What is the Mission of Tha Realm Dance Studio?

 

To create and cultivate a space that embraces and encourages dancers to  discover and develop themselves and thier Art.   Focusing on the importance of knowledge and technique for each style of bellydance  is key for both  Instructors and dancers of Tha Realm; technique leads to freedom of dance expression.  All bellydance classes are based and are developed around a strong understanding and execution fo bellydance technique,  fun and diverse choreography  and the elements for  performance training.

 

Tha Realm is a space where all those who enter its doors are encouraged to take the time to Reconnect with themselves, Reclaim who they are and Rebirth into a new path through Bellydance.   Dancing by  "In  a  world where you can be anything, be your yourself"  which is more than a tag sticker on a wall, but a moto.  

 

Dancers, seasoned or just taking their first steps, are provided an environment to feel safe and secure to let their guards down and dance it out.   Join us wont you!

 

 

Who's behind Tha Realm?

Hi!  I am Nicci, I am the Owner and Creative Director of Tha Realm Dance Studio; but I am more than that, I am a forever a student, a dancer, a performer, an instructer and choreographer; oh and the crazy woman behind Tha Realm Dance Studio.  When I took my first class in 2007 I had no idea of just how deeply Bellydance and the passion for it would impact my life.  Bellydance truly changed my world.    

 

Bellydance has been an unexpected life journey that has taken me from being strictly a student who "would never perform" to a performer who "isn't doing this to teach", to a teacher who wrote a dream on a board and is now blessed to share it each week with dancers discovering thier Bellydance story.   My desire to "do something different" has taken me on an adventure of self discovery that I could have never imagined and it continues to do so.   What adventure will Bellydance take you on?  

 

Raks Sharqi Bellydance  with  Nicci                American Tribal Style Bellydance with Rhiannyn                    

 

 

Why call it Tha Realm?

 

When I first began working with the my troupe mates, Tha Fae Bellydance, we would refer to my small home studio as   "Tha Realm" our  place where we as developing dancers and artists  felt safe, felt free to play.   Then as time passed we began realizing, 'in order to grow as a dancers, artists, performers and eventually instructors one must push themselves out side their realm of comfort'.    I believe that in life we are constantly pushing our own boundaries or "realms of comfort" and thus we have a place that is both safe and challenging in our growth.  So, when I was given this opportunity to open our first location, it only seemed fitting to call it  Tha Realm Dance Studio. 

 

What led you to open Tha Realm?

 

At somepoint in this crazy dance journey, I realized that my love for Bellydance was moving beyond just doing it for myself and I really wanted to share it on a different level.   That I wanted to share this thing that had changed personal outlook,  my body and  my life so deeply and wanted to do so by  teaching.  When I was contemplating if I was ready to begin teaching a mentor asked me "Why do you want to teach?" and my instant reaction "Because I must!" it seems like a silly answer but it was raw and instant... from the heart..  So I opened my small home studio to public classes and  the first Realm Dance Studio was born, I never imagined where it would lead me next.

 

Well it led to Tha Realm 2.0 where we spent 2012-2014 cultivating "Abbotsford's Home for Bellydance" in Historic Downtown Abbotsford at our Essendene Location.  Time at  this space was filled with  amazing milestones from our first theater show Beyond Tha Realm featuring Sharon Khira to Student Soirees, Community Events and more!  Oh and we had some great bellydance classes too!

 

Come Fall of  2014 we transform once again as we move to our current home, Tha Realm Dance Studio 3.0 on George Ferguson Way.   This past year at Realm Studio 3.0 has been and amazing year!  This year dancers of Tha Realm had the opportunity to facilitate and participate in some amazing events inviting in and involving within the community to experience the Diversity and Art of Bellydance.   From the Art & Wine Walk to our theater show A Few of Our Favorite Things, from the annual Berrybeat Festival to Fraser Valley Pride, from a spotlight showcase at the The Reach Art Gallery's creatiValley Celebration of Culture to the Abbotsford Business Excellence Awards; our passion for this dance was shared and felt by all that saw it.  Who knows what 2016 will bring but stay tuned!!! 

 

My vision/goal/mission for Tha Realm, wherever it may be,  is for it to be creative, safe, inspiring, collaborative space where dancers of ALL walks of life and ability come together to share and inspire through dance.  Where the heartbeat of the space roots in Bellydance and is inspired by ALL world and modern dances.  Where the dances of Tribes, Folklore and History are shared and cultivated; where modern dance takes on these ancient dances.  Where ever evolving dance, is ever evolving.   

 

A place where barefoot dances rule. 

 

How can I be a part of Tha Realm Dance Studio?

 

All classes at Tha Realm are Independently run.

 

Are you a Dance Instructor, Dancer or Troupe looking to rent space for teaching and or personal practice?   Are you a Yoga, Zumba or Pilates Instructor looking for a new location?  Are you a photographer looking for space to shoot in?   If yes, Tha Realm may just be the fit for you.  Tha Realm Dance Studio currently has day time and weekend hours open for rental.

 

 

We would like to have the walls of Tha Realm Dance Studio brimming with the sounds and passion of dancers at work.  Contact Nicci at tharealmdancestudio@gmail.com
for information on rates for hourly, weekly and monthly rates.

 

Visit the "Studio" page for Studio images and descriptions