Meet Alexia Liavas | Dance studio owner, choreographer & teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexia Liavas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexia, why did you pursue a creative career?
Dance has been a part of my soul since a very young age. For me, dance went far beyond taking classes at the studio… it’s what was on my mind all the time.

I would spend weekends making up dances with my sister or my friends in the basement of my house for fun. I remember being in the back seat of my parent’s car listening to the radio, and seeing choreography in my mind to every single song. (By the way, I thought everyone saw choreography in their minds when they listened to music! I didn’t realize this was just me…)

In high school I was the captain of my high school dance team… and during class I would choreograph in my mind and while taking class “notes”, I would be creating formations in my binder instead.

In college I spend just as much time in dance class at a local studio (maybe more?!) as I did studying and being a college student.

Post college I was working as a district manager for a make-up company, and when I’d be in-store I would be dancing to the music and once again, creating choreography in my mind. That was the point in time when I thought to myself—let’s just get to it and do what I really love to do!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is moving art—dance and choreography. I have been blessed to be able to create choreography professionally for over 25 years.

I stated professionally teaching and choreographing in my college years, at a local dance studio called Motion Underground in Boulder, Co. My time there allowed me to explore my voice as a choreographer, as we always had many uniquely themed shows in which I got to experiment with exciting concepts on my dancers. I worked and taught at several studios during the remainder of my time in Colorado, and continued to create an evolve my choreography style.

I moved to California to be surrounded by the dance industry, although I never intended to make it my full-time career. Moving to another state proved to be more difficult than I expected, and I actually lost my interest in dance for a short amount of time. I stopped taking class for several months, and was a bit lost in who I truly was without dance. Over time, the desire to dance again came back, and I found my way back into the dance world. Living in Los Angeles, I inevitably ended up auditioning for a variety of professional gigs, but my heart was still truly in teaching and choreography.

I was lucky enough to be offered several teaching positions working with local high schools in Conejo Valley. During my time working with the high school students as a dance class teacher and choreographer, a dance team coach, and also working with local studios, I had endless opportunities to continue creating and setting choreography. It was truly my time to find my voice as a choreographer, and have a ton of fun in the process.

My style became known for being quirky and innovative, starting from the norm. My pieces were always received well, and in the competitive dance world, scored well and earned many prestigious awards as well. It was time to fly on my own, and open my dance studio.

Aspire Dance Studio was created with the intention of making a space that would nurture and feed the soul, body, and mind through dance—as this is what dance did for me growing up, and continues to do today. I also wanted to create a space where my teachers and choreographers could have the opportunity to find their creative voice and explore their artistry.

We are now on our 11th season, and I have learned many lessons over the last 10 1/2 years of owning a dance studio. But every morning that I wake up, I feel blessed to be able to do what I love every day, and you have been able to share it with so many people over the last 10 years.

While being the owner of Aspire Dance Studio is all-consuming and takes up a great deal of my time and mental space, I still get most excited to create new choreography on my dancers.

Over the last 10 years at the studio, I have had the greatest time creating so many fun, emotional, thought-provoking, and quirky pieces on my dancers. It has been wonderful watching them take on these ideas and grow with me through the process.

In my second year of owning the studio, I was able to put together a preprofessional adult company and create my own full length production. The pieces ranged in style and concept, and my favorite piece I created was one about my dad‘s Parkinson’s-related dementia, and his memory loss. Creating this show and these pieces are some thing that I will always remember.

During my time at the studio, I’ve had two wonderful opportunities to participate in choreography contests—coming in first place in one, and second place in the other.

It is wonderful to have the opportunities and the space to be able to create new works of art on a regular basis with my dancers at Aspire!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love my little neck of the woods—so to speak!

I would take them to local eateries (Carerra Pastries is a favorite!), as well as to the beach for a long walk and good meal.

A trip to the Ronald Regan library to see the stunning views, and get some history in.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I dedicate my shoutout to all the teachers, coaches, choreographers and staff that have helped make Aspire what it is today. Without them, none of it would be possible. I am eternally grateful!

Website: www.aspiredancestudio.com

Instagram: @aspire_dancestudio and @aliavas

Facebook: Aspire Dance Studio

Youtube: aspiredancestudio

Image Credits
David Lagunas Kelsey Kleinman