Dance studio celebrates 60 years of teaching Spokane how to dance tap, jazz and ballet

When you pull up in front of Bleker School of Dance on Dean Avenue in Spokane Valley, nothing gives away the large dance studio built behind the classic rancher that’s home to the school.

For generations, thousands of Spokane-area children and young adults have made their first plie and taken their fist wobbly steps in tap shoes at Bleker School of Dance, which holds its 60th recital at University High School June 17.

Founded by Tom Bleker, who was a juggler and acrobat, and his wife, dancer Joan Rita Day, in 1955, the school moved into the house the Blekers finished building in 1957.

Their daughter, Melissa “Missy” Scheller began running the school when she was just 19 after her mother’s death in 1987.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been that long,” Scheller said, sitting in the hallway between the two busy downstairs studios on Monday. “And all of it in this house.”

Scheller grew up dancing in her parents’ school and she still teaches tap, lyrical dance, jazz dance and tumbling to children as young as 3 and adults.

“I just had an adult who took her first tap lesson the other day,” Scheller said.

She’s had three generations of Spokane Valley families go through dance lessons at the school, and soon a third generation is getting ready to take over running the school.

Scheller’s daughter-in-law, Peyton Scheller, is ready in the wings.

“I’ve danced here all my life,” Peyton Scheller said. “I’m excited but I don’t want it to happen too soon.”

Missy Scheller said her dance studio is a little different from many others.

After she became a Christian she changed some choices in music, choreography and costumes.

“I really listened to some of the lyrics and decided that I didn’t want children to listen to that,” Missy Scheller said. “And my costumes are a little more conservative.”

She quickly added that the music isn’t lame just because most of it is Christian.

“We have small classes and we are a little more conservative,” Missy Scheller said. “I think people appreciate that about us.”