About Marlaina Schroeder Spivey
Founder/Director
Marlaina Schroeder Spivey has been involved in the world of dance for over 30+ years. As an award-winning choreographer, dancer, performer, instructor, and high school teacher with her Master’s in Education, Marlaina believes there is great power in dance, education, and self-expression. She founded MIDC to create a safe space where all students could come to learn technique, form life-long friendships, and enjoy themselves while feeling completely accepted, nurtured, and challenged.
About Marlaina Schroeder Spivey
Public Life
Marlaina earned her Master’s degree in Education from UC Davis, graduating at the top of her class. A respected local business owner, instructor, and community organizer, she has dedicated her career to empowering others through education and the arts.
She has taught for 17 years at River City High School, where she teaches biology and chemistry and serves as the department chair for 9th- and 12th-grade success programs. In that role, she helps students develop ten-year academic and career plans to guide them toward achieving their long-term goals.
Marlaina is also the founder and board president of the Inclusive Arts Alliance (IAA), a nonprofit organization that provides inclusive dance, music, and visual arts programs for individuals of all abilities. Through IAA, she advocates for accessibility in the arts and works to ensure that families of individuals with disabilities have access to the resources and support they need to thrive.
Having received multiple awards for her innovation and impact in education, Marlaina continues to be a passionate force for both individual growth and community success.
Personal Life
In 2020, Marlaina and her husband James welcomed their first beautiful IVF miracle baby, Aurora Rose, into their lives and the world of Mirror Image Dance Company. Aurora is now five years old—curious, inventive, and full of humor. She loves the outdoors, trucks and cars, swimming, running, and figuring out how things work.
In 2023, the Spivey family grew again with the arrival of Giannis, their second IVF miracle baby. Now two years old, Giannis is talkative, energetic, and caring—especially toward his big sister. He loves dance, swimming, gymnastics, dinosaurs, and anything with wheels. Together, Aurora and Giannis bring endless joy, laughter, and inspiration to their family and to everything Marlaina does.
…and in 2023, they welcomed “IVF Miracle Baby #2” Giannis!
“MIDC is much more than an award-winning dance company. We’re a supportive family who encourages one another to be the best versions of ourselves that we can be. Our Motto is ‘laugh, live, love, and dance.’ This is because we first and foremost want to remind dancers to enjoy themselves and laugh as often as possible. At MIDC, we view dance as a tool to teach the whole student. Yes, we teach technique, but we also teach self-love, dedication, commitment, excellence, and teamwork. It’s really important for our dancers to feel like they aren’t just going to dance class, but that they are enjoying themselves, having a good time with their friends, being the best versions of themselves they can be —all while learning technique from world-class instructors.”
- Marlaina Schroeder Spivey
