Mission Statement
The Dance Connection Dance Academy's (TDC) mission is to provide young people of diverse backgrounds with an opportunity to train professionally in Classical Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap, African, and Flamenco Dance and Theater Arts by providing a nurturing environment in which students can develop their academic and artistic dreams, with an emphasis on cultural and social awareness, self-discipline, self-esteem, self-determination, and strong work ethics.
-Mission Statement
About Us
The Dance Connection Dance Academy is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit dance organization, founded by Michelle Bell-Blossom in 1989. It was Michelle's vision that her school would be one of the best dance schools in the Los Angeles area. TDC was established to provide prospective students with the highest level of training necessary to launch professional careers in dance and theater arts.
TDC is a diverse multi-cultural dance academy. Our comprehensive programs strive to instill self-esteem, focus, discipline, and to encourage creativity, enabling students to develop to their fullest potential and to excel in their chosen endeavors.
Our instructors are experienced dancers who are affiliated with Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, Dance Theater of Harlem, American Ballet Theater, Joffery Ballet, Kirov Ballet and 42nd Street.
TDC's curriculum includes a full range of dance classes: Ballet / Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Modern / Horton, African, Flamenco, and Acting.
In the past 19 years many of our students have been accepted to Summer Intensive Programs by: The Ailey School, American Ballet Theatre, Dance Theater of Harlem, Kirov Ballet Academy, Noise Funk Tap School, and Jazz Tap Ensemble.
Admission and Placement
Prospective students must take a placement class to be accepted into the Conservatory Programs. Students are placed according to their technical skills, artistry ability and their willingness to adhere to a rigorous course of dance study. All students must attend all classes designed for their level.
Children seven years and younger may take Combo Classes: Pre-ballet, Tap, Jazz and Hip-Hop. Children age seven and older are encouraged to enroll in the Conservatory Program.
Curriculum
The Conservatory offers several levels of dance training, each level utilizing courses of study with defined goals. Students enroll for one year, spending approximately two years of study at each level.
Students will take between 4-12 classes each week. Students are required to take all assigned classes designated for their level. Classes included: Technique, Pointe, Pas de Deux, Modern-Horton, African, Flamenco, Tap, Jazz, Acting and Hip-Hop.
Scholarship
Scholarships are available depending upon funds contributed to the TDC Scholarship Fund. Scholarships are awarded based on artistic merit and financial needs. The Artistic Director and staff will select recipients.
Evaluation
Conservatory students are evaluated twice each year. Parents may call to schedule a conference with the director to review performance evaluations.
Advancement
All advance student placements are recommended by each instructor, and selected by the Artistic Director.
Special Events
The Dance Connection dancers perform in our Annual Holiday Production, "Christmas in the Hood." Recitals are held annually. Each class will perform pieces choreographed by the instructors. The recitals are open to parents, family, friends, and the general public.
Community events are vital to the community. TDC believes in supporting and performing at local community events. We are available upon request.
TDC Competition Teams
Students must audition for participation on the competition team. Competition team members must enroll in the Conservatory Program.
Administration
Executive / Artistic Director
Michelle Bell-Blossom
Business Manager
William Blossom
Marketing Director
Royetta Holt
Office Clerk
Everlois Beard
Parent Volunteers
Beverly Taylor and Chawn Sanders
Modern / African Department
Ron E. Brown
Ballet Department
Eliezer Rabello, Leah Smiley and Alvon Reed
Board Members
Kevin Smith, Royetta Holt, Lisa Whitfield, William Blossom, Michelle Bell-Blossom
Consultant: E.D. Huntington
Faculty
Michelle Bell-Blossom
Artistic Director
Ron E. Brown
Modern / Horton / African
Eliezer Rabello / Leah Smiley / Brittany Blossom / Alvon Reed
Ballet
Jeffery Williams / Leah Smily / Angela Jordan / Brittany Blossom
Tap and Jazz
Brittany Blossom
Hip-Hop
