Dancing from the heart

Santa Ynez Valley residents enjoy a startling variety of careers and pastimes, from ranching and retailing, to dressage and mountain biking. Despite demanding jobs and busy lives, however, many still find time amid the homework and hectic schedules to bask in a little magic.
Since 1994, area youngsters and their families have frequented Los Olivos Dance Gallery (LODG), a local institution “where students learn to love dance.”

Here, they explore the world of motion and music, while experiencing the joy of work well done and the thrill of artistic achievement.
“Everything about dance is good for children, because it evokes feeling, strength and artistry,” declares Maggie Mesikep, who co-owns LODG with her husband, Mike.

“It’s a magical outlet for children, both physically and mentally. “Through dance they are able to express themselves without being verbal,” she adds, “and that’s a true gift.”
Located on a quiet street off Grand Avenue, the airy studio offers everything from tap and ballet to hip-hop and flamenco, and boasts over 300 students, most of whom take multiple disciplines.
Kids start dancing as young as four years old, often continuing into their teens and sometimes well beyond. “Many alumni have gone on to choose dance as a career,” Mesikep says happily. “I hear from quite a few about what it’s done for them, that the studio was like a home, and they could always count on the quality of the classes.”

Miss Maggie, as she is known to her students and many of their parents, serves as artistic director, as well as accountant, administrator, instructor and resident mother hen.
With the help of an innovative staff of teachers who share their love of dance, she teaches the discipline of dance with a firm hand – as many as 18 classes a week – but also with a large measure of loving kindness.
“It’s so interesting,” says Mike Mesikep. “I’ve seen others teach and it’s not the same. Maggie can get things from kids that others can’t. It’s love,” he concludes. “She loves what she does and loves these kids. All the teachers share Maggie’s philosophy.”
The Mesikeps have also forged a strong connection with parents and community leaders, a devoted brigade of volunteers who help keep the school flourishing with their time, tuition fees, elbow grease and unwavering support.
Donors fund special classes, local businesses pitch in to buy costumes and parents even pass the hat to send the couple on an annual vacation. “The parents are so kind,” Maggie smiles. “On top of tuition and bringing their kids to class, they go beyond and give us a gift after each show to send us somewhere. It’s very humbling. I also think,” she continues with a laugh, “it’s their way of forcing us to stop for just a minute.”
Mike Mesikep, who describes himself as “absolutely not a dancer,” serves as the studio’s technical director, resident photographer and all-around handyman.
“I fondly say my title is everything but,” he laughs. “Growing up, my parents had rentals and I learned how to fix things, so in the dance studio I’m a jack of all trades.”
In addition to wielding hammer and saw, Mike documents each class of students and every public performance with his camera; manages the sound, lighting and sets; and cuts all the music for rehearsals and shows.
“He is the rock,” Maggie beams. “I don’t believe the studio could be the success it is without him and what he gives to the students and staff. We really are a dream team.”
Mike and Maggie grew up in Lompoc, where they attended kindergarten together, but didn’t start dating until their senior year in high school.
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While Maggie dreamed of opening a dance studio, a goal she set for herself at the age of seven, Mike pursued interests in photography and graphic arts. After Maggie completed her degree in dance at U.C. Irvine, and Mike his B.S. in print management at Cal Poly, the pair married.
Within three years, they had moved to the Valley, and with help from Maggie’s parents, opened LODG. “We were so passionate about it,” Mike remembers. “Ever since I’ve known Maggie, she was adamant about doing this. I figured I was going to work in the print industry and the studio would keep her busy, but I missed the mark entirely.
“Shortly after opening the studio,” he continues, “I realized I was seeing kids blossom. They might come in shy, not in great shape, but then they’d stand up straight, become confident and poised. I was blown away. I realized there was something bigger going on that I didn’t get at first.”
Every year, LODG students perform in Centre Stage, an extravaganza that features over 300 dancers tripping the light fantastic in 42 dances and 780 glorious costumes. The Dance Gallery partners with Arts Outreach and Solvang’s Theaterfest to produce the show, and each entity benefits from the event’s proceeds.     “Volunteers put in months of work,” Maggie says, “and the students make it a huge part of their life, to be disciplined and present. It’s wonderful for the students to share their passion with the community,” she adds.“They have such stage presence and talent, and once they get up there, it’s pretty electric.”
When not facing a performance deadline, Dance Gallery students often treat the studio as a comfortable home away from home.
“It’s this place where they come and have fun,” Mike explains. “There are times I’ll show up and Maggie’s teaching a class, another teacher has a private student and some kids are just hanging out doing their homework. It’s a fun, safe, positive place to be.”
In addition to the regular curriculum of classes and performances, LODG students sometimes work with guest teachers, professional dancers who offer a rare glimpse into a world of possibilities.
“We had a guest choreographer, Wade Robson, last year,” Mike explains, “and 14 girls got to be in his piece. It was an opportunity of a lifetime for these young ladies. Later, he was a huge presence on Dancing with the Stars and he won an Emmy for that same piece.
“It was amazing to get to a point where we had students good enough to do his choreography,” he continues.
“And for the students, they can see that if you work hard and you try, there are rewards.”
Maggie agrees, adding, “Guests have brought our school to a pre-professional level and they let the students see to the next level. They love coming here and they love the passion of the kids. It’s a win-win!”
Through an innovative scholarship program, even children of financially strapped families can experience the joy of dance at LODG. Twice each year, the school holds open auditions where the teachers evaluate short pieces choreographed and performed by potential students.
“We gave $16,000 in public scholarships this year,” Maggie reveals, “including a full one in the name of my father, who passed away this year. “As the studio has grown,” she continues, “we’ve received private donations, so now we can offer 12 scholarships per session. We’ve never turned anyone away.”
Hannah, the Mesikeps’ young daughter, started dancing last year and reportedly likes it a lot. Pleased she has demonstrated an affinity for it, Mike, the non-dancer, nevertheless harbors a touch of trepidation.
“Maggie is doing a father-daughter dance this year,” he chuckles, “and I know my time is coming. “Dads partner in a simple ballet and maybe do a lift,” he says. “It’s really something, all these dads – dentists, doctors, construction workers, every walk of life – in their tuxedos, dancing with their daughters.
“The pride, the looks on their faces, it’s just amazing,” he continues. “Dads won’t hesitate to go to a ballgame, toss a ball for their sons, but this dad thing with daughters is different.” Proud of what they have built and grateful to be doing something they love, Mike and Maggie Mesikep credit the students and their parents with Dance Gallery’s success.
“If this community wasn’t here, we wouldn’t be here,” Mike declares. “They drive their kids to class, pay tuition, help out at Centre Stage. It amazes me, year after year.

“We feel so blessed to be able to do what we do,” he says. “Watching kids who are shy, who look at the floor or don’t have self confidence, blossom into performers who explode on the stage. It’s magic!”