nicole Clarke Springer began her training at the Joliet Ballet Society and attended a summer intensive at the Alvin Ailey American Dacne Center in New York City. Nicole attended Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Arts Administration. Nicole was a member of the Deeply Rooted Dance Theater Ensemble. She has performed with recording artists Jeffery Osborne and Roberta Flack. Nicole is serving as an artistic consultant for Studio One, where she taught for five years. She has also taught dance at Bertino’s School of Danceology in Harvey and Generation Dance in Joilet, IL.
Kathleen Turner is a native of Columbus, Ohio where she received her primary training at Ballet Met. She has attended institutions such as the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Julliard, and then received her degree in dance from Ohio University. She has performed with the Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theater, Azaguno, and other companies. Kathleen is currently working with Deeply Rooted Dance Theater 2 and is overjoyed to be a part of Studio One.