Mr. Jim Kolb was the Director of Commercial Dance for more than 20 years and is beloved by the entire OCSA family. Anyone who has ever met him knows that he is extremely sweet, supportive and kind; he is also a very strong dancer.
As a sixth grade student, I came to OCSA to begin my enrollment journey. One afternoon, I visited campus and participated in a dance class with the middle school students. Afterwards, I stayed in one of the dance rooms and performed a few short combinations for Mr. Kolb. I wanted to go to OCSA badly and I was so nervous, but he looked beyond my trembling little legs and gave me a chance to have the amazing OCSA experience that I so desperately wanted. I am still extremely grateful for the life-changing opportunity, and for the following six years of teaching and support that he gave to me.
I am just one student impacted by Mr. Kolb in his long career as a dance educator. There are surely countless others. In order to get an overall look at his OCSA experience as director of the Commercial Dance Conservatory, it was my privilege to interview Mr. Kolb — here’s what he had to share:
How did you first hear about OCSA?
“Another dancer in the commercial dance industry recommended me to the director who was starting the program in 1988. In 1987, Dr. Opacic founded this after-school arts program at Los Alamitos with only one dance division. Eventually he saw the demand and need for an emphasis on commercial dance, which made sense due to the Southern California entertainment industry.”
How did you become the director of Commercial Dance?
“I started as an instructor, but eventually became an assistant director. After 10 years, I was hired as an interim director in 1998. After one year, I was asked to continue on as director to open the program on the new campus in Santa Ana.”
What did you see in the concept of OCSA that made you join?
“The concept of offering the students a ‘real world’ approach to the arts with instruction of the current trends as well as established methodologies. The breadth of instruction offers the students not just the training, but the tools of the industry — like audition techniques.”
What was your favorite part about working with the students here?
“Most of the students come with a sincere interest and passion for their art. I have loved seeing that passion grow and blossom in their dancing, and simultaneously watch as they grow into well-rounded, confident and successful young people. We get students in the crucial growth stages of their lives, so helping them maneuver through their ups and downs, their successes and disappointments, has been so rewarding to me.”
Why do you think that the school has not only survived, but continued to grow over the past 35 years?
“With the extraordinary fundraising efforts of Dr. Opacic and the Foundation, the school has been able to get through some challenging times to secure the campus. There is also an incredible resilience in the faculty and staff, not to mention their dedication and expertise that has made OCSA a top choice for arts training and superior academic instruction.”
Has OCSA lived up to your expectations from when you first began your journey?
“OCSA has far exceeded my expectations! With the construction of the new Dance, Music, and Science Center (DMS) building, the dance conservatories have been able to expand in ways that were unimaginable when I first began teaching in the cafeteria at Los Alamitos.”
Has OCSA been a part of your dreams coming true?
“Yes! The ultimate dream came true with the Marybelle Musco Dance Center, part of the DMS. I was so proud to be a part of this ever-growing arts educational institution with the sky as the limit of what we could achieve. This was a dream come true for me and my colleagues.”
What is it like to be a part of someone’s dreams coming true?
“I cannot express how deeply humbled I am to know that my 32 years with OCSA has been a part of the dreams of our dancers. When you hire the right faculty, provide the tools and support along the way, give students performance opportunities, enhance their creativity, expose them to guest artists and alumni — with all of their natural talent in tow, they are bound to succeed. Whether in a dance career, or as any professional able to confidently maneuver through their world with courage and sustainability. I relish in my students’ successes; I cheer them on and watch as they blossom into beautiful people.”
Mr. Kolb retired from his role in 2020. However, he continues to support the school and remains close to his OCSA family. He has made a significant mark on the history of the Commercial Dance Conservatory.
Mr. Kolb - Thank you for your many years of service as our director, dance teacher, confidant, mentor and friend!