Building a Dance Studio for the Future | My Member Story
When Kim Luke moved to Salt Lake City and wanted to open her own dance studio, she had no idea how forward-thinking she would have to be.
Kim Luke’s world has always revolved around dance—from her introduction as a child, to college in Oklahoma, to Boston, to Broadway, to Utah.
As a young woman, she worked hard to achieve her dream of performing on stage, only to realize her true passion was teaching. She headed the largest arts outreach program in the Boston Public School System, introducing over 2,000 children to the art of dance each year.
Leap of faith
When her husband, Jeff, secured a coveted position with the Utah Symphony, Kim was excited for the challenge of a new city but a little apprehensive about starting over. She soon launched Artistic Endeavors Dance and began teaching classes in Salt Lake County recreation centers, where she quickly built a following.
In 2020, when the pandemic hit and everything shut down, as a teacher, Kim felt the pressure. She couldn’t make a living and had come to a crossroads—continue working at a county-owned facility and wait out the pandemic or choose to make a change.
She had considered opening her own private dance school before but had never taken the leap. She decided now was the time. The following year, Kim found a property in her own neighborhood that would work. The existing building would have to be demolished and she would have to start from scratch, but she could see the vision.
Building something to last
Kim was intent on maximizing the space and features, inside and out. She worked closely with an architect to build something that was more than just a building—it was a creative haven that took everything into consideration.
From putting a window in every room possible to take in the breathtaking views of the Wasatch Mountains to installing state-of-the-art HVAC and soundproofing systems, this studio welcomes all ages and abilities. Kim even thought about making the property desirable for when it comes time to sell. The building has been positioned on the property so that a business that needs a drive-through, like a fast-food restaurant or coffee shop, can move right in with minimal improvements.
This is what a legacy looks like
Today, Kim is running her business on her own terms. She gets to come to this beautiful building every day and do what she loves. Artistic Endeavors teaches about 360 students, including Utah’s largest tap dance program.
Always the visionary, there was another reason Kim paid so much attention to building her studio the way she did—and her name is Jessie.
Jessie is Kim’s daughter who expressed interest in going into business with her mom. Kim wanted to make sure the studio would be in a good position when she was ready to turn over the reins. As co-directors, Kim is mentoring Jessie as she learns the business side of dance.
“One day, when my great-great grandchild walks into this building, the story we’ll tell will be that their grandmother built this building when the pandemic of 2020 hit and shut down the world,” says Kim. “This is what came from that.”
Giving back to kids affected by cancer
Kim’s studio is more than just a building. She feels so strongly about supporting kids who have cancer, or who have a family member battling the disease, that she started a scholarship program to really make a difference.
“Turning the “C” in Cancer to “D” Dancer!” is Kim’s passion project. Through the foundation, she has provided 14 lifelong scholarships to the studio. She explains, “This is a place where those kids can come where it’s a constant, and its normal, when maybe things at home aren’t so normal.”
How Mountain America got involved
Building a dance studio from the ground up is not exactly easy. Kim had never done anything like this before and was not an expert when it came to small business and construction loans. Her real estate agent recommended talking with Mountain America Credit Union.
After coming to the branch with question after question, Kim shared, “Every single person was so willing to speak to me in basic terms to make sure I understood and felt good about the conversation.” She believes it’s very important to have someone on your team you can trust. “I couldn’t be happier with my choice to go there.”
Kim Luke has definitely made her mark on the Salt Lake dance community—and we are so happy she brought us along for the ride. Congratulations, Kim!
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