Djana Bell (Artistic Director)
As Artistic Director of Norma’s Academy of Dance for over three 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’ horizons.
Constantly challenged to meet the quality standards already set in motion by her mother, the school’s founder, Ms. Bell continues 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.
In 2018, Ms. Bell was named Dance Teacher of the Year by Dance Teacher Magazine!
eRIN rAWLINGS (aRTISTIC director)
As artistic director of Norma’s Academy of Dance, Erin is passionate about the impact dance training can have on a child’s development and personal growth. From instilling confidence and the importance of structure, dance lessons are truly life lessons that are transferable to any career a student may choose to pursue. Erin's approach aims to aspire young artists to reach their fullest potential and to exceed any limits they place on themselves. Erin received her foundation from Norma’s Academy of Dance and then went on to attend Interlochen Arts Academy, a performing arts boarding school in Interlochen, Michigan. She received her BFA in Dance from University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. Erin has performed with City Springs Theatre Company in productions of In The Heights and CATS the musical, directed by Tony Award award winner Baayork Lee. She is also an ABT Certified Instructor (Pre-Primary- Level 3).
Karla Loucas
Karla Loucas is a native of Atlanta, Georgia and started dancing at the tender age of 3. She became a part of the Norma's Academy of Dance family at the age of 5. She attended North Atlanta High School and was a part of the award winning Performing Arts Magnet Program. During the summer before her senior year of high school, she was selected to participate in the Governor's Honors Program as a dance major where only a select few of Georgia's best students are chosen. After high school she attended the Extraordinary Institution that is North Carolina A&T State University. While majoring in Business Marketing she was the Captain of the Basketball Dance team for 2 years.
After graduating, Karla found herself back in Atlanta and a strong desire to get back in the dance studio. The opportunity presented itself when the Director of NAOD, Djana Bell, was in need of a teacher. Karla was more than eager to rejoin her family at Norma's Academy and give the gift of dance that was given to her at a very early age. While at Academy, Karla teaches several dance forms such as Ballet, Tap and Jazz. She also assists with the Norma's Academy of Dance Performance Ensemble. Karla enjoys every moment of teaching dance at Norma's Academy and she looks forward to more years to come.
Xavier DeMar
Xavier DeMar is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana, Xavier DeMar is a New York based dancer, performing artist, choreographer and dance educator. Xavier began dancing at an early age as a member of his family’s West African drum and dance company, Xangue. After beginning to train in classical ballet at the age of 12, he was afforded a scholarship to attend Jordan Collage Academy of Dance, an affiliate of Butler University.
He began his professional career with The Georgia Ballet, where he performed lead roles in Sleepy Hollow and the company’s Nutcracker Suite. Xavier has danced and choreographed for various dance companies and organizations, including Dance Canvas, The Atlanta Dance Connection, and Proia Dance Project. He has performed the works of noted choreographers Alexander Proia, Becca Shade, Allyne Gartrell, Lonny Davis, Tracey Vogt, and Richard A. Freeman, Jr.As a choreographer, Xavier recently moved to New York City to fulfill his dream of becoming a full-time performing artist and choreographer but has moved back to Atlanta due to the pandemic and is excited to be back enriching the young artists of the future.
Piqué
Patrick “Piqué” Smith - artistically known as "Piqué"--hails from Little Rock, AR. He received a B.A. in Music from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Piqué’s early dance training began while at Horace Mann Arts/Science Magnet and later as a member of the Tidwell Project Dance Ensemble--under the direction of C. Michael Tidwell. Piqué's professional dance experience(s) include performing as a guest artist with Déka Dance, Happy Nía Dance Theatre, Beckel’s Dancing Company, The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, Allen Civic Ballet, Ursula, Inc., Darryl Foster’s: LIFT with Stephan Reynolds and Allyne D. Gartrell, as well as the role of Snow King in Tolbert City Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”. Piqué was a member of Dallas Black Dance Theatre II where he also served as Rehearsal Assistant. While with DBDT II, he performed the works of BaBa Chuck Davis, Allyne D. Gartrell, Christopher L. Huggins, The Lion Kings'- Ray Mercer, Derrick Minter, Nycole Ray, Dianne M. Grigsby and Cleo Parker Robinson.
Piqué has contributed musically for several choreographic works and plans to continue artistic collaborations within both the music and dance idioms. In 2010, Patrick received the Director's Award for Outstanding Service from Dallas Black Dance Theatre II. As a founding member of Atlanta Dance Connection, he served as rehearsal director and company Horton instructor.
Jeffery Duffy
Jeffery Duffy received his BFA from The Juilliard School. He has instructed dance locally, nationally, and internationally. Consultant at New York University’s School of Professional Studies, Pebblebrook High School, Braswell Arts Center in Basel, Switzerland; MOVE(NYC), Spelman College, Atlanta Ballet School, Lou Conte Dance Studio, Central Gwinnett High School, and Eglevsky Ballet. National Tours: Charles Lee in HAMILTON (Hollywood Pantages Theater); Ensemble Swing: HAMILTON (CIBC Theater); Choreographer: First Deep Breath (National Black Theater) written by Lee Colston. Fight Choreographer: The Color Purple (Byers Theater). TV and Film: A Jazzman’s Blues (Netflix), Fox New Year’s Party with Steve Harvey. Princess Grace Fellowship Recipient; Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Certified GYROTONIC® Instructor.
Xavier Wilcher (Enrichment & yaa hIP hOP iNSTRUCTOR)
Dancer, Choreographer, and Actor are all credits on Xavier Wilcher’s extensive resume. Xavier “Professor X” Wilcher is one the most highly respected and requested entertainers in thebusiness today. Xavier is very unique in the dance industry. His versatility in skill and technique makes him stand out in an industry full of talent. Xavier is well known for his signature hip hop style and his extensive training as a competition dancer in traditional genres of dance such as Tap, Jazz, Modern, Ballet, and Contemporary.
He has worked with some of the most influential and sought after choreographers in the business, including Fatima Robinson, Laurie Ann Gibson, Jamal Sims, Todd Sams, Flii Stylz, Aakomon Jones, Jamaica Craft, Sean Bankhead, Jaquel Knight, Dondraico Johnson, and many others. Xavier has also had the privilege to share the stage/screen with artist such as Sean Combs, Usher, Jason Derulo, Missy Elliott, Neyo, Ludacris, Black Eyed Peas, Flo-Rida,Tinashe, Kendrick Lamar, and Pharrell just to name a few. Most recently Xavier has had his focus on being on the big screen. He has been blessed with the opportunities to work in front of and behind the camera as choreographer and dancer for several productions such Star on Fox Season 1-3, American Soul Season 1, Step Up: High Water Season 1, The Wiz Live, Stomp The Yard 1 ; 2, Coming 2 America, Black Panther 2, Doom Patrol, The Game, And The Color Purple.
Tre McClendon (YAA Tap Instructor)
Tre McClendon, a native Atlanta resident, was born to W. Oliver and Denise McClendon. Being the son of the owners of McClendon School of Dance, Tre has been surrounded by dance his entire life. Taking his first class at the age of 2, dancing was instilled as an important foundation in his life. He starting teaching his first classes at the age of 16 at McClendon School of Dance and since then has taught at workshops, arts centers, and dance schools all over the metro-Atlanta area. Tre is a graduate of Morehouse College, majoring in Computer Science. While in school, he continued to pursue his tap career. Tre helped create and now performs in a tap show that teaches children the origins of tap dancing in America. This show called Beat and Rhythm: The Evolution of Tap has gone into more than one hundred elementary, middle, and high schools all over the state of Georgia. His ultimate goal is to become one of the premier tap names in America.