Miss Margene: Inspiring Generations Through Dance
Margene Conde: A Beloved Pioneer of Creative Dance in West Valley
Margene Conde, affectionately known as “Miss Margene,” has been a guiding light in the West Valley arts community, inspiring generations of dancers through her passion, creativity, and dedication. Her journey in dance began with training under the renowned Virginia Tanner, and she performed with the University of Utah Children’s Dance Theater until the age of 19. Driven by a love for movement and a desire to nurture young talent, she earned a degree in child development and modern dance from the University of Utah, laying a strong foundation for her lifelong commitment to creative dance education.
For fifteen years, Mrs. Conde has devoted herself to teaching dance, first in her home and, starting in 1984, in her own studio designed to accommodate a growing number of students. “After teaching creative dance in my home for nine years, I began turning away more students than I could take,” she explained. “I wanted a larger and classier setting for my studio, while maintaining the high level of quality I was used to.” .The studio that is really remembered is it’s Market Street location. Today, she instructs hundreds of dancers ranging from preschoolers to adults, a testament to her skill, enthusiasm, and reputation as a mentor at her Kearns location.
Mrs. Conde’s Creative Generation Dance Company has become a hallmark of West Valley’s cultural scene. Each year, the company presents concerts that explore inventive approaches to movement, often blending music, visuals, and props to help children discover the joy of dance. In 1987, the troupe’s concert, The Dreams of Children, paid tribute to Walt Disney, featuring 400 dancers between the ages of 3 and 18. Mrs. Conde choreographed the performances, inspired by everyday video images and encouraging students to explore movement as a personal form of artistic expression. She believes that while teaching routine dance steps is important, allowing students to create their own choreography is a “magical” experience that deepens their love of the art.
Beyond her studio, Mrs. Conde has contributed to the wider arts community as a member of the West Valley Arts Council. Her company has performed at notable local events, including the Triad Center’s Dickens Festival and the Salt Palace’s Festival of Trees, with the possibility of future appearances at Disneyland. While she occasionally performs with her dancers, Mrs. Conde finds her greatest joy in teaching, sharing her philosophy that dance embodies the freedom of music, the love of art, and the importance of a strong technical foundation.
Through her teaching, choreography, and community involvement, Margene Conde has left an indelible mark on West Valley City. She has nurtured talent, sparked creativity, and created opportunities for children and adults alike to experience the transformative power of dance.
3540 Market Street location before it was torn down.
Market Street has changed in the last few years
Miss Margene’s Creative Studio was originally located at 3540 Market Street—now the site of the seven-story Embassy Suites Hotel. Today, her studio continues to thrive at 3818 West 5400 South, just off Bangerter Highway, where Miss Margene still teaches hundreds of students each year, carrying forward her long tradition of creativity and excellence in dance.
