Resident brings spirit of aloha to community

Mexican native Myriam Valenzuela was practically born to open her own dance studio. The Maricopa resident grew up studying the techniques of various styles of dance from hula to Mexican traditional, starting at a young age.

“Dance was always a big part of my life growing up,” Valenzuela said. “From spending hours twirling to various tunes to taking countless dance classes, I always knew it would be a big part of my life in some way, shape or form.”

And it was. After honing her skills as a teenager, Valenzuela eventually opened up her own dance studio in Hermosillo, Mexico.

“The techniques the movements, the workouts,” Valenzuela said. “I loved it all and I was eager to share my dance experience with others.”

Valenzuela would spend three years teaching in Mexico, before her dreams were put on hold to start a family.

“After just a few years, my husband and I started a family and moved to Maricopa, Arizona,” she said. “At that point, I had to put my family first and it became hard to continue to pursue the career I had grown to love so much.”

Still, Valenzuela was determined to find a way to have the best of both worlds.

Shortly after moving to Maricopa, Valenzuela was presented with the opportunity to teach a belly dancing class.

“It was something totally different from any other class that I had taught, but I was excited and grateful for the opportunity,” Valenzuela said.

The opportunity paid off. Today, she continues teaching community members out of the comforts of her home studio – Hula Dance Studio.

“Adults tend to look for a place they can get away and feel calm, and I’m able to provide that with my classes.”

While Valenzuela is certified to teach yoga and hula out of her studio, her hula class remains the most popular. Both classes attract mostly adult women, but she welcomes people of all ages and genders.

“Classes are intimate, confined to 10-17 students per class in the evenings,” she said. Each class lasts about an hour in which students stretch and learn a dance routine.

Valenzuela also offers specialized hula classes for younger students. In past years, some of her students have performed at local community events, showcasing various techniques of hula and Tahitian dancing.

“What I get out of it is just seeing the community enjoying themselves,” she said. “I’ve received feedback from parents and younger students saying they just love that they can get a work out and have fun all at the same time.”

She marvels at the sense of camaraderie that’s built up in her classes and looks forward to another year of teaching.

“I love all the people who come to class,” she said. “You come you learn a skill, and you leave feeling really good about yourself.”

Valenzuela continues to teach classes out of her home studio while looking to her next venture – a studio in the Southeast Valley.