WORDS: Shannon Evans
PHOTOS: Wendy Dewhurst
To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak, goes the Hopi proverb.
For Michele Mercier, owner and director of Dance University in Lakewood Ranch, dance not only speaks the language of the heart but helps its students find an identity—and discover community. In the seven years since it opened, this family-owned studio has produced a family-like environment among its students, fostering close-knit friendships while welcoming newcomers with open arms.
“It’s a great home for kids new to the area, the perfect place to make friends,” Michele says. “We champion kindness among our students and do everything we can to create a loving environment. And we’ve forged strong bonds with them.”
Dance University is, per its slogan, a place to “educate your body, inspire your soul.” The studio offers classes in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, and acro, working to instill proper technique and discipline from toddlers to teens. Dancers in specific age groups and experience levels form teams and perform in shows, conventions, and competitions.
And if you want to learn to dance but are no longer three years old?
“We have classes for older kids just starting out,” Michele says. “They get similar training, but we give them home exercises too, which is important when you start late. We also offer private lessons. It takes work, but it’s possible to catch up.”
If anyone understands catching up, Michele does—because it’s her story, too.
Dancing Queen
Originally from New Jersey, Michele fell in love with dance at age three, exploring genres like jazz, ballet, lyrical, musical comedy, and gymnastics. But she took a break from dance at age eight, and when she started again at 12, she had a lot of catching up to do.
“Falling behind actually gave me a different perspective as a teacher,” Michele says, “because I remember how much work it took to reach that level. I remember finally getting my split. If I had had the typical dance progression from age three, I wouldn’t be in as good a position to help others learn.”
Michele’s true passion has always been teaching. At age 15, she started an after-school program and taught adult classes at a gym. But she continued learning, too; after high school, a hard-won scholarship to the Phil Black/Dance Central Station studio in Manhattan saw her studying dance alongside Jennifer Lopez and other future celebrities. At one point, through her involvement with production companies from New York and Russia, she even performed for the king of Morocco.
But seeing her students grow in confidence and skill—watching them not only find themselves but truly express themselves through dance—these transformations made her truly come alive. Michele continued to pursue teaching, secured positions at the prestigious Boston Ballet and the YMCA and later started a dance program at a country club gym.
Since moving to Florida in 2004, Michele has taught at gyms, clubs, schools, and various dance studios, including the Bradenton Cheer Academy, the YMCA, the Imagine School, and Willis, Freedom, Gullett, and Wakeland elementary schools. But the idea of opening her own studio—and giving her students a dance home of their own—began to grow.
In 2017, Dance University opened its doors, and today, multiple teachers bring a wealth of expertise, talent, and skill to complement Michele’s leadership.
However, the studio’s origins and successes are not solely due to Michele, her team, or even her students. Another person’s story pirouettes a path through Michele’s, giving Dance University its grand jeté—its leap forward.
That story belongs to her daughter, Marina.
Life’s Improv Lessons
Dance University’s choreographer and competition director, Marina Mercier, traces her love for dance back to her toddler years, too. She danced through high school while teaching alongside her mom at elementary schools; later, she coached dance teams at Braden River schools and started her own Silver Lightning competition team. But at age 20, as her third competition season began, devastating news slipped onto the scene. Dizziness and headaches prevented her dancing, coaching efforts, studies, and even her job—and that’s when doctors discovered a massive tumor pressing on her brain stem.
“Marina’s involvement in dance actually helped her cope with symptoms for much longer than others might have,” Michele says. “But when the doctors found the tumor, they were surprised she could walk, let alone dance.”
Some of Marina’s symptoms were not entirely new; a misdiagnosis at age 16 meant the tumor had been growing for years. Consequences would have been fatal had doctors not found it—and they only found it because of Marina’s sister, Megan, and her brain surgery four months prior.
“Megan had a condition called Chiari malformation, where brain tissue extends into the spinal cord,” Michele explains. “Doctors finally agreed to investigate Marina’s symptoms and give her an MRI because of Megan’s experience.”
Marina’s 15-hour brain surgery was successful, but she lost her hearing in one ear. And with difficult and unpredictable symptoms post-operation, returning to work proved impossible.
Meanwhile, Michele had enrolled in a business class, tiptoeing toward her dream of opening a dance studio.
“Here’s my 21-year-old, overachiever, all-A’s daughter who cares about excellence and wants to work,” Michele says. “But she’d go to work and then end up at the hospital or be in too much pain to work, and they’d have to let her go. It was horrible.
“And then there I was, trying to start a dance studio but needing help. And Marina knows dance. Her joining in was an obvious solution.”
Marina agreed, and the two continued planning for Dance University. Then came more difficult news. Marina needed another surgery, and insurance refused to pay. The solution, like everything else in their lives, danced before them.
Dance for a Chance
With Marina’s health at stake, they planned a dance competition and showcase benefit as a fundraiser, advertising it to every dance studio in Florida within a two-hour radius as well as to their students from school programs.
But would it work? Michele gleaned all she could from her business class to plan the event, but as the day drew closer, they weren’t sure if they could pull it off. And the venue needed payment, now.
“At one point, we only had five people signed up,” Michele recalls, “but with two weeks to go, 100 more registrations poured in.”
What started as one event to raise money for Marina’s surgery morphed into a nonprofit called Dance for a Chance. Since its inception, the fundraisers have helped other dancers and their families with medical costs.
The Biggest Win
With the surgery behind her, Marina stepped into the studio’s choreographer and competition director role. Dance University gave her more than ‘something to do’ during a difficult recovery. Now, she pursues her purpose and enjoys a safe space where she’ll be supported through any health challenges. Even though she can’t exert herself like she used to, she can channel her talent to help other dancers create beautiful, competition-winning routines.
“I do a lot of my choreography while driving,” Marina says. “When I hear a song, I can almost immediately visualize it. Then, I’ll come to the studio and direct dancers to create it. The trick is finding the right song to inspire you.”
The songs may spark ideas, but the combination of Michele’s intense training in proper technique, Marina’s vision, their students’ talent, and their tireless work ethic have produced stunning performances at both regional and national competitions.
A Community in Harmony
The name Dance University highlights a focus on education, but its dancers have become more than classmates.
“My daughters have been a part of Dance University since the beginning,” says one parent. “As a smaller studio, they can be attentive to each of their dancers. And Dance University is not just a studio. It’s our dance family.”
The love Michele and Marina have for their dance family is evident. When asked about their favorite aspect of running a dance studio, mother and daughter break into smiles, rattling off answers in an enthusiastic duet.
“Seeing the students’ hard work pay off. Watching them grow in confidence and come out of their shell. Providing a place of constancy and support, especially if their home environment doesn’t. Seeing them blossom through positive reinforcement and praise. Their hugs, their homemade cards, their excitement at simply being here.”
As for the general benefits? Why choose dance, parents might ask, among the countless activities available for kids? The Merciers reel off another long list.
“Exercise. Discipline. Self-esteem. Building a work ethic. Feeling a sense of responsibility to others outside yourself. Making friends for life.”
“We’re all broken, and dance heals us,” Michele says.
Perhaps the quote at the top of their website says it best:
“Behind every dancer is someone that broke her, a song that moved her, a movement that inspired her, and a dance floor that saved her.” – Hope Alcocer
Discover Dance University:
Visit Dance University online at www.danceufl.com
Phone: 941-374-9589
Email: contact@danceufl.com
