Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcia Van De Kieft.
Hi Marcia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey with Evolve began long before I ever dreamed of owning a studio. I started dancing at age two, and dance became the thread that carried me through childhood, motherhood, and every chapter in between. Years later, when I watched my own daughter fall in love with movement the same way I once did, I knew I needed to find a place that would help her evolve — not just as a dancer, but as a person.
In 2018, she joined Showtime USA, and our family quickly became woven into the fabric of that community. By 2022, I stepped into the role of Director for the Lake County location, operating under the franchise based out of St. Augustine. We held classes in a small church community room, using door mirrors leaned against the wall, pushing chairs aside, and creating something magical with whatever we had. Those humble beginnings were filled with heart, determination, and an unwavering belief in what dance can do for a child.
As time went on, though, I began to feel a deeper calling — one that stretched beyond the limits of a franchise. I wanted more for this community. More inclusivity. More creativity. More freedom to build programs that served every body, at every age, and at every level. I wanted a space that reflected the values I held close: connection, belonging, empowerment, and growth.
That desire became the spark that launched Evolve Dance & Fitness Studio.
Today, Evolve has grown from a church community room with door mirrors to a thriving studio with beautiful wood floors, diverse programming, and a mission that truly represents the heart of our community. We now serve ages 0–99 with classes in performance, dance, capoeira, salsa, toddler movement, yoga, drama, drumming, fitness, and inclusive programming for dancers with disabilities. We’ve built strong local partnerships, expanded performance opportunities, and created a space that feels like home the moment you walk through the door.
I’m incredibly proud of where we started — and even more inspired by where we are today. Evolve is proof that with passion, resilience, and community, you can build something meaningful from the ground up. And this is only the beginning.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has been meaningful, rewarding, and full of purpose — but it definitely hasn’t been smooth. Building Evolve has stretched me in ways I never expected, both personally and professionally.
One of the biggest challenges has been starting with almost nothing and having to create everything from the ground up. We began in a church community room with door mirrors leaned against the walls and no real studio infrastructure. Every class required setup and teardown. Every new program meant figuring things out as we went. It taught me resilience, resourcefulness, and the importance of believing in a vision long before anyone else could see it.
Transitioning from a franchise to an independent studio brought its own set of struggles. Operating under a system that didn’t always align with the needs of our community was difficult, and navigating the legal, financial, and emotional weight of stepping out on my own was overwhelming at times. But it also pushed me to define who I wanted to be as a leader and what I wanted Evolve to stand for.
Another challenge has been balancing the many hats that studio owners wear — teacher, director, administrator, marketer, bookkeeper, custodian, conflict-resolver, event planner, and sometimes therapist. There were seasons of burnout, self-doubt, and questioning if I was doing enough. But every time I saw a child gain confidence, a teen find their voice, or an adult reconnect with joy through movement, it reminded me exactly why this work matters.
None of it was easy — but every struggle shaped the studio into what it is today. Those challenges pushed me to innovate, to advocate for my community, and to build a space that truly reflects the values of inclusivity, growth, and belonging.
Despite the bumps along the way, I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything. The road may not have been smooth, but it has been filled with purpose. And every challenge ultimately became a stepping stone that led me — and Evolve — to where we are today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At Evolve Dance & Fitness Studio, my work centers around creating an inclusive, judgment-free space where every body — from infants to adults — can move, express themselves, and belong. We specialize in both dance and movement arts, offering a unique blend of programming that goes far beyond a traditional studio model.
Our offerings include performance groups, toddler movement, capoeira, salsa, yoga, line dancing, drama, drumming, K-Pop, adaptive dance, fitness classes, and more. This wide range allows us to serve families, children, teens, adults, and seniors under one roof — making Evolve a true community hub rather than a single-focus studio.
I’m known for leading with heart, meeting students exactly where they are, and creating programs that are inclusive by design. Parents often tell me that Evolve feels warm, welcoming, and safe — a place where their children feel emotionally supported as much as they feel creatively inspired. I’m deeply involved in everything from choreography and programming to marketing, events, and community partnerships, which allows me to keep our mission at the center of everything we do.
I’m most proud of the environment we’ve built. We’ve created a space where:
– children who are shy find confidence,
– teens find community,
– adults rediscover joy in movement,
– neurodivergent students feel accepted,
– and families feel like they are part of something meaningful.
Watching students grow in ability, confidence, and self-worth is the greatest privilege of this work. I’m also proud of the partnerships we’ve built across Lake County — from performing at community events to collaborating with schools, farms, nonprofits, and local businesses. Evolve has become woven into the heart of our community.
What sets Evolve apart is our holistic approach to movement and connection. We are not a competitive studio. We don’t chase perfection or comparison. Instead, we focus on expression, confidence-building, adaptive learning, and creating deeply supportive relationships.
My goal has always been to build a place where people feel seen, valued, and inspired — and that’s exactly what Evolve has become. It’s more than a studio; it’s a movement, a community, and a home for anyone who wants to move, grow, and shine.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Risk-taking has been woven into my life and career for as long as I can remember. I’ve always believed that growth happens when you step into the unknown with a mix of courage and determination. My first major leap came in 2008 when I became an entrepreneur for the very first time. I didn’t have all the answers then — and I still don’t — but I learned early on that waiting for perfect conditions often means never starting at all.
That mindset has carried me through every chapter since.
One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was deciding to walk away from the comfort and structure of a franchise to launch my own independent brand.
Leaving a franchise — especially one with a built-in name and history — was terrifying. It meant trusting myself fully, rebuilding from the inside out, and putting my name and reputation behind something brand new. I had to navigate legal complexities, financial uncertainty, and the emotional weight of letting go of something familiar to make space for something greater.
But taking that leap led to Evolve Dance & Fitness Studio, a brand and mission that reflects my heart in a way the franchise never could. It allowed me to build programs for all ages and abilities, partner authentically with the community, and cultivate a space where everyone feels they belong.
My view on risk is simple:
Growth requires movement. Movement requires courage. And courage comes from trusting that even if the path is unclear, you’re capable of figuring it out along the way.
I don’t take risks recklessly — I take them intentionally. I calculate, I pause, I prepare, and then I leap. And every major step I’ve taken, even the scary ones, has led me to something better than what I left behind.
Being a risk-taker doesn’t mean being fearless — it means choosing purpose over comfort. And that’s exactly what has allowed Evolve to become what it is today.
Pricing:
- EVX Performance Group $65-75/month
- Drop-In Classes $10/class
- Capoeira $65-80/month
- Toddler + Me $40/month
- Special Needs/Homeschooling Programming $40-100/mo
Contact Info:
- Website: https://EvolveStudioFL.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/EvolveStudioFL
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/EvolveStudioFL
- Youtube: https://Youtube.com/@EvolveStudioFL
- Other: https://TikTok.com/EvolveStudioFL
