For the past seven years, Phoenix Smith has been known around the city as the artistic director at Bella Dance Academy.

But you can add the title of owner to her business cards as she鈥檚 now in charge of the entire operation.

That鈥檚 because Smith has purchased the business from Lina Lewis, the academy鈥檚 founder. The sale went through on Sept. 1, but was only made public this past Saturday.

鈥淭here were a lot of transitions behind the scenes that had to happen, and so we waited until Oct. 1 to announce it,鈥� said Smith.

Lewis founded the academy in 2004 and this is the 19th season of operations.

Smith said the sale had been discussed for quite some time.

鈥淐ovid was a challenge for Lina 鈥� she wasn鈥檛 able to come visit (from Vancouver) as often as she would have liked, so that was a big factor,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was important to her that there was a person with a connection to the studio to take over.鈥�

Even with the change in ownership, Smith said it will be business as usual with no major changes. All of the current programming will continue unaffected.

She did say, though, that her hope is to mould the academy into what she would like it to be.

鈥淟ina built such a great business here, there鈥檚 such a great foundation and I鈥檓 really hoping to continue building that connection to the community that we have,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 want to make this a safe and welcoming place for everyone who comes. It鈥檚 all about being inclusive and making it a place not just for girls. Everyone is welcome to come and be a part of our academy.鈥�

Many of the online comments have been in favour of the move with several making mention of the fact that Smith will now be there for the long-term.

Smith herself acknowledged there鈥檚 always a concern that people who make their mark will eventually move on.

鈥淵ellowknife is a community where people come and go, it鈥檚 a very transitory place,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou wonder if there鈥檚 that connection, but I want everyone to know that I鈥檓 going to be here for them and I鈥檝e made Yellowknife my home.鈥�

Lewis will still provide mentorship while things become finalized behind the scenes, added Smith.

鈥淚 have such a close relationship with Lina and she鈥檚 told me not to make the mistakes she made (when she started),鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited about it, a bit nervous, but Lina has been a great mentor and I鈥檓 confident in what鈥檚 to come for us.鈥�