Now Offers 6,300 Square Feet Of World Class Dance Classes

Ribbon-Cutting: The Greater Glendale Chamber of Commerce made the Bella Diva World Dance expansion official with a ribbon-cutting on August 19, 2024.

Last Fall, Bella Diva World Dance learned that The Bookies was leaving Glendale, a space that was occupied kiddie corner from Bella Diva Dance in the same shopping center. Caitlin Brozna-Smith, the owner of Bella Diva World Dance, had always wanted to expand but did not have the capital to do it alone. Brozna-Smith had been renting space to Rachael Harding who teaches kids dance. Together, they decided to embark on the expansion of 4,500 square feet of the available 7,500 square feet.

The space still occupied by Bella Diva World Dance and Communitas is 1,800 square feet. Now, boasting over 6,300 square feet, Bella Diva Dance and Miss Rachael’s Dance have one of the largest dance studios in the Cherry Creek Valley.

The build out took only three months and Brozna-Smith attributes that to the business-

friendly climate in Glendale. “There is no red tape in Glendale,” said Brozna-Smith. “It is much different than Denver. It is much ­easier to operate a business in Glendale.” Bella Diva opened the new space in April 2024. “Right now, we have taken our existing student base and moved them into their new home,” said Brozna-Smith. “They are in love with it. They are able to spread their wings and dance. Now we are trying to let people know we are here. We have this amazing space and community and we want to share it.”

Another advantage Bella Diva World Dance has is ample and free parking. “We are centrally located so it is a great place to serve the needs of our surrounding communities,” says Brozna-Smith. “Our target market is any adult who wants to find a community to be part of. We are not just a fluff and buff fitness class. We have people who have met at our dance studio who are now best friends. They’re also learning about different world cultures. Our students are becoming more global in the way they think.”

Bella Diva World Dance is a Glendale-based international dance company striving to bring the magic of global movement to Colorado women (and men), while also creating a community for their students. They offer a wide range of dance classes (you need to register to attend) and professional shows upon request.

Bella Diva World Dance started in 2010 with Brozna-Smith

Entrepreneurs: Caitlin Brozna-Smith (right) started Bella Diva World Dance in 2010 and opened her studio in Glendale in 2014. She has now expanded into space previously occupied by The Bookies to offer more space for her classes. They share the space with Rachael Harding, owner of Miss Rachael’s Dance (left).

teaching one weekly belly dance & samba class, with the intention and mission to create a safe space for women and girls to enjoy moving in their bodies while learning about various cultures outside their own.

Bella Diva World Dance is now home to 16 faculty members and 150 weekly students from over 25 different countries and it is this community they are most proud of. Bella Diva’s students are the daily proof the vision has come to life. “Our instructors are awesome,” states Brozna-Smith. “I make a big point of it because I am representing so many international and intercultural dance styles. I am very sensitive to the fact that I need to bring in people who know what they’re talking about.”

Over the past 14 years, Bella Diva has continued to grow, building out the first Glendale location in 2014 with Communitas Movement which consists of two dance studios. Today, Bella Diva not only offers weekly Belly Dance and Samba classes, but also offers Bollywood, Bhangra, Polynesian, Persian-Iranian, Hip Hop, Adult Ballet, Brazilian & Middle Eastern Drumming, Tai Chi/Pilates, and Kids’ World Dance.

Bella Diva’s Studio Showcase opportunities, which often feature over 100 students hailing from over 25 different countries, are a microcosm of what the world could possibly look like if we came together to embrace our uniqueness as strengths: a community that exemplifies what it means to be a global citizen.

Mark your calendar for the Resurrection Of The Dancing Dead show at The Oriental Theatre on October 30, 2024 where the Bella Diva group will perform. Also of note, Bella Diva World Dance was voted Denver’s Best Dance Studio by consumers in 2024. For more information and to see the class schedule and prices, visit www.belladivadance.com.