“I’m just pleased that I am a vessel.” That’s how Nikia Manders sums up ten years of pouring her heart into Bermuda Dance Academy. As the academy celebrates its 10th anniversary, Nikia reflects on a journey grounded in faith, passion, and community.
“God has given me a gift, and I feel so blessed to be able to share it with Bermuda — with students, with parents. It’s phenomenal to see how much everyone has grown. Teachers, students, parents — the whole community. Their love and involvement in dance has just been incredible. I’m truly, truly grateful.”
What started as a small initiative sparked by a friend’s encouragement — “If you don’t start her now, you’ll lose her,” he told her about his then four-year-old daughter — has evolved into a vibrant institution. Nikia admits she hesitated at first.
“I was dragging my feet a little, but we got started… and now it’s grown exponentially — more teachers, more students, more impact. That was always my intention: to create a space that aligned with my vision and offered another option for dance in Bermuda.”
Hard Work, Faith, and Vision
Nikia credits the school’s growth to three key ingredients: hard work, dedication, and passion.
“If you have a dream and you stay committed to it, it can grow. And it’s not just about dance — it’s about nurturing talent, developing people, and creating opportunities.”
Indeed, Bermuda Dance Academy isn’t just about dance — it’s about life preparation. The school travels internationally to expose students to competitions and training. But the ultimate growth comes from within.
“In Bermuda, sometimes we don’t realize the level of commitment it takes to really be successful in an art form. I try to instill that in my dancers. If they work hard, stay focused, and develop both their technical and expressive skills, the opportunities will come.”
Beyond the Stage
Though the academy is not explicitly academic-focused, Nikita strongly believes in the intersection of the arts and education.
“Dancers are incredibly hardworking and disciplined. The skills they learn — attention to detail, taking correction, perseverance — they transfer into academics and into life. Dance is the vessel, the catalyst for all the positive changes we want to see in young people.”
No Favorites — Every Dancer Matters
When asked to name a standout student, Nikia gracefully declines.
“I have an amazing group of students. Growing up, kids were often singled out, but the truth is, it’s the ones who want it more than the teacher who go the furthest. I put my energy into helping as many students as I can — and not just them, their parents too. It’s a whole community.”
And that community shows up in full force — from recitals to parades, from dressing rooms to cheering sections.
“We have a great group of dance dads, too! They’re there every Saturday, backstage, at the parades. I definitely won’t forget to shout out my dance dads!”
Looking Ahead: The Future Starts Now
As Bermuda Dance Academy enters its 11th year this September, the future is bright — and the dreams are big.
“We’re really at a point where having our own studio space would allow us to grow to the level we’re aiming for. We’re praying and planning, and we’re trusting that God will provide.”
Get Involved
For parents and students interested in joining:
- Visit BermudaDanceAcademy.com
- Email info@BermudaDanceAcademy.com
- Follow on Instagram and Facebook for recital footage, updates, and registration info.
“Registration isn’t open just yet, but we’ll be announcing soon. Check the website and socials. We’d love to welcome new dancers into our community.”
Congratulations, Bermuda Dance Academy — here’s to the next chapter!
Any content which is considered unsuitable, unlawful, or offensive, includes personal details, advertises or promotes products, services or websites, or repeats previous comments will be removed.
User comments posted on this website are solely the views and opinions of the comment writer and are not a representation of or reflection of the opinions of TNN or its staff.
TNN reserves the right to remove, edit or censor any comments.
TNN accepts no liability and will not be held accountable for the comments made by users.