Myriam Olaizola, Owner
At Studio de Myriam, my goal is to provide a versatile sanctuary where the artistry of dance, voice, and expression converge within an elegant French-themed ambiance. Fully sprung dance floors, wall mirrors, premium user-friendly sound equipment help create a comfortable environment where artists, teachers, and individuals can fully explore their creativity.
Studio de Myriam is a nurturing space for skilled instructors to host private or small group classes in dance and expression; an elegant setting for dancing rehearsals and photoshoots; a place to have fun and experience joie de vivre!
Furthermore, our studio provides an elegant venue for private boutique events, complemented by a diverse array of catering options if desired, including specialties from Black Sheep Bar & Grill and collaborations with local caterers.
Experienced teachers provide private classes of various styles of dance and voice lessons as well as private classes designed to help couples and individuals shine at special events such as weddings and quinceaneras. Those comprehensive services include personalized choreography, song selection, rehearsals, videos, and practice tips, ensuring cherished memories.
As the mother of a special needs child, I am pleased to announce that we will soon be offering dance classes especially created for young adults with special needs in our community. These classes aim to bring joy, improve social skills, and enhance fine motor skills through the transformative power of dance and movement.
I look forward to welcoming you at Studio de Myriam, where creativity, fun, and empowering moments spark within the heart of the Central Coast community.
Meet some of our amazingly skilled instructors who rent our space and offer one-on-one lesson and small group classes.
Robert Jason Sumabat
Performing Arts was his first career, it was never a hobby. Some call him Robert, some call him Jason. He’ll answer to both due to his 2-careers of IT & Digital work, and Dance & Performance.
He boasts many accomplishments including being a 26 year veteran and resident movement/weapons/choreographer for the Central Coast Shakespeare Festival, 21 year Artistic Director of the Central Coast Follies, Co-founder, Director, and Creator of the Emerald Moon, Sapphire Moon, and Diamonds Series of Industrial Fashion Shows, Administrative Director and owner of Blue Dove Productions, four time award winner of the FAME awards (Fine Arts Music & Entertainment). Including categories of Best Dance Group, Best Choreographer, Best Dancer, Best Male Performer
On the Central Coast alone Jason has worked with PCPA, The Great American Melodrama, SLO PAC, Hancock College, Cuesta College, Cal Poly, Clark Center, Dellos Performing Arts Center, Studio of Performing Arts, Coastal Youth Theatre, and Ballet Theater SLO. Jason has also performed with touring companies, Vegas shows, and California Institute of Art & Technology.
Jason offers lessons in dance, piano, guitar, musical theater, and specializes in wedding dance, quinceanera, and bat and bar mitzvah.
Christiana Marie
Christiana is celebrating over 30 years as a dancer, performer, competitor, student, teacher, and coach. A trained dancer in the foundations of ballet, tap, jazz, then came hip hop and modern. Skip to present day, and it is Street Style and a fusion of today’s Brazilian Funk and Latin Trap music and choreography.
Dance Club started as “Zumba in Park” during COVID-19 and it was a shining star that lit up our day during those times. As interest and popularity grew, we moved our group inside a studio, and it felt appropriate to change the name to “Dance Club”.
Dance Club is a dream with a sweet intention, ” A chance to dance fully embodied and wildly with other people.” Luckily for her, Dance Club is just one of the ways she does it. She kills it on the dance floor at live shows near and far, and she likes to dip in and out of Ecstatic Dance, and she has recently added tap into her life after over a decade and is loving it.
Join the dance club today for a Ritual Dance Workout featuring Brazilian Funk and Latin Pop Music and choreography.
Mary Donnelly
Mary Donnelly has taught belly dance for over ten years on the Central Coast, and she and her World Dance Company have performed at festivals and events up and down the west coast.
She loves to support local arts groups, and has performed at fundraisers for the arts including the Gilbert Reed Ballet Company, Cal Poly Arts, SLO Art Center and many more. She is a recipient of the San Luis Obispo Arts Council’s Arts Honors Day Award, and through her family friendly performances she has contributed thousands to local community and world causes including Habitat for Humanity, Amnesty International, and PLAN. Performing with the incredibly talented Central Coast Follies is another passion in her life.
Her belly dance classes include a fusion of cabaret, tribal, folkloric, veil work, and finger cymbal work. As you dance with Mary, you will fall in love with the beautiful Middle Eastern music, with its unique rhythms and exotic melodies. Fun and laughter are always her goals for every class. No experience is required, so come and discover (or rediscover) the joy of bellydancing every Tuesday evening from 5:00 to 6:30 at the beautiful Studio de Myriam.
Desiree’ Stefanini
Desiree’ first teaching gig came at the early age of 5 while she lived in Italy. Her church group had asked her to lead a group of children during a Christmas show to the dance number of “Spice Up Your Life” by the Spice Girls.
However, it wasn’t till she turned 10 when her professional dance training truly began. She trained in Hip-Hop and Modern dance and nationally competed for many years. When she and her family moved to California she continued her training both in school and in dance studios in Orange County and LA.
It wasn’t until she was approached to lead dance fitness classes when Desiree’ discovered her love and passion for teaching. She eventually got certified in MOSSA Groove and Zumba and started teaching all over the Central Coast.
It wasn’t too long when she began to introduce Hip-Hop classes, her first love, to both adults and children. She would then go on and teach at Cal Poly, Kennedy Club Fitness and at studios in Los Angeles. Desiree’ is also a Musical Theater performer and has always loved any style and form of movement. She believes that a dancer is always a student of their art and that dance can be healing to the soul.