BAPA: Broadway Academy of Performing Arts & Events Center

Broadway Academy of Performing Arts and Event Center occupies 6,000 square feet on North Broadway in Knoxville, split across three studios: the Red Studio (2,400 sq ft), Gold Studio (2,400 sq ft), and Green Studio (800 sq ft). The space is designed for both teaching and hosting events, with acoustics described as fantastic for bands or DJs.

The class roster spans children's and adult instruction across multiple disciplines. For children, you can find Creative Ballet Movement, Choreography, Ballet/Creative Movement for ages 8+, and Intermediate Ballet/Creative Movement. The studio also teaches Bellydance at three levels—Children's Bellydance (taught by Shahira), Beginner Bellydance, and Advanced Bellydance, which covers choreographies created by classic masters and ethnic ensemble pieces using the Ibrahim Farrah method.

Adult and mixed-age classes include Hoop Dance (6-week series, suggested for ages 9+), NIA (a 30-year-old fitness practice combining dance arts, martial arts and healing arts, taught barefoot with no experience necessary), Heel Hop Fitness, BUTI Yoga in several formats (BUTI, HOT BUTI heated sessions, BUTI101 for beginners, and BUTISCULPT), Dancing For Birth™ (pre- and postnatal dance classes), and Belly Dance with DancerAndDrummer (traditional Arabic style with live drumming). Hip-hop is also taught, choreographed by Greg Carney for beginning through mastery levels. Improvisation is offered by Paul Simmons, who has performed for over 21 years and taught improvisation for over 15 years.

The instructional team includes Cynthia Turnage (Shahira), Artistic Director, who has studied Middle Eastern dance in New York City with Ibrahim Farrah for 25 years, performed across the US, Canada, Europe and Egypt, and directed Troupe Hyetti since its formation in 1979. Greg Carney ("Mr. G") teaches hip-hop and has competed nationally, placing 1st at Who Can Dance in Cincinnati, 5th at the Florida Spring Break Dance Off, and reaching the top 100 finalists for Beyoncé's World Tour. Emily Bryant is a certified Nia Technique Instructor trained in May 2014. Carrie Bull is a 200-hour RTY BUTI Yoga Instructor trained under BUTI founder Bizzie Gold in 2015. Angela Hill holds a BFA in Dance Education from Arizona State University, has taught dance for over 20 years, is a Certified Dancing For Birth™ Instructor, and also practices as a Certified Rolfer™ and Craniosacral Therapist. Claire Metz Fenner has performed at Bonaroo, TribalCon, TribalCafe and Elevation Dance Festival; formerly a core member of Gypsy Hands Tribal Belly Dance Troupe, she now performs with Shadhavar Belly Dance and other companies, and has taught Poi since 2005 and Tribal Fusion Belly Dance since 2007. Gabriella Muglia became Buti Certified in June 2016 under Lead Master Trainer Tara Winterhalter in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The venue hosts dance and theater shows, auctions, Christmas parties and other events. You can rent one studio or the entire space depending on your needs. The facility includes tables and chairs for over 100 guests in the rental pricing. Licensed caterers are welcome, and you can have a bar with a bartender holding an ABC card. Free parking is located behind BAPA on Lamar Street.

Call or text the studio for class information. The studio operates multiple studios of varying sizes and hosts classes throughout the week across numerous dance and movement disciplines. Free parking is available behind the building on Lamar Street.

The faculty includes Cynthia Turnage (Shahira), Artistic Director with 25 years of study in Middle Eastern dance with Ibrahim Farrah; Greg Carney, an accomplished hip-hop performer and choreographer; Emily Bryant, certified Nia Technique Instructor; Carrie Bull, 200-hour RTY BUTI Yoga Instructor; Angela Hill, BFA in Dance Education with over 20 years teaching experience; Claire Metz Fenner, Poi teacher since 2005 and Tribal Fusion Belly Dance teacher since 2007; Gabriella Muglia, Buti Certified instructor; and Paul Simmons, improvisation performer and teacher for over 15 years.

NIA welcomes all bodies and requires no dance experience; BUTI101 is designed for newcomers to BUTI Yoga; Beginner Bellydance invites those starting their journey; and Greg Carney teaches hip-hop from beginning aerobics level onwards.