bellA dance
Ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip-hop and acro for ages 3 to adult in Virginia B…
bellA dance offers a broad range of styles for dancers from age 3 through adulthood.
Photo: bellA dance via Google
Before your first class
The studio welcomes beginners of all ages and offers a free trial class for new students; instructors emphasise creating a nurturing, supportive environment where every dancer can discover their passion.
Hair must be pulled back and secured in a ponytail or bun.
Come dressed in proper attire for your class style: leotard, appropriate tights and shoes (specific to your style).
Summer (6 weeks): $68 for 45 min, $90 for 1 hour, up to $309 for one unlimited student (plus $115 per additional unlimited).
About this studio
bellA dance offers a broad range of styles for dancers from age 3 through adulthood. The studio teaches ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, modern, hip-hop, and acro, with classes organised by age and experience level. Young children (3–5 years) start with a ballet and tap combo class designed to build motor skills and confidence in a supportive setting. Dancers aged 6–8 can explore multiple genres, while 9-year-olds to teens have access to flexible, à la carte class options as well as more intensive company training. For adults, the studio runs a tap class and a rotating dance and workout class that cycles through ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and modern.
The studio runs a structured year-round programme from September through June on a 10-month calendar, plus a 6-week summer session (July 7–August 13) with afternoon and evening classes Tuesday to Thursday. Summer rates are calculated by contact hours per week, ranging from $68 for a 45-minute class to $309 for one unlimited student, with additional unlimited students at $115 each. Regular-season tuition is due the first of each month, and the studio offers sibling discounts and discounts for students taking multiple classes.
Director April Bell founded bellA dance 16 years ago and has grown the student population to over 200 dancers. She studied dance at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Education, and later danced with Alpha Omega Theatrical Dance Company in New York City under Enrique Cruz DeJesus from 2004–2006. The teaching staff includes Hayley Kindred, a 2019 James Madison University graduate with a degree in Dance who performed in 16 dance concerts and choreographed for six of them; Valerie Bell McGowan, April's sister, who has been instrumental in building the studio and danced with Richmond Ballet during college; Amber Romano, who performed principal roles with Todd Rosenlieb Dance and Virginia Ballet Theatre companies for four years and has been on faculty at The Governor's School of the Arts in Norfolk since 2022; and J. Morgan White, a Virginia native and Christopher Newport University graduate in Musical Theatre. The studio has developed three cohesive dance companies (Junior, Intermediate, and Senior) plus a Pre-Company training track.
New students can attend a free trial class. The studio sells dance apparel, tights, and shoes on-site and rents the space for birthday parties. Dress codes are specific to each style: ballet requires pink footed tights and pink leather ballet shoes; tap requires tan or black buckled tap shoes depending on class length; jazz requires black lace-up or slip-on jazz shoes with tan tights; modern allows footless or convertible tights with no shoes or foot-undies; and hip-hop requires black jazz sneakers with any colour tights. Hair must be pulled back and secured at all times. Gum, food, and beverages other than water are not permitted in the studio. The office is open Monday to Friday 4–7pm and Saturday 9:30am–12pm, and the studio is located on the corner of N. Great Neck Road and Mill Dam Road.
What to expect
Your first visit
New students can schedule a free trial class. You'll come in proper dress and shoes for your chosen style, with hair pulled back and secured. Classes are structured by age and level, with instructors who emphasise technique, discipline, and the joy of dance.
Instructors
Who teaches here
The teaching team is led by founder and director April Bell, a University of the Arts BFA graduate in Dance Education who performed with Alpha Omega Theatrical Dance Company in New York. Hayley Kindred is a James Madison University dance graduate who performed and choreographed in 16 dance concerts. Valerie Bell McGowan is April's sister and has supported the studio's growth while dancing with Richmond Ballet. Amber Romano is in her 10th season and brings professional experience from Todd Rosenlieb Dance and Virginia Ballet Theatre, plus faculty work at The Governor's School of the Arts. J. Morgan White is a Christopher Newport University graduate in Musical Theatre.
New to dancing?
What beginners can expect
The studio welcomes beginners of all ages and offers a free trial class for new students; instructors emphasise creating a nurturing, supportive environment where every dancer can discover their passion.
What to wear and bring
Before your first class
Dress code
Hair must be pulled back and secured in a ponytail or bun. Leotards and style-specific tights and shoes required; details vary by class (ballet pink tights and shoes, jazz black lace-up shoes, tap shoes in tan or black depending on class length, modern footless tights and no shoes, hip-hop black jazz sneakers).
What to bring
Come dressed in proper attire for your class style: leotard, appropriate tights and shoes (specific to your style). Hair must be pulled back and secured. Bring your dance shoes in a bag marked with your name. Water is permitted; no gum, food, or other beverages in the studio.
Studio history
April Bell founded bellA dance 16 years ago on the encouragement of her sisters during a summer beach day. She had moved back to Virginia Beach after earning a BFA in Dance Education from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and dancing professionally in New York. With the help of family and friends, she created a bright, engaging studio where dancers would develop passion, discipline, and self-confidence. The studio has since grown to over 200 students and includes three established dance companies.
Gallery
The people, the parties and the dancing here
Pricing
Approximate lesson costs
Class schedule
Weekly classes and workshops
bellA dancehasn't set up a public class schedule yet.
If you own bellA dance, claiming the studio lets you add a public schedule in about 2 minutes. A free Google Calendar is the easiest path — visitors see your class times inline + can add events to their own calendar.
Frequently asked about bellA dance
Quick answers to the most common questions
What dance styles does bellA dance teach?
bellA dance teaches Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, Pointe, Tap, Modern and 2 more. The full list of styles is shown above on this page along with each genre's classes and lesson options.
Where is bellA dance located?
bellA dance is located in Virginia Beach, VA. See the map above for the exact address and one-tap directions.
Does bellA dance offer private lessons?
Contact bellA dance directly to ask about private lessons and current class options — their website has the latest details.
Does bellA dance teach kids and adults?
bellA dance welcomes students of varied ages and experience levels. Contact the studio to learn which classes fit your age group and level.
How do I sign up for classes at bellA dance?
The fastest path is to visit bellA dance via their website or check the class schedule above. Many studios offer a free or discounted intro lesson — contact them directly to ask.