Since 1974, The Looking Glass Studio Of Performing Arts has provided exciting and affordable Dance classes for the Inland Empire.

1986

The first "Looking Good" recital is held at the historic California Theater in San Bernardino. The recital showcases students progress while allowing them to work with a real stage crew in a professional environment. 

December 1996

The Studio has outgrown the small strip mall it occupies on E Street. Operations are moved to a two story building on Highland Ave. The massive building contained six dance studios, locker rooms, a theater, a recording studio, a scene shop, and an observation deck on the second floor for parents to watch classes.

Circa 2006

Ten years after the move, studio is the busiest its ever been. A student body of over 600 students is taking classes at the studio at this time. Over 4000 students have been enrolled at the studio since opening day.

October 29, 2017

The Looking Glass Studio holds its last "Looking Good" recital at the California Theater in San Bernardino. All future recitals are held at San Manuel Theater at Aquinas High School.

June 30, 2018

43 years, 7 months, and 26 days after opening, the Looking Glass ends operation in San Bernardino. With the help of long time friend Jeff Grande, a dance floor was built in the new space and all classes are transferred to the new location in neighbouring Redlands.  Ron and Glorias daughter, Kelly Allen Uminski takes over running day to day operations and teaching many classes. Ron and Gloria decide to retire and enjoy their days at their home in Huntington Beach.

March, 2020

Covid hit and day to day operations are paused. Kelly is faced with the challenging decision of whether to close the studio doors forever or pass it on to someone. Having been in talks about taking over the studio for a few years Kelly decides to offer it to former student Lieren King. Having so many fond memories and the studio practically being her second home growing up, Lieren jumps at the opportunity to continue the legacy.

During Covid, the student count dwindles down to about 30 students total. In June 2020, doors open again for in person and Zoom classes. In November 2020, the studio holds an intimate dance recital with about 60 students at a local community theatre location.

June, 2021

Having fundraised throughout the last year, Lieren is able to purchase a new dance floor to put over the existing one. This dance floor is multi-purpose and keeps the students dance shoes from getting torn up so quickly.

In September 2021, with about 80 students now enrolled, the studio holds another intimate recital at the local community theatre location having to separate the ages performances due to high demand of tickets.

January, 2022

The studio suffers a tremendous loss with the passing of original owner Gloria McMillan. Gloria changed so many lives in her time teaching at the studio and throughout her life in general. She helped shape the lives of every single person that walked through the studio doors. She always had an upbeat and positive attitude and was the friendliest face to see. To learn more about her life accomplishments click her name below.

Gloria McMillan

June, 2022

Reaching close to 100 students, the studio holds their first big dance recital since Covid. The recital is held at Redlands East Valley High School where the studio used to perform the Nutcracker for several years.

Knowing that the studio is growing and pushing the limits of how many students can be in each class, Lieren is on the lookout for another location. Randomly, she finds a perfect space only a few minutes away from the location on Brookside. With luck on her side, she is able to secure the location by the end of July and get started on turning it into their second location. With the help of one of the students fathers, as well as many donations from other students parents, the new space is up and running within one months time!

September 1st, 2022

The studio officially opens its second location with a dance floor that spans 40 ft long and 30 ft deep. That is the same size as the stage at Redlands East Valley High School. The studio is now running two separate locations with over 30 classes, including adult classes!

November, 2022

The studio is now at a student base of over 140 and is getting more and more calls every day for new students. Thus reinforcing the urgency and need for the second space that was able to be secured.

Wanting to provide more performance opportunities, the studio is taking a group of 20 dancers to Disneyland CA to perform in a parade down Main St USA. The studio is also preparing for more performances come 2023, such as NASCAR.

While the studio is growing and heading in an amazing direction, we are hit with some devastating news. Our former owner and life long friend to many, Kelly Allen Uminski, passes away from cancer. Kelly was an amazing light and spirit in this world and if you knew her, you loved her. She had an infectious smile, laugh, and positive spirit that could make anyone’s day. She loved the studio family deeply and poured years of wisdom and instruction into her students. We pray for the Uminski, Allen, and Cocking family as they navigate this tremendous loss.