46 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com While most businesses measure success in years. Tapio School of Dance & Gymnastics measures it in generations. As Tapio celebrates its 70th anniversary, the numbers tell part of the story. Thousands of children have passed through their doors. The school has occupied classrooms, recreation buildings, armories, storefronts and studios across Mount Pleasant. A timeline of addresses traces not only the history of a business, but the growth of an entire community. The most remarkable part of the Tapio story though isn’t where the school has been. It’s who keeps coming back. Take Jan Buckheister. She attended one of Tapio’s earliest classes as a child and has remained part of the school for more than 70 years. Buckheister later became an instructor and today you can still find her working in the office. Along the way, her children, grandchildren and extended family have all developed their own connections to Tapio. “The Tapios are my family,” Buckheister said. “Susan Breland (Tapio’s president and owner) and I grew up together. She was in my wedding, I was in her wedding, and I started teaching there when I was 13.” Many families first arrive looking for dance lessons, gymnastics classes, summer camps or after-school care. Years later, they find themselves back in the building as parents, volunteers, employees, instructors or grandparents dropping off another generation of children. Another one of these familiar faces is Mallory Smith. She began dancing at Tapio when she was just 2 years old and stayed through high school. Today, her sons attend Tapio The Tapio Timeline Generations in Motion BY ALLYAH HARRAR our town Mom Susan (2nd generation of Tapio) with her grandchildren Sara Wallace and Callahan (4th generation). Taken in 1996 when the Tapio building first opened their Long Point Road location. Tapio’s new studio opening in late summer 2026.
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