Dee began her journey in the dance world after attending a country competition, as a spectator, in 1994. She soon paired with John Soares (who later became her husband) and the two began bringing home UCWDC titles in multiple categories. During this time, Dee and John decided to open the Studio One RI Dance Complex, in Lincoln, Rhode Island, to help other students reach their goals and share their passion for dance. Dee strives to keep all of her lessons fun, while focusing on technique, which has been a successful combination, as she has won multiple world titles with her Pro-Am students!
Specialties: Country, Ballroom (American Style), West Coast Swing, Wedding Couples, Competitive and Social Dancers.
John Soares
Owner & Instructor
John began country ballroom dancing at local social events, where he eventually met Dee. They started competing together and were soon bringing home multiple UCWDC titles in a plethora of categories. In 2009, John and Dee (now his wife) decided to open the Studio One RI Dance Complex, in Lincoln, Rhode Island, to help other students reach their goals and share their passion for dance. John still enjoys teaching and competing with his students and has been awarded the Top Teacher Award in the ProAm category at numerous events. John has participated as a pro in Dancing With The Doctors, since it’s inception in 2014.
Specialties: Country, Ballroom (American Style), West Coast Swing, Wedding Couples, Competitive and Social Dancers.
Joanne Lapierre
Joanne has been with Studio One RI since it opened in 2010. She has studied under prominent national and world master level instructors in Ballroom, West Coast Swing and Country Western dance and after only competing two years on the Country Western circuit, she won the 2000 UCWDC World Championships in Nashville, Tennessee. Joanne also competes in the Pro and Pro-Am categories in Ballroom and West Coast Swing and has been a top place finisher in multiple competitions throughout the United States. She enjoys teaching all levels of students and focuses her instruction on technique and form. Her quiet gentle manner makes her the perfect instructor for new and advanced dancers.
Specialties: Ballroom (American and International),Country Western, West Coast Swing, Latin, Wedding Couples, Competitive and Social Dancers
Jiri Zejda
Jiri began ballroom dancing as a child in the Czech Republic and quickly established himself as a top competitor by becoming the National Champion and representing his home country at the World and European Championships from 2010-2012. At the end of his 2012 pro season, he decided to relocate to the United States and become a full time ballroom dance instructor.
Since moving to the Boston/Providence area, he has created a successful youth ballroom development program, with several of his students winning the US National Champions in the Junior and Youth categories. He also enjoys teaching and competing with adult students and placed 2nd and 4th in the Pro/Am category at the 2016 US National Championships.
Specialties: International and Standard Ballroom, Latin, Wedding Couples, Competitive and Social Dancers.
Efrosyni Iosiphidis
As a United States amateur competitor, Efrosyni won many championship titles that included the prestigious Ohio Star Ball and was a USA Dance Nationals finalist in American Smooth, Rhythm, International Latin, 9-Dance and 10-Dance. She also represented USA Dance at the 2008 World S1 Latin Championships in Barcelona.
Upon retiring from active competition, Efrosyni has continued to support amateur dancing by holding multiple positions in the Rhode Island Chapter of USA Dance, Inc. and as the National Director of Administrative Support of the National Chapter of USA Dance, Inc.
Specialties: International and American Ballroom, Latin, Wedding Couples, Competitive and Social Dancers.
Kelly Madenjian
Kelly began dancing in her early 30’s and it quickly became one of her greatest passions. As an amateur competitor, she has won many USA Dance and NDCA titles, including the Amateur USA Dance National Rhythm and Nine-Dance Championship. In addition to her competitions, Kelly has remained an avid social dancer and supports many of the local dances that occur in the New England area.
When not on the dance floor, Kelly spends her time in the classroom, as an adjunct professor in the Athletics Department, at Eastern CT State University. She is also a certified fitness and yoga instructor and a director of SPARK, a children’s summer theater arts program.
Most recently, Kelly expanded her acting career, from the local community theater, and appeared as an extra in two major motion pictures and had speaking roles in multiple nationally televised commercials. She is the proud Mom of two wonderful teenage sons, who also keep her busy!
Specialties: Ballroom (American), East Coast Swing and Wedding Couples.
Nika Shakhmuradova
Nika Shakhmuradova started dancing as a child in Moscow, Russia. After moving to the United States, she joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Ballroom Dance Team. There, Nika studied and learned to compete in Standard/Smooth and Latin/Rhythm dances. After moving to Pennsylvania, she became a member and performer on the University of Pennsylvania Latin and Ballroom Dance Team. Nika continued to work and perform in Ballroom, Latin and Salsa Studios. Nika has been competing and performing in the United States in Ballroom and Latin Dances. Nika is one of the kind teachers who enjoys teaching beginner dancers and doing unique, dynamic, and elegant wedding choreography. In addition to Ballroom dancing, Nika also enjoys Zumba®, other forms of dance, modeling, acting and music.
Specialties: Ballroom, Latin, Wedding Couples, and Social Dancers
