Deanna Gallardo always thought she’d become a writer or editor. Life’s taken her down many paths, and she even spent some time as a dental assistant following her graduation from Indiana University Northwest (IU Northwest) in Gary. She worked at a dance studio part-time around the time her children were born. Once its former owner was ready to move on, they called her and asked if she’d like to buy it. Today, the studio – Mirror Image Dance Academy in Valparaiso – is now under her ownership, and Gallardo is there as an instructor.
Gallardo grew up in Portage, where she went to and graduated from high school. She received a dental-assisting certificate from IU Northwest after that, going into the field temporarily. She later returned to school to earn herself a bachelor’s in English and business.
Leading classes at the studio, Gallardo isn’t restricted to managerial tasks when she comes to work. Instead, she’s instructing 280 students between three separate studios, coordinating a competition dance team as she does so. She’ll perform everything from ordering costumes and choreographing entire shows to staffing and other administrative duties. Her dedication is evident, but through it all one thing stands paramount for her.
“My true joy is in teaching—that’s where my passion lies,” she said. “There’s nothing better than teaching the kids.”
Gallardo meets whatever demands her job requires, no matter how difficult. Besides producing two shows of her own each year, she assists other coaches with plans for their dance courses and possible performances. Having spent 25 years running the studio, she’s conducted around 50 shows; when counting her collaborations, that number’s likely over 75. She stays busy, learning new things in the process.
“I’m a lifelong learner. I love learning through teaching. That’s a huge focus for me,” she said.
Gallardo has experienced a lot over the years – her hard-working spirit helps her tackle any challenges head-on that come up in the workplace. Finding solutions has never been challenging. She also offers innovative lessons such as praise dance classes. The studio is non-denominational, but especially with the daily support of her husband, she feels what she does is mission-based.
“I feel my husband and I are right where we’re supposed to be: God wants us here for a reason, to help the kids and to teach them all the dances,” she said. “We give them that extra something they’re missing or that something they crave—that community.”
In the past, Gallardo’s taken groups to dance at Disney World. She and a batch of her former performers once held a recital outside the doors of the studio during the COVID-19 pandemic, dancing through a rainstorm that seemingly only poured down on them. In the days of Zoom-led teachings, one time she accidentally stepped backward into her dog’s water dish while directing a ballet class, making herself and her students laugh. All the memorable moments create a sense of camaraderie – one that continues to flourish today.
Through her studio, Gallardo keeps herself and her students engaged in the community. Around Thanksgiving, they get involved with 500 Turkeys, a meal-distribution program. They donate useful funds to organizations of all kinds during Christmastime. Gallardo’s intention is to create a respectful environment for those she oversees.
Gallardo directly gives back to her students as well. Some dancers stick around at the studio beginning in preschool and stay all the way to their respective stints in college. Two years ago, she began to bestow lifetime-achievement awards in the forms of scholarships.
“This really is my field. Taking care of these kids and making sure that they’re taught dance in a good, solid way, not being exploited, is important to me,” she said. “We are like one big family. When somebody’s going through something, we help them out.”
Gallardo appreciates spending quality time with her 92-year-old father, and to her, her dogs are her babies. She often goes on hikes with her family, visiting the beach when the best weather allows. She devotes her love to her children and her rock of a husband, Dave.
To Gallardo, Valparaiso is safe and peaceful. She recognizes how people look out for one another in the city, this common thread of people wanting to enjoy the simplicity of things weaving through the place.
“You get a good balance of hometown and culture here, and with that comes the best of both worlds,” she said.