Check Out Alexes (Lexe) Niekamp’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexes (Lexe) Niekamp.

Alexes (Lexe), we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Alexes (Lexe) Niekamp
A lifelong dancer trained in many styles and passionate advocate for the arts, Lexe Niekamp began dancing at just four years old. Growing up in a single parent household she heavily relied on scholarships to keep this growing passion alive. Dance quickly became not just a passion but her purpose, shaping a career that has allowed her to inspire and impact dancers of all ages and abilities.

Lexe is the proud owner and founder of Lessons by Lexe: Dance Studio, now celebrating its 10th season, and she also owns Quest Character Parties, a popular entertainment company she bought 8 years ago. Her choreography experience spans a wide range of styles and settings—from soloists and small groups to major production numbers, bridal dances, flash mobs, and public events. She is a former coach and dancer on an IFL pro dance team and has choreographed for community theatre productions, schools, and even the Prescott Police Department’s Lip Sync Battle. Most recently, she was featured in a music video with Grammy Award-winning group Arrested Development.

Lexe holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Human Behavior and multiple certifications in dance and community development. She also serves on the board of One Stage Family Theatre, a local nonprofit organization committed to accessible performing arts.

When she’s not choreographing or teaching, Lexe enjoys performing in local theatre, traveling, and hiking.

In September she is thrilled to be returning to Dancing for the Stars a local annual fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club, having choreographed her own piece and is excited to give back to her community through the spirit of dance.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I went through a time in my life where I felt like my background would hinder me from
succeeding. Raised by a single mother and being a minority, my mom found it crucial for me to
have an outlet that could allow me to express myself. Through a school that encouraged
learning using arts as a tool, I found out how to be a critical thinker, problem solver, community
servant and marketer of the life I lead today. As I worked towards my future in school, I was able
to learn that inclusion played a very important role in the beauty all life has to offer. In dance
club, practicing a lift, the color of your skin or household dynamic never mattered, we all came
together to accomplish the goal. There was a time in middle school that set me back when we moved from California to Arizona, starting a new school, with new friends, in a new state came with a lot of new obstacles. I learned quickly that some people were meant to be in your life for a season. With every story comes challenges and moments of adversity. My astrology sign is Leo and I am a Leo that loves very hard. I get attached and connected to people in my life and I truly believe that when people say they plan to be in my life forever; they were going to be. However as I have become more
experienced in life itself I have come to learn that every season is different, and in order to
continue to grow; not everyone was meant to be there. If I could give some advice to my younger self it wouldd be; Embrace the changes. The seasons of life are just like a tree, sometimes you may gain leaves,
loose leaves, or even bear fruit, but the most important thing that you will find out later in life is
how important it truly was to stay rooted in your own values.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As an arts educator for the past 13 years, facilitating and encouraging arts education at the
Boys and Girls Club, local schools, as board member for the non-profit, and also a dance studio owner.
Each if these experiences have given me the opportunity to witness many individuals finding their safe spaces and
thriving both academically and mentally through the arts.
Nine years ago, at nineteen years old, when I made the leap to invest in creativity at a grander scale it was hard for people to take a 19 year old business owner seriously. But staying rooted in my values; Integrity – perseverance – compassion I was able to establish myself and encourage more people to understand my brand despite my age.

Lessons by Lexe: Dance Studio offers classes for all ages and many different styles. Our mission is to bring out the inner lion- the
courage, stability, consistency and wild version of yourself to creatively move through the art of
dance. For so many, the programs that I offer are so much more than just an art form. These
programs help our students develop as individuals through the freedom of creativity, social interactions with other students, discipline, healthy lifestyle and leading with your heart.

The programs that I offer are the ones I needed most growing up.

I am proud to say that the studio has won multiple studio awards for best off over the years as well as acknowledgements across the state at dance competitions for the studio branding alone.

I’ve come to realize as I have stepped into this year (2025); success has started to look
a lot more like the commitment to continue to educate, build and value the dancers that I have been honored to work with as well as myself. I know that the more I grow from within and reflecting on my roots and values this has resulted in the
vision to continue to create a woman who can never be copied.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I have competed in Pageants. I competed for 7 years in the Miss America Organization and loved being able to inspire and impact while guest speaking at many schools across the state of Arizona. I also am the National Ambassador for the state of Arizona for the National Non-profit organization The Global Game Changers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lessonsbylexe.com
• Instagram: @lessonsbylexedancestudio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lessonsbylexe

Image Credits
Michelle Mills Photography