Stephanie Harper, the Artistic Director and Owner of Harper&I Dance Center (“HIDC”) in Bellingham, Washington. Since its beginning, HIDC has been transforming and building upon the very definition of community and collaboration within the Northwest. Located in Bellingham, Washington, their dance studio strives to fuse the gap between the arts through ongoing performance opportunities, weekly classes and collaborations with local artists.
For the child who loves to dance and groove to music, there are classes available to ensure that dance is a fun and valuable part of his or her life. HIDC’s instructors are loving and welcoming, always inspiring and making sure every student leaves class with a smile on his or her face. There are also seasonal performance opportunities for children beginning at two years of age. Performing on stage is one of the most exciting parts about being a dancer!
For the serious dancer, HIDC provides advanced training from different instructors to ensure variety and diversity. Performance opportunities include choreography and the chance to work with various guest artist and instructors.
One way that HIDC is different from other studios is the fact that it is a studio that approaches dance and the art of dance instruction from a multi-dimensional and integrative perspective. Their small class sizes allow students to have one on one attention from their instructor and allow them to flourish and grow within the studio’s walls. HIDC encourages their students to discover who they are as dancers versus trying to reach an image of “perfection” or what a dancer “should be.”
The Ballerina Party includes tutus; Superhero Training includes special tricks and powers and the Hip Hop Hooray party includes break dance moves. What makes these parties really special is the fact that not only is it a unique way to celebrate a child’s birthday, it is a great way to introduce children and the community to the world of dance in a very fun way. Come to think of it, I think I would like one of these dances myself. LOL..
HIDC instructors are not professional dancers. Stephanie also insists on small class sizes so that their students are able to get personal attention and develop on a weekly basis. The result in this type of an environment is outstanding.
Stephanie has had many proud moments but she always seems to tear up when she watches her students dance on stage. It is very difficult to describe the feeling when she watches their self-confidence develop and when she sees them reach their goals and they realize they have reached those goals, but she is so proud of them in those moments.
Stephanie has been teaching for almost 10 years and the biggest mistakes she sees dancers make is their approach to movement itself, particularly in ballet. She believes the approach to a certain maneuver is everything. She says that whether it is a preparation for a turn or something else, if your brain is not ready and geared up for you to execute the movement properly, it will most likely not happen the way you want. Stephanie began teaching dance and observing dance from a very scientific and logical way a few years ago and the results in her own training and her dancers have been remarkable. Of course, they focus on the artistry and the beauty as well, but she believes that cannot come unless the dancer is confident in what they are doing and for them to be confident, they need to understand how to execute a movement and how it can work on their own body.
It wasn’t really Stephanie’s idea to start a dance studio. Several of her students encouraged her to begin her own studio. She said she never would have thought that she could do it. But, a mentor told her, “Well, why not?” Since Stephanie did not have an answer to that question, she opened up the school. It was the craziest and hardest thing she has ever done and to watch it build from the ground up within three years has been quite the experience.
This is HIDC’s third year and Stephanie’s goal is to begin establishing an even stronger curriculum for all levels and classes and to have more performing opportunities for her students. She also wants them to have more chances to have fun through dance!
One of HIDC’s main goals as an educational center for the performing arts is to provide their students with performance opportunities through the community and beyond. HIDC has received numerous requests for performances since they began in 2012 and as a result they are thrilled to announce the formation of a performing company for their 2014-2015 season!
The company will allow students to challenge themselves in new ways and will also allow dancers to feel like a valuable part of the community through their season performances. Company members will have the option to attend dance conventions in Washington or Canada in order to further their dance training and experience. The Company will perform in both seasonal performances (The Nutcracker and Spring show) as well as other miscellaneous events, holiday festivals, sports events, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Ski to Sea, Downtown Sounds and Bite of Seattle.
Members of the Company must be at least 12 years of age and have at least 6 months of training or special permission from the AD (Artistic Director) or CD (Company Director). Also, the dancers must adhere to all studio policies and do their best to commit to performances.
Stephanie says they are a group of passionate, silly people and though they focus on dancing and their classes are challenging, they make sure to have fun. Their performances are truly one huge party and celebration of their achievements as dancers and instructors!
Through dance and movement, Stephanie strives to help students and community members build greater self-awareness and to feel more connectivity within their environment. She is thrilled that HIDC has received so much support in the community and is excited to continue dreaming of ways to make a difference.
HIDC is unique, personal and collaborative. They believe in providing a multidimensional, integrated curriculum that challenges and inspires movers of all ages!
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Harper&I Dance Center or Stephanie Harper.
If you would like more information about Harper&I Dance Center, check them out on their web site at www.harperandi.com. You can also email them at harper&i@hotmail.com or call them at 360-908-1653. And, don’t forget, you can always “Like” them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!
