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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Lina Ball unveiled her new dance studio with an open house for students and their families last week.

Bella Dance Academy enters its fifth season this week in a new and improved location in the Kam Lake Area.

Bella Dance Academy owner and instructor Lina Ball opened her new Kam Lake location with an open house for students and their families last week. The dance academy is entering its fifth season, in which hip hop classes seem to be the most popular. - Daron Letts/NNSL photo

The dance school increased its weekly classes from 25 to 36 this year. The classes, which run until next June, will be attended by 330 students.

The new space underwent several renovations, including the installation of a soundproof sprung floor.

Dancers now have two studios to work in, allowing two classes to run concurrently. The new location also features a waiting room. It is much larger than the old location in the Diamond Field Industrial Plaza on Old Airport Road

"It's a perfect space," Ball said. "It's a better setup overall."

The academy also added new classes, such as the class for parents and tots. The youngest student is 16 months old.

Ball teaches the hip hop class which is in its second year. Hip hop is the most popular dance style among high-school-aged students, she said.

The students dance to a top 40 soundtrack. Ball also teaches tap, ballet and a bit of everything except modern dance.

Karen Wasicuna, of Crazy Legs Contemporary Dance, teaches the modern dance classes. Tomiko Robson and Isabel Gauthier lead the ballet classes.

Andrea Nilson teaches the beginner jazz classes. Keri-lyn McLeod and Kaitlyn Vician teach classes for ages five and under.

One adult class is given for male and female dancers of all skill levels. Every four weeks the dancers experience a new dance genre, including modern, ballet, Broadway and jazz.

Students are placed according to age with additional consideration for skill and experience.

"This is the first year that we're doing things a lot more on skill level rather than age so that the kids who have been with us for a long time and have the experience aren't being held back," Ball said.

"We also want to make sure that there is room for beginners of all ages. We want to provide a professional environment for everyone regardless of whether they're going on with dance or not but still keeping things fun in a positive environment."

The students will work toward a year-end performance scheduled for June 4 to 5 at Northern Arts and Cultural Centre.