About Bethlehem Dance Education & Ministry Arts

Bethlehem Dance Education and Ministry Arts was founded in 1991. Victoria Bell, director, has the vision to equip youth in dance and ministry for the advance of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Victoria began teaching dance in 1975 with Nena Swanson. Victoria has trained with masters and mentors in dance. She is certified in Worship Arts Ministry and continues to perfect technique at Ohio State University and Palm Beach Atlantic University. Victoria continues to bring dance and outreach in ministry and missions. Her desire has brought encouragement and training to the States and to Haiti, Bahamas, Middle East, and Scotland. Victoria reaches out in specialized arenas such as prison, refugees, homeschooling, business, and churches. Bethlehem Dance offers ballet, Scottish, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, worship, ballroom, and tumbling.

Dance Classes

• Bethlehem Dance offers lessons in over a dozen styles of dance, including:
  • Ballet
  • Ballroom
  • Cherubs'
  • Hip Hop
  • Jazz
  • Lyrical
  • Modern
  • Pointe
  • Pre-Dance
  • Scottish
  • Sr. Ballet
  • Tumbling
  • Worship Dance
  • Other Classes

Community Events

• We purpose to use stories and movement to teach truths about who God is and what He desires from us. Our goal is to lift up Jesus Christ so that people will be drawn to Him. Bethlehem dancers have performed for schools, festivals, churches, community, Christians in Theatre Arts, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Campus Crusade events throughout Ohio. We seek your prayers as God continues to move us into different areas of ministry.

Mission Trips

• Our seniors have taken the Gospel in dance outreach to Scotland, South Dakota, Tennessee, New York City and Michigan.
• Our director (Victoria) is committed to the goal of teaching dance on every continent. So far, she has traveled to Europe, Central America, South America, the Middle East and will soon be visiting Africa.

Annual Showcase

• Annually, we have a year end program, focusing on biblical themes. During the year, we learn about characters, music, French language, choreography, mime, theory and notation in order to thoroughly equip students for participation in the final production. Additional studies, such as Scottish, Modern and Lyrical, are woven into the end of year program. Throughout the year, we offer the enrichments of attending ballet, ethnic dance, workshops, Scottish Games, Interlochen Arts (for seniors) and opportunities to minister within the community.

Victoria Bell is the director of Bethlehem Dance Education & Ministry Arts. She also teaches Ballet and Scottish Highland. Victoria studied under Nena Swanson of "The Dance Centre" and later assumed the role of Director. She has taught dance for the Marion Recreation Department, Mid Ohio Gymnastics, YMCA, Swanson Academy before founding Bethlehem Dance in 1991. Victoria's students have ministered for schools, churches and the community. She has directed and choreographed the classical ballets and the Bible stories: Exodus, Dream Maker, Only Begotten Son, Still Small Voice, Cleansing the Temple, Creation, Living Water and Noah's Ark. She has also taken senior students to enrichment programs, including Ballet et Columbus, Exclaim Dance Company and dance intensives with Ballet Magnificat in Jackson, Mississippi. She resides in Prospect and desires to honor God by equipping His people to minister with their gifts.

Director, Teacher, Leader in Dance Ministry Arts

• Taught/Trained with Bethlehem Dance, Ballet Met, Charisma Arts, Zion Worship Arts, Swanson Academy, Ballet Magnificat, The Dance Centre, Dancing for Him

Key Contributions:

• Maintained an aggressive schedule of teaching 20-40 youth per week. Classes ran on a 45 minute to 90 minute schedule per session. Coached youth competition teams.
• Created scripting, directed and choreographed original theatrical works and outreaches 25 years.
• Originated, planned, and led youth dance missions 18 years, nationally and internationally.
• Developed curriculum and trained students and teachers in class work, team building, workshops, and evangelism.
• Networked with community leaders in churches, schools, government, and businesses to produce outreaches and local events.
• Volunteered and taught for Bible Study Fellowship International, Child Evangelism Fellowship, Good News Clubs, Junior Church, Sunday School, Marion County Fair, Marion Correctional Institute, and Marion Worship Team.
   

Education & Credentials

• Ohio State University and Marion Technical College- current
• Bible Study Fellowship International 25 years
• Child Evangelism Fellowship 12 years

Certifications Attained:

• Equipping of the Ministry Arts, Zion Worship Arts 2010-2012
• Breakthrough Reconciliation Ministries 2013- 2014
• Child Evangelism -12 years

Recognition:

• Outstanding Community Service –Mayor Scott Schertzer
• Member: Marion Chamber of Commerce