As Artistic Director of Norma's Academy of Dance for over two decades, Djana Bell is armed with a mission. She has taken the Academy to a world-class level, and continues to seek high-caliber performance opportunities to broaden her students' horizions.

Constantly challenged to meet the quality standards already set in motion by her mother, the school's founder, Bell will continue to broaden the Academy's many offerings so that children who yearn to explore the discipline of dance, and the many parents who appreciate the benefits of providing such important experience to their children, can do so in a loving and supportive environment.

... At Norma's, we keep pursuing and we keep learning.

Objective

To provide the highest quality of instruction to students, pre and professional level dancers, focusing on a strong technical base which will enable the pursuit of professional performance possibilities.   

Professional Experience

• Artistic Director of Norma’s Academy of Dance,  1985 – Present
• Choreographer for The Dekalb Elementary School of the Arts
• Choreographer – Marietta-Roswell  Delta Sigma Theta Alumnae Cotillion  
• Fulton County Arts Council Grant Adjudicator    
• Dream Jamboree – City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office
• WSB Salute to America Parade
• Children’s HealthCare of Atlanta Christmas Parade
• Children’s HealthCare of Atlanta Festival of Trees
• 100 Black Men of Atlanta “Salute to Excellence Parade”

Teaching Experience

• Multilevel instruction in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, and Pointe
• Private instruction in various dance disciplines for individuals, and special groups
• Private pageant coaching
• Develop and teach choreography 
  

Technical Training   

• Florida State University
• Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre
• Ballet Master Robert Christopher 
• Patsy Brombley, Terpsicore Dance
• Christopher Corey, Southern Ballet Theater
• Finis Jhung, Brodway Dance Center
• Arthur Mitchell, Founder Dance Theatre of Harlem 
• Al Gilbert, Al Gilbert Seminars
• Brenda Buffalino, Broadway Dance Center
• Gary Harrison, Terpsicore Dance 
• Ted Levy, "Bring in the Noise, Bring in the Funk"   
  

Awards and Nominations  

• Nominated for Atlanta Business League's “Success Against Odds”
• Under my instruction, trained students have been awarded scholarships to attend Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Dance Theater of Harlem, New York City Ballet, Atlanta Ballet and the Joffrey Ballet Company
• Norma's Academy of Dance Performance Ensemble was a 2005 Recipient of the Young Achievers Trumpet Award, sponsored by the Turner Foundation
• Performance Ensemble was chosen to honor Reverend Joseph Lowery in dance sponsored
  by the Atlanta Business League
• Performance Ensemble performed for the “National Journalist Convention” for President Bill Clinton,  Summer 2005
• Students enrolled and majoring in dance programs at major colleges and universities such as Florida State University, Agnes Scott College, New York University, University of the Arts in Philadelphia and Spelman College
• Students trained at Norma's Academy of Dance have performed for the following major dance companies:  Philadanco, Koresh and Dallas Black Dance Company 

Norma's Academy of Dance — "Give Your Child A Lasting Gift"