Harper&I Dance Center

Specialties

Harper&I offers classes for all ages and all levels. Styles offered include ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip-​hop and more. The company strives to fuse the gap between the arts and often collaborates with other artists to provide the community with an all-​encompassing performance. H&I takes a multi-​dimensional approach to the art of dance instruction and students have the opportunity to attend class for pure recreation or to develop a more professional technique that can be taken out into the world of dance. Our dance curriculum involves research and knowledge from an athletic standpoint with injury prevention and safe dancing as a key ingredient to how dance and movement are approached. Within its first year Harper&I produced three performances, brought in eight guest instructors/​dancers and collaborated with more than 15 other artists and organizations. We focus on health, happiness and helping you find your inner dancer.

History

Established in 2012.

Harper&I was founded in 2012 when Stephanie Harper was inspired to create a safe haven for dancers, artists and movers alike. Harper developed the company with a few things in mind: Dancers needed a positive, encouraging atmosphere that both challenged and inspired them to strive to reach their goals in the dance world and outside of it, thousands of artists call Bellingham home and it would be beneficial for all if these artists could find opportunities to present their work in new ways and dancers needed to be educated on the very essence of athleticism and movement and become exposed to new methods, research and opportunities. Harper&I was also developed to work with outside organizations to bring dance into the lives of underprivileged youth and will continue to develop similar programs. Harper&I is essentially a home for everyone and anyone who enjoys dance and movement.

Meet the Business Owner

Stephanie H.

Business Owner

Stephanie Harper is the Artistic Director and Owner of Harper&I. She has more than sixteen years of dance experience and holds a B.A. in Dance from Western Washington University. Though a ballerina at heart, Stephanie has found a deep love for Modern and Hip Hop and enjoys traveling and teaching for multiple studios around Washington State. Harper takes a unique approach to dance instruction that focuses on safe learning and consistent development of technique. Stephanie’s approach to dance is unique, effective and ever-​developing as a result of research, communication and experience. But mostly… it’s because of her love for the art!