B'Ella Ballerina Dance Academy, founded in 2014 by Roneisha Smith-Davis, a native from the North Philadelphia Community, and a resume of 27 years of experience in the art of dance. We are a Non-Profit organization that offers a comprehensive dance curriculum to students ages two and up. BBDA, is commited to educating and training students in the art of dance. Through classes, dance history, performance opportunities, students from Tiny Tots - Beginners to Advanced will learn various aspects of dance including technique, choreography, proper etiquette, terminology and musicality.
Roneisha's vision has always been to capture our youth, and bring the arts into the North Philadelphia community. My gift has ALWAYS been the children, from babies, to toddlers, to young adults. She prides her program on creating opportunities through the art of dance that most children wouldn't be able to experience on their own. Since opening her students have traveled to perform in Walt Disney Worlds Epcot Theme Park, aboard the Carnival Cruise Ship traveling to Jamaica & Grand Cayman Islands, center court at the Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia 76ers game, three years in a row, just to name a few.
THE IMPACT OF COVID-19
BBDA has had to cancel its future public programs, close its dance academy and stop its BBDA Dance education program, sources of support, ending the majority of the academy’s activities and cancelling traveling competitions, back in March. Our students, live in the studio, some of them come here for more than just "Dance". So when we were finally able to open, under new restrictions, guidelines, mask, social distancing and less class sizes, it was somewhat a sign of relief. This moment of excitement, was short lived as we are now facing a second wave and being forced to CLOSE again for what they are saying is "another six weeks". This year alone we have been SHUTDOWN longer than we have been open and operating. Rent was still occurring, bills were still being required and costumes, were still arriving for a show that would not be happening.
Please consider making a gift to keep us moving.
We rely on you, our patrons, to help us continue offering our youth:
Dance/Performing Arts Instructions
The necessary funding to keep our building our home
The funding to perform, and participate in different dance clinics/workshops, and competitions both locally & nationally
Resources/Workshops for Youth and Parents about the Performing Arts.
Mentoring program for young women, struggling with all that society has to offer.
Where every brown ballerina, is taught to believe they are beautiful inside & out! The life lessons taught in each class, go far beyond a 5,6,7,8... for we are more than a Dance School, we are FAMILY!