Dance has always been an enormous part of Lina’s life. Lina Lewis was born and raised on Vancouver Island, where she began dancing at the age of three. She spent most of her childhood and adolescent years in a studio or on a stage where was trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, modern/contemporary, musical theatre and lyrical. She attended the University of British Columbia where she studied Kinesiology, and later received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Waterloo. In 2003, Lina made the journey to the North and planted her feet firmly in Yellowknife founding Bella Dance Academy, where she ran the studio and taught many styles of dance for over a decade. She has had the opportunity to be inspired by and a part of many dance companies and collectives and worked alongside numerous world-renowned choreographers. She constantly networks with other studio owners, choreographers and dance instructors across North America. Lina is an Associate Member of the Canadian Dance Teachers Association in Ballet, Modern, and Stage (Tap, Jazz and Acrobatic Dance) and is also a Registered Acro Dance Teachers Association (ADTA) Instructor. Although Lina has recently followed her heart back to the west coast, she is still very much invested in the North and is passionate about staying infused in the Northern culture and community, while also building bridges of connection for performers, dancers, and instructors in the North.  Lina is forever thankful to those who have shaped, inspired, challenged, taught and supported her throughout her life and dance career. Lina thoroughly enjoys being an active member of the dance community, and works hard to ensure that each and every student leaves the studio with a spring in their step and confidence under their wing. She believes that every student has unique strengths and through dance, movement and music, teaches her students to embrace their own beauty and love who they are – strengths and weaknesses.