"The only dancer you should compare yourself to is the one you used to be."

Martha Graham, American dancer & choreographer

Who We Are

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Located in the heart of Lafayette, Oregon, Hamel Dance Academy is a professional dance program, specializing in the instruction of children from ages 3 years and up. Classes are taught by founder, Christine Hamel, a 43-year veteran of dance. The mission of Hamel Dance Academy is to provide exceptional training and a personal focus to each student while remaining affordable. The diverse curriculum is grounded in a classical approach and includes ballet, contemporary dance, pointe, tap and creative movement.

 

 

 

What We Do

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Hamel Dance Academy is a full-fledged, year-round dance program that teaches a range of styles utilizing best practices. Emphasis is placed on exceptional training and technique. With small classes and an innovative curriculum the instructor is able to provide a personal focus to each and every student.

 

 

Why Hamel Dance?

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If you are going to invest time and resources into your child’s training choose a studio that truly cares. Hamel Dance Academy brings experience, talent and compassion to the instruction of each student. Founder Christine Hamel firmly believes that the opportunity to dance should be affordable yet is committed to an environment that prioritizes exceptional training and individualized attention for each dance student. The results are undisputed.

Here’s what graduate Emily Rapp has to say about her experience at Hamel Dance Academy:

“During my training at Hamel Dance Academy I didn’t just learn to dance I learned how to express myself. Christine first taught me when I was five years old. Eleven years later, I realize how blessed I am to have learned from such an amazing, knowledgeable teacher. She gave me the foundation I needed to be the best I can be in dancing, and for life. From learning first position to trying on my first pair of pointe shoes, she has been there for me as she is for all of her students. Christine doesn’t just run an academy, but brings children of all ages together and helps them grow in their love for dance through her passion to teach and inspire. This past summer I attended the Joffrey program in New York City on a full scholarship. Now I’m training as a pre-professional with The Portland Ballet, but I wouldn’t have made it here without her guidance and unending support.”
~ Emily Rapp (below)
former Hamel Dance Academy student

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Port de Bras

These lovely Pre Ballet students beautifully incorporated port de bras (arm movements) during their dance to an excerpt from Mozart’s  Salzburg Symphonies at the 2015 spring concert.

Sleeping Beauty

In the past year, three of our Ballet IV students have started pointe work along with their ballet technique classes. Within the curriculum of their pre pointe/pointe training, they have learned several variations from Sleeping Beauty as derived from the original works of Petipa, a famous French ballet master and choreographer during the late 19th century.

All Aboard!

The Tap II class delighted audiences with their expressive performance to “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.”

I’ve Been Working on the Railroad

The intermediate tap class dazzled audiences with their thrilling rendition of “New River Train” combing their tap technique with floor work and a hoe down sequence.

Wipe Out

Shuffling with lots of style into summer break, the Tap I Class performed to “Wipe...

Ballet Mozart Style

During the 2015 spring concert, students performed a thematic ballet choreographed to excerpts from Mozart’s Salzburg Symphonies. One of the pieces featured a dance centered around a masquerade. The students wore exquisite hand-painted carnival masks from Italy which certainly captured the aura of colorful festivities.

Open Door

The Tap IV class charmed the audience with their whimsical rendition of “Love is...