About Us
Welcome to Active Dansa
A Premier Dance & Performing Arts Academy in Lisburn
Founded in 2017, Active Dansa has grown from a small church hall with just two weekly classes into a thriving dance academy at the heart of Lisburn. Just one year after opening, we proudly established our own studio in the city centre. Thanks to the support of our growing dance family, we moved to a larger, purpose-built facility in 2022 to accommodate increasing demand.
Active Dansa was founded by Mariona Hawkins with a clear vision: to create a school where every student can reach their full potential and have their achievements celebrated.
At Active Dansa, we pride ourselves on delivering rigorous, high-quality dance programs with a professional approach, all within a supportive, caring, and inclusive environment. Our school is more than just a place to dance — it’s a community, a family, and a space where lasting friendships and confidence are built.
We are committed to excellence in dance education. Our dedicated team of experienced and fully qualified instructors continually pursue professional development to stay current with the latest teaching techniques.
Active Dansa is proud to be:
An approved examination centre for bbodance (British Ballet Organization)
A Certified Acrobatic Arts studio
An approved examinations centre for iPath (International Performing Arts and Theatre)
From complete beginners to vocational-level dancers, we welcome students of all ages and abilities. We take time to get to know each dancer and nurture their unique talents, supporting their growth whether dancing for fun or preparing for a professional career in dance or teaching.
We offer inclusive classes for children starting from 30 months old, as well as for teens and adults, ensuring a complete and enjoyable dance experience for everyone. Our Class Offerings Include: Ballet, Introduction to Dance, Modern Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Commercial / Street Dance, Performing Arts (Song & Dance), AcroDance and Dance Technique
Our students have the chance to shine on stage through two annual showcases in December and May/June. We also host a Summer Project, where students can audition to take part in a large-scale musical production.
Additionally, we offer competition and examination opportunities across a wide range of dance styles.
What we stand for. We promise to…
Empower
by believing in every single one of our students and making them believe in their potential. Encouraging a can-do attitude as well as being approachable, providing students a safe place to express their feelings and find the support they need when they need it.
Nurture
our students by promoting dancing not only as a physical activity but as an intellectual and creative development. Applying safe teaching techniques that promote the wellbeing of our students both mentally and physically.
Be passionate
about everything we do and feed this passion to our students. Results are achieved when students dance because they love it, not to be better than anyone else. Every student has their own individual journey, unique and special.
Keep learning
Our teachers are EDUCATORS and we are constantly updating our knowledge to offer a holistic approach to dance training which goes beyond the physical aspect of dance.