Inclusive Dance Studio For All Ages, Skill Levels Opening In The Bay Area

FREMONT, CA — A new dance studio will open Monday in Fremont led by an entrepreneur and a celebrated choreographer, whose recent journey battling breast cancer informs every aspect of the their approach to student care and artistic expression.

Bellissimo Dance Co. will open Monday in the Niles community of Fremont and is cofounded by entrepreneur Jessica Jimenez and choreographer Nicole Pagán.

“This isn’t just a studio opening,” Pagán told Patch. “It’s about giving back to the
community that raised me and creating a space where every student feels seen, supported, and
empowered to grow. This studio is dedicated to fostering creativity and confidence, mentoring
the next generation to thrive both on and off the stage.”

When Pagán was 3, she started taking swimming lessons next door to a dance studio. She recalled leaving the pool one day and the door was open to the studio.

“I began watching some older dancers. I looked up at my mom and said ‘I could do that.’ She signed me up. That’s that. Shout out to Darlene’s Dance ‘n Such and Darlene Castro-Easterling. My time there changed my life, she changed my life,” Pagán told Patch.

Pagán told Patch she quickly fell in love with dance and in her teens and early 20s she trained extensively in various styles such as ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary and tap, gaining teaching skills while competing and performing along the way.

Over the last 25 years she has taught hundreds of students while touring and competing at a professional level.

“I've always loved the balance of performing, creating, and educating. Bellissimo is the culmination of all those experiences, my personal and professional evolution in one place,” Pagán told Patch.

Dance is also what brought her and Jimenez together after Pagán and Jimenez’s brother danced in several companies over the years.

“Over time a cherished friendship has grown, one built on trust, free of judgement and honesty. I wouldn’t be doing this without her,” Pagán told Patch.

Jimenez, Bellissimo's business and operations lead, brings dance experience, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a passion for sustainable, community-rooted ventures. With over a decade thriving in Human Resources and Operations, she ensures Bellissimo is artistically impactful and a long-lasting part of the Niles community.

“We’re building something that lasts; a space where creativity meets structure, and dreams meet the support they need to grow,” Jimenez told Patch. “Bellissimo is about thoughtful growth, artistic excellence, and being a reliable, welcoming resource for families in the area.”

After years of shaping dancers at studios throughout the Bay Area, Pagán was inspired to create an inclusive environment where dancers can truly “bloom beyond limits,” she told Patch. Also as a recent breast cancer survivor, her journey informs Bellissimo’s approach to care and artistic expression.

“After navigating a difficult year filled with heartfelt conversations, especially with Jessica — my friend, business partner, and a former dancer herself — we began to see the potential for something great together. She was really my biggest motivator, and over time, the encouragement from those around us grew louder,” Pagán told Patch.

Bellissimo Dance Co kicks off its first season Monday with a schedule of offering for all ages:

• Youth Day Camps (Ages 4–10): Fun, imaginative, and movement-rich experiences designed to
  build confidence and creativity
• Tea Party Camp: July 21-July 25
• Sweet Tooth Jazz Camp: July 28-August 1
• Ninja Turtle Hip-Hop: August 4-8
• Dance Intensives & Master Classes (ages 6 and up): Open master classes led by
• Bellissimo’s teachers and guest artists in Ballet/Jazz, Contemporary/Tap, and Hip-Hop beginning July 21.
• Fall recreational classes and auditions: In addition to a full slate of recreational classes beginning this fall, dancers interested in joining performance ensembles or advanced programs are invited to audition on Aug. 1.

In the next five years, Jimenez and Pagán see Bellissimo becoming a well-loved part of the community, with a signature holiday show, a vibrant performance calendar, and a space that feels like home to dancers and their families.

“Years from now, we hope to see former students returning to teach, bringing their kids to classes, and continuing the legacy. I also dream of expanding our teacher training program, starting a college scholarship, and nurturing a generation of educators who lead with empathy, artistry, and heart,” Pagán told Patch. “Most of all, we want Bellissimo to remain a place where people feel seen, supported, and inspired to bloom beyond limits.”

Find out more info at their website.