Today we’d like to introduce you to Djana Bell.
Hi Djana, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I won’t say it’s my story alone but the story and legacy of Norma’s Academy of Dance. Norma’s Academy of Dance is metro Atlanta’s longest-standing African American founded dance studio. Established in 1972 by my mother, the late Norma B. Mitchell, the Academy serves as a haven for young artists to train and learn a multiplicity of genres in the arts. We are a technique-based studio offering a well-balanced, comprehensive dance education in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop, Contemporary, and Lyrical for students ages three and up. After my mother’s untimely death in 1985, I took the reins and carried the torch of her legacy serving as the Artistic Director of the Academy for the past 37 years. Continuing with the legacy set in motion by my mother and the support of the arts community, the doors of the studio remain open. With tenacity, fortitude, and faith, I am determined to continue the vision of empowering, inspiring, and igniting talent in young artists in Atlanta no matter the challenges.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
No, it has not been a smooth road. In the words of Langston Hughes, “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.” My grandmother said that to me often. The challenges of taking over a family arts business in the early 70’s at 20 years old were immeasurable. I had clients that were three times my age, and they questioned whether or not I had it in me to continue to run the business. At the time of my mother’s death, I was a dance major at Florida State University and had to make the decision to leave school and come home to continue the business. Can you imagine making a decision like that at 20 years old? My grandmother was the office manager at the time and an ordained minister, so you know we did a lot of praying. When you pray, God answers!! So the decision was made and I felt in my spirit that it was the right one. There were so many obstacles along the way: financial, personal and the inability to always feel supported by your community. But when you are working in your purpose, none of that interferes with your trajectory. God had a bigger plan and it has been a very rewarding journey.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Norma’s Academy of Dance provides a sustainable pipeline of budding artists in the mainstream of the arts to prepare them for the collegiate experience, Broadway, or a professional career filled with discipline and confidence. We are responsible for artists who have gone on to perform on multi-level platforms in the arts ranging from touring the world internationally with Michael Jackson to performing with major dance companies like Philadanco, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and Whim Whim. They have also received dance scholarships to summer intensives with Dance Theatre of Harlem, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, and the Joffrey Ballet as well as been exposed to a myriad of opportunities in the arts and entertainment industry. This is because Norma’s Academy of Dance has made an indelible impact on their artistic foundation. At Norma’s, we believe that dance lessons are life lessons because they truly prepare our students for any career they may choose. For more than four decades, the sea of artistic achievements experienced by students have not only proven the viability of Norma’s Academy but also confirmed the relevance of shaping the arts and entertainment industry with the pipeline of artists that Norma’s Academy of Dance provides.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
COVID-19 was one of the most unpredictable and unforeseen challenges of my business. In March 2020, I was forced to close my studio for several months. I had to reassess, reorganize and reposition my business in order to provide a safe place for students to continue their dance training. I realized that minority families suffer when their community businesses suffer due to the mutually beneficial reliance and stability that the business and the community shares. I was inspired when parents inquired about supporting the dance studio not only because of the children missing their classes but because a small business was in jeopardy of being closed because of an uncontrollable occurrence. To adjust to our new norm, we implemented a virtual class platform via Zoom, transitioned to a hybrid curriculum, and eventually progressed to full in-person classes by enforcing smaller class sizes and social distancing. We even had a Covid crew of parent volunteers that sanitized the dance equipment in between classes and enforced all other protocols. Overall, there was a collaborative spirit of support experienced that will forever be a part of the resilience of Norma’s Academy of Dance. Although the impact of COVID-19 was detrimental and devastating causing my faith to waver, the community refused to see the Norma’s Academy of Dance close its doors.
Pricing:
- 3-6 year old combination class per week $65 per month
- 1 hour class per week $60 per month
Contact Info:
- Email: normasacademyofdance@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.nadance.com
- Instagram: nadance72
- Facebook: Norma’s Academy of Dance
Image Credits
Shocphoto ( Dance Photographer) Damese Bell Tamieka Geter
