Meet Dyan Lopez-Fiamengo | Professional choreographer, dancer, actress, and business owner.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dyan Lopez-Fiamengo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dyan, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I have been taking risks since I was in fourth grade. “My motto was never let your fears get in the way of your fun”!

As a child I had a lot of fear. I am not sure where it came from but it really didn’t fit with my bigger than life and adventurous personality. I just couldn’t let fear hold me back if I wanted to do anything worth doing in life.

As an athlete and dancer I was always told by my father, no pain, no gain. So I grew up with a sink or swim attitude. I was that strong willed child, a fighter to the end. My father’s words of wisdom helped me to work through my fears and encouraged me to always take risks as long as they wouldn’t kill me. He also told me to reach for the stars, if I only get to the moon it is good enough.

As I transitioned into my teenage years I learned quickly that if I wanted to succeed in anything, I would have to take a risk knowing I only had a 50/50 shot at succeeding. Trying out for the basketball team, Track team, Cheerleading Squad, head statistician for the boys Varsity Basketball team, getting accepted into a prestigious girls club, becoming Wisteria Princess, or being a recipient of the Most Outstanding Youth of the City of Los Angeles all came with the fear I wouldn’t make it, but a risk I was willing to take. My high school years turned out to be very successful.

Before I went to college I applied for a job at the local supermarket. My mother took me there and had me meet the manager. Then she told me never to take no for an answer and made me go back almost every week until he hired me. I was hired 6 weeks later. In 6 months promoted to checker faster than anyone else had been promoted. I was only 18.

As I got into college the competition became tougher. I wasn’t as successful as I was in high school but that didn’t stop me. I was on the cross country and track team, joined some local clubs, a dance team and a Sorority. I learned many life lessons there that would carry on into adulthood.

Once I graduated from college I started to apply for professional dance and teaching jobs when I had no professional experience just a great deal of passion. I was scared and faked it until I made it.

My first teaching job was at a local park and recreational center teaching elementary age children dance. I had never done this job before and I was afraid the children wouldn’t like me or that I wouldn’t be any good. I remember shaking before going into teach. Once I got started I actually turned out to be pretty good. I had fun with the children and they seemed to like me. I found a new passion and career. It was a successful year.

A few years later I knew I was ready for the next step. I applied to established dance studios. I ended up teaching at 6 dance studios throughout the South Bay area. Once I felt confident in my ability I applied to the two top dance studios in LA that were world-renowned. I had never been so afraid in my life. Talk about taking a risk. Could I even compete with the big boys? Was I kidding myself? I was shaking while turning in my application. I was shocked when they hired me. That was a turning point in my career. I thought if I could do this, I could do anything. It was my defining moment in life. I then realized that in life we just have to get over that one major hurdle and it will make it easier to take a risk in anything else we attempt for the rest of our lives. I was now on my way to conquering the world.

I ended up being the choreographer for a local high school’s dance and drill team. They ended up winning state championships two years in a row that I had the team. I started the first all boys dance team for high school where they were requested to perform at the pre-olympic games in L. A. as a feature that was televised. They were requested to perform with host Dana Carvey at the Crystal light awards. They were state champions as well. One of my dancers went on to dance with Michael Jackson, Prince, Beyonce, Britney Spears, etc., as well as choreographed for many of them.

I was also the choreographer for the “American Youth Express” a children’s song and dance performing group. They were chosen out of 60 groups in California to perform at the Pantages in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

I opened for the Four Tops as a choreographer and dancer with my professional group Trademark A. D. at the Super Bowl 23 pre game party.

I auditioned for various commercials and I finally landed a national Depend commercial.

I performed on the stage with the Nicholas Brothers, Cab Calloway, Gregory Hines, etc.

I danced for the WNBA LA Sparks Ole Skool Crew for 9 years and in 2014 I owned the team and was the choreographer as well as a dancer. I did a segment on Keeping up with the Kardashians season 2 episode 4 with the team. I was also on Home and Family with Tia and Tamera.

I had the opportunity to perform all throughout the US with various groups.

I have done various infomercials as well.

I am grateful to have had so many wonderful opportunities as a teacher, choreographer, and performer throughout the years.

To change things up a bit, I decided to take the CBEST and get an emergency teaching credential. After all, I did have a Physical Education degree with an emphasis in coaching men’s sports I should put to good use. I majored in linguistics for two years then transferred into P. E. Talk about fear and risk taking trying to do math after 30 years of being out of high school. It took me two tries to pass the math part of the CBEST and I finally did by one point. I subbed Physical Education, Dance, and occasionally Spanish and English in the Palos Verdes school district for ten years.

I choreographed dance fashion shows for local charity groups.

I was a trade show model and worked at over a 100 trade shows.

Looking back at all the small risks I had taken through the years and succeeded, I now could finally put my fears to rest. I had a very successful teaching, dancing, and acting career but something was missing. It was always my goal to open up a dance studio. I tried to do this in my late 20’s but the deal to buy an established dance studio fell through.

Shortly after that, I married a wonderful man named Joe and had a beautiful daughter Breeonna who rarely left my side for 22 years of her life. She went to work with me almost every day. She learned the ropes very early on and became a successful choreographer and dancer.

When the opportunity came to start my own dance studio, I knew I had to take the risk and just go for it. This would be the biggest risk of my life before I retired.

In 2012 my then 19 year old daughter and I opened up Elite Dance Studio LLC. I made that decision on August 1, and in 5 weeks on September 10, 2012 that dream came true.

We started in a very small space, only 1700 sq. feet. When I signed that lease all my fears came back from my childhood. The rent was very expensive and I knew it would take a lot of hard work and long hours to make the rent. I was no stranger to hard work and thought it was now or never since I was 52 years old at the time.

I started the business with $700 dollars in my checking account and 40 loyal customers that followed me from my last teaching job of over 20 years. Every night while cleaning the studio I prayed to God please help me to succeed. He did. In just 3 months we outgrew the space.

In 2014 I opened up my second location. I was in it to win it now. Signing that second lease put my overhead at $15,000 a month. Winning the best new business of 2014 really helped me succeed. In two years we had 200 students and needed more space.

Here we go again. It was my final risk taking of my life. Was I really going big or going home? At 57 do I really want to take a risk and get a bigger space with a bigger price tag? Yes was the answer. I closed my two locations and moved to the Promenade on the Peninsula. It was the best decision I ever made. I hired an architect and we together designed a beautiful 6500 sq. foot studio with 5 dance rooms, a homework room, two bathrooms, an office, storage for days, and a nice size lobby. It was the studio I always wanted, my home away from home. I would stand in my studio almost every night and say how did I get here? It was surreal. I couldn’t believe it was mine.

Through the years, we have produced many professional dancers, choreographers, guided dancers into the entertainment business as actors/actresses, won countless awards at competitions, performed at Lakers, Clippers, Sparks games, amusement parks, charity events, cruises, and local fairs.

When I look back on my career I pinch myself and all I can say is thank-you Mom and Dad (Ofelia and David), for your guidance and support all these years. Thank-you to my wonderful husband Joe and daughter Breeonna for making my dreams come true. And of course I give all the glory to my Lord and Savior for giving me the talent, determination, and passion to live a fruitful and successful life.

Now it’s time to write my books. On to the next chapter of my life and I hope it will be a good one.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart from others is my deep love and compassion for the youth of today. My students become my lifelong friends. I not only teach them dance, but teach them how to navigate life in a crazy world. I guide them to the right colleges for their talents, desires, and career choices. I give them a skill through my mentoring program that they can take anywhere in the world. I give them moral support when times are tough at home or school. They have come back three generations now bringing me their children and grandchildren to teach. I try to make a difference in their lives. I have played doctor, psychiatrist, mentor, mother, father, pastor, school teacher, and as a bonus, dance teacher.

I get so excited when I hear my students are the leads in a Broadway show, choreographing a major musical or stage show, opening up their own dance studios, teaching dance at the local junior high or high schools, or have their own award winning dance teams.

It took 40 years to get where I am today. It was a very long and hard journey that I wouldn’t trade for the world.
An attitude of gratitude and a willingness to put in the work is how I overcame any challenge that came my way.

They say it takes a village to raise a child. In my case it took a state.

I have had so many wonderful mentors throughout my career and have learned so much from each and every one of them.

The biggest two lessons I have learned were never take no for an answer, and never give up on a dream.

I love what I do and hope to teach dance for many years to come. There are more superstars waiting to be created and I hope I get to be part of their journey.

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.
When my best friend comes into town I like to start at my favorite restaurant by my house, “Think Prime” in San Pedro for drinks, dinner and music. I love to play pool and I am so happy they have a back pool room.

Then it’s time to go to Disneyland for a fun day at the park. We have to have dinner at the Blue Bayou and shop downtown Disney.

One can’t come to California and not spend the day at the beach. Then it’s time for lunch at the iconic Kettle in Manhattan Beach.

Everyone wants to visit Hollywood and see the walk of fame with all of the movie star’s footprints and Grauman’s Chinese Theater. Then it’s time to go shopping to the farmers market, 3rd street promenade and an early dinner at the famous Canter’s Deli. Then it’s off to see a Broadway show at the Pantages Theater.

Now it’s time for a little Culture and a trip to the J. Paul Getty Museum. Then we must go into the valley for a little shopping on Ventura Blvd and fine dining.

To get the true California vibe once must experience the South Coast Plaza. It is shopping at its finest. Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Michael Kors, and then it’s off to dinner at Maggiano’s Little Italy.

For the Grand finale I would take my friend to Catalina Island for the day. I used to perform there on New Year’s Eve at the Casino. I would show her the island and have a little R & R as well. We would finish up the night at Steves Steak house then take the last boat to the mainland.

If we had more time, I would take her to San Diego to see all of the Historical sights, Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach, a short drive up the coast to the wine country and the Iconic Madonna Inn.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to thank Tita Boulger for mentoring me on how to run a dance studio, own a dance company, and giving me a job for so many years. LA Sparks for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to dance and do choreography on a big platform. The wonderful staff at Elite Dance Studio LLC through the years, now called Fusion Studios. My personal assistants Kaitlin Skelton and Midori May for having my back and helping me navigate the studio when I wasn’t there. Lisa Buhl for putting on the most incredible Twisted Nutcrackers, Kim Sweers, Tim Crawford for moral, financial, and educational support when times got tough. Sheri Lewis for inspiring me to write my story in the next chapter of my life. And to all my fabulous students the past 40 years have brought me so much joy and fulfillment in my life.

Website: www.elitedancerhe.com

Instagram: gottatap2000

Facebook: Dyan Lopez and Elite Dance Studio LLC

Image Credits
Arlene Di Julio Photography