Let's Meet our Team
At bellA dance we seek to provide a nurturing environment where every dancer achieves his/her personal best. To that end, every teacher and staff member is invested in your dancer’s happiness and development.
April Bell, Director
About April
Director, April Bell began her dance career as a young girl in Virginia Beach under the direction of Lisa Wallace at Jean Wallace Studios. From a very young age, April knew she wanted to teach dance. As a child, her first students were her younger sisters whom she often forced to perform under her direction. Later, as a teen, April began to teach in earnest as an assistant dance instructor.
In an effort to make her dancing dream a reality, April moved to Philadelphia to attend the University of the Arts where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Education. She studied ballet, jazz, modern, and tap with accomplished teachers Andrew Pap, Ronen Koresh, Ruth Andrien, and the late LaVaughn Robinson. While in college, April served as an instructor at the National High School Dance Festival and was awarded the student teaching award from the University Dance Department faculty. While living in Philadelphia, she performed with Brian Sanders’ Junk Dance Circus at numerous venues in the area and taught for Hatch Dance Company. Additionally, April worked with the National Dance Education Organization on a research project to advance dance education in Washington, D. C.
Continuing her studies, April moved to New York City and danced with Alpha Omega Theatrical Dance Company under the direction of Enrique Cruz DeJesus from 2004-2006. Realizing how much she missed teaching and her family, April came back to Virginia Beach and began teaching tap, jazz, modern, and ballet. One lazy, summer day on the beach, her sisters reminded her that her dream of opening her own studio was within her reach and that it was time to take that leap. Enlisting the help of her family and friends, April poured her whole heart into creating a bright, engaging atmosphere where dancers would love to come every week. Nine years later, April has led bellA dance to multiple awards and public performances and has grown the student population to over 250 dancers. Additionally, developed three cohesive, dedicated dance companies (Junior, Intermediate, and Senior) as well as a Pre-Company which serves as a training ground for young dancers. Every year, new classes are added and new dancers come to experience the passion, discipline, self-confidence, and beauty that April exudes and models for every dancer.
Our Instructors
Valerie Bell McGowan
Valerie Bell McGowan
Valerie Bell McGowan
Valerie Bell is an integral part of the success of bellA dance. She has worked tirelessly to make April, her big sister's dream a reality, and she continues to offer support and leadership in many capacities. She seeks to instill self-confidence, discipline, integrity, and respect in her dancers so that as they grow they become well-round
Valerie Bell is an integral part of the success of bellA dance. She has worked tirelessly to make April, her big sister's dream a reality, and she continues to offer support and leadership in many capacities. She seeks to instill self-confidence, discipline, integrity, and respect in her dancers so that as they grow they become well-rounded individuals. Valerie is also very committed to the idea that bellA dance should offer a sense of family where dancers feel good about themselves and supported by the people around them. She feels that she is continually learning from her students whom she describes as nothing less than “incredible.”
Valerie began dancing at the age of three at Jean Wallace Dance Studio in Virginia Beach. She credits some of her earliest memories, her closest friends, and her sense of self to the art of dance. Her talent was apparent as she became a member of their dance company while still very young which allowed her to perform at many local events and even in Disney World. As a junior and senior in high school, Valerie was the captain of the First Colonial Dance team and served as the team’s choreographer her senior year. She attended Virginia Commonwealth University and was selected to become a part of the VCU dance team. Additionally, she continued her dance studies at the Richmond Ballet during college.
Amber Romano
Valerie Bell McGowan
Valerie Bell McGowan
Amber Romano, a native of Rhode Island, began her classical ballet training at the age of five. Upon graduating high school, she began her professional career with the Nashville Ballet in Tennessee, where she performed for four years. She had the opportunity to perform many corps de ballet and soloist roles, in full-length classical balle
Amber Romano, a native of Rhode Island, began her classical ballet training at the age of five. Upon graduating high school, she began her professional career with the Nashville Ballet in Tennessee, where she performed for four years. She had the opportunity to perform many corps de ballet and soloist roles, in full-length classical ballet productions including; The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Dracula, Peter Pan, and George Balanchine's Serenade. Amber moved to Norfolk, VA in 2016 to work for Todd Rosenlieb Dance and Virginia Ballet Theatre, where she performs classical ballet, contemporary dance, and modern dance repertory. She is also a Co-Director of the Virginia Ballet Theatre Pre-Professional Ensemble, and teaches classical ballet to all ages throughout Hampton Roads.
J. Morgan White
Valerie Bell McGowan
J. Morgan White
A Virginia native, Morgan graduated from Christopher Newport University with a degree in Musical Theatre. After graduating, Morgan performed with TRDance in Norfolk before spending 10 years living in New York City working as a professional dancer and actor at theatres and venues in NYC and across the US. Favorite theatre credits include p
A Virginia native, Morgan graduated from Christopher Newport University with a degree in Musical Theatre. After graduating, Morgan performed with TRDance in Norfolk before spending 10 years living in New York City working as a professional dancer and actor at theatres and venues in NYC and across the US. Favorite theatre credits include productions of West Side Story, Carousel, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Will Rogers Follies, Swing and the national tour of Cats. Morgan came back to Hampton Roads in 2019 and began teaching dance and theatre around the area, including at the Governor's School of the Arts. "To see us dance is to hear our hearts sing."
Hayley Thomas
Valerie Bell McGowan
J. Morgan White
Starting at the age of 2, Hayley always knew dance was going to be her passion. She grew up dancing at Academy of Classical and Contemporary Dance located in Chesapeake, VA and was a member of the Fusion Dance Team, where she traveled up and down the east coast for competitions. In addition to the dance team, she also attend Governor’s Sc
Starting at the age of 2, Hayley always knew dance was going to be her passion. She grew up dancing at Academy of Classical and Contemporary Dance located in Chesapeake, VA and was a member of the Fusion Dance Team, where she traveled up and down the east coast for competitions. In addition to the dance team, she also attend Governor’s School for the Arts where she focused on different modern dance methods in a conservatory setting.
Hayley is also a 2019 James Madison University graduate where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance. Throughout her time at JMU, Hayley was a part of the Contemporary Dance Ensemble where she performed in 16 dance concerts, with 6 of those concerts featuring her choreography.
Even more than performing, Hayley loves teaching and sharing her passion with others. Her favorite part about teaching is watching her students showcase their hard work during recital! Outside of teaching at the studio, Hayley loves playing with her dog, going to the beach & spending time with family.
Allie Pereira
Allie Pereira
Allie Pereira
Alli grew up dancing in Virginia Beach with April and Valerie under the instruction of Lisa Wallace. She graduated from Longwood University and was president of the Longwood Company of Dancers under the direction of Rodney Lee Williams. She coached the First Colonial High School Dance Team for 5 years and has choreographed competition-win
Alli grew up dancing in Virginia Beach with April and Valerie under the instruction of Lisa Wallace. She graduated from Longwood University and was president of the Longwood Company of Dancers under the direction of Rodney Lee Williams. She coached the First Colonial High School Dance Team for 5 years and has choreographed competition-winning pieces for dance teams in Northern Virginia and worked with the dance team at the University of South Carolina - Aiken. bellA dance reminds her of the good ol' Jean Wallace days and her students bring her so much joy!
Lilee Malone
Allie Pereira
Allie Pereira
Born in Virginia Beach, Lilee Malone began dancing when she was four years old. She began her education at Golden Slippers studying classical ballet, tap, and jazz. At six years old she began dancing at bellA dance where she trained under the instruction of April Bell and Valerie McGowan. From April and Valerie, Lilee was introduced to hi
Born in Virginia Beach, Lilee Malone began dancing when she was four years old. She began her education at Golden Slippers studying classical ballet, tap, and jazz. At six years old she began dancing at bellA dance where she trained under the instruction of April Bell and Valerie McGowan. From April and Valerie, Lilee was introduced to hip-hop and modern. When she turned eight years old Lilee was accepted to dance at Old Donation School’s dance program along with being accepted into the bellA dance company. When she was nine she was accepted to dance with The Richmond Ballet in their rendition of The Nutcracker. After she turned fourteen, Lilee auditioned and was accepted into Salem High School’s dance program. She studied under Katherine Flint and Ashley Whitlinger for a year before auditioning for The Governor's School For the Arts where she was accepted. Over the three years she studied at The Governor’s School she was instructed by many teachers including Todd Rosenlieb, Joni Petre-Scholz, Kathy Brenner Lasakow, Janelle Spruill, and much more. During her time at the Governor's School, Lilee was introduced to a multitude of different dance styles and was able to receive classes from ABT, The Boston Conservatory, The Richmond Ballet along with many others. She has been teaching tap, ballet, and jazz classes at bellA dance, and is thrilled to start her second year as an apprentice for the TRDance Company.
Ashlyn Daniel
Allie Pereira
Ashlyn Daniel
Ashlyn Daniel started her dance training at a young age in Sitka, Alaska at Sitka Studio of Dance. Since beginning her training, she has trained at a few different studios across the country over the course of her childhood including, Melinda Leigh Performing Arts Center in Mobile, Alabama, and Denise Wall’s Dance Energy in Virginia Beach
Ashlyn Daniel started her dance training at a young age in Sitka, Alaska at Sitka Studio of Dance. Since beginning her training, she has trained at a few different studios across the country over the course of her childhood including, Melinda Leigh Performing Arts Center in Mobile, Alabama, and Denise Wall’s Dance Energy in Virginia Beach, Virginia. At these studios, Daniel trained in several different styles including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, modern, hip hop, and musical theater. After taking a two-year hiatus from the art form, Daniel left home for her senior year of high school to attend the contemporary dance program at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA). Ashlyn graduated from the high school program in 2018 and decided to stay at UNCSA for college to pursue her BFA. While in training at school, she was given opportunities to perform several works such as Roaratorio by Merce Cunningham, A Choreographic Offering by José Limón, Chronicle by Martha Graham, and Battlefield by Robert Battle. Ashlyn was able to take part in some dance films while attending school including Larry Kegwin’s Waiting in the Wings. Along with performing, she had the opportunity to explore choreographing. Ashlyn’s solo choreography, A Deal with Chaos, has been awarded the “Outstanding Choreographer Award” at the 2019 YAGP semi-finals in Winston-Salem. Since graduating in May of 2021, Ashlyn has been spreading her love and passion for the art of dance with the next generation in both North Carolina and Virginia. Ashlyn is now beyond thrilled to be joining Todd Rosenlieb Dance for another season! .
Deborah Strausbaugh
Deborah Strausbaugh
Deborah Strausbaugh
“Straus” teaches Acro at bellA with her sister Sharon. She moved to Virginia Beach with her family in 1973 with her dad being in the Navy, and competed in gymnastics for Kellam High School. She graduated from Longwood University with a degree in Health and Physical Education K-12, and a minor in dance. While at Longwood she played field
“Straus” teaches Acro at bellA with her sister Sharon. She moved to Virginia Beach with her family in 1973 with her dad being in the Navy, and competed in gymnastics for Kellam High School. She graduated from Longwood University with a degree in Health and Physical Education K-12, and a minor in dance. While at Longwood she played field hockey and competed in gymnastics. She has been a teacher at Kellam High School for years. She is the Head Gymnastics Coach, teaches 9th grade "BioFit", and 11/12th grade PE. It is a joy to have her as part of the bellA dance family with ties that go all the way back to Jean Wallace where her daughter Kirsten started dancing when she was 2 years old. Her love and creativity for Acro is outstanding, and appreciated by her colleagues and students.
Sharon Benzel
Deborah Strausbaugh
Deborah Strausbaugh
Sharon teaches Acro at bellA with her sister “Straus” (Deborah Strausbaugh). The family moved to Virginia Beach in 1973 with her dad being in the Navy. She competed in gymnastics for Kellam High School alongside her sister Debbie. She graduated with a degree from Old Dominion University in Therapeutic Recreation, and started her career wi
Sharon teaches Acro at bellA with her sister “Straus” (Deborah Strausbaugh). The family moved to Virginia Beach in 1973 with her dad being in the Navy. She competed in gymnastics for Kellam High School alongside her sister Debbie. She graduated with a degree from Old Dominion University in Therapeutic Recreation, and started her career with the Virginia Beach Recreation Center before becoming a teacher for Virginia Beach City Public Schools. She teaches PE at Red Mill Elementary and is also the Assistant Gymnastics Coach at Kellam High School. Her ties to dance go back to her time coaching the Jean Wallace Flyers. Sharon loves working with motivated children and seeing their accomplishments throughout the year.