Meet Crystal Reiber

Spreading Joy and Serving Others One Dance Step at a Time

By Carly Agnew

Crystal Reiber’s story is one of boundless passion, unwavering joy, and a profound commitment to serving others. Her journey began on five acres in Post Falls surrounded by the sights and sounds of cows and horses. As a third-generation resident, Crystal inherited a deeply rooted love for her North Idaho home from her parents, Jan and Gary Briant, who spent their own formative years immersed in the natural beauty of the Hauser Lake area.

As a little girl, Crystal had big dreams of being a singer and loved dancing. She tried ballet but hated how the structure dampened her independent spirit. Crystal shares, “It’s a challenge just to learn dance steps with dyslexia.” Looking back, she admits, “I never would have dreamed I would own a dance studio, let alone two of them!”

A Legacy of Zest and Hard Work

Crystal inherited her parents’ zest for life and their wide range of interests. Her father is a proud veteran and retired federal land surveyor who held licenses in Idaho, Washington, and Montana. He has a passion for the outdoors, including camping and hunting, and loves dancing with his wife. Jan shares Gary’s love for camping and dancing, along with spending quality time with family, cooking nutritious meals, and engaging in friendly games. Although Crystal describes her mom as an introvert in most settings, she says her mother completely transforms into an outgoing butterfly the moment she steps onto the dance floor.

At a very young age, Crystal began to exhibit a strong entrepreneurial spirit. When she was just nine years old, she embarked on her first real business venture. She noticed that her neighbor, Agnes, had an orchard with a surplus of plums that was becoming overwhelming. Crystal offered to pick the fruit and then set up a stand at the end of Seltice Way. She spent her days selling fresh plums to passers-by, getting an early taste of initiative and community involvement. This experience served as a vital foundation for all her future endeavors.

A Heart for the Community

Crystal’s heart has always been drawn to the art of giving back to those around her. Throughout her adolescence, she continued to blaze her own trail by volunteering at church and immersing herself in the vibrant community of her local summer camp. Eventually, she assumed the role of head wrangler at Cocolalla Bible Camp. In the middle of those idyllic surroundings, she cared for nine horses and taught over 200 eager young riders each week. It was through these formative experiences that Crystal developed a profound passion for mentorship and fostering human connections. It was a love that would shape the course of her life for many years to come.

Crystal’s path took her down many unexpected roads as her desire to serve others continued to grow. She attended Moody Bible Northwest for one year and then immersed herself in volunteering. Transitioning into different roles, she dedicated seven years to home care, followed by two years as a receptionist. For nine years, she helped local families strengthen their connections between friends and relatives as a Creative Memories Consultant, achieving a recognition ranking in the top five percent of business owners in her field.

Passionate about the performing arts as well, Crystal found fulfillment as an acting coach and owner of Acting Center NW and served as president of the Film Alliance Northwest for several years. She has also been a clown and face painter for local community events right here in the Coeur d’Alene area.

Finding Her True Calling

Knowing the importance of emotional intelligence and effective communication, Crystal continued to hone her skills and sought out opportunities to make a difference in the lives of those around her. Along the way, she found herself drawn to the world of dance. This time, the passion stuck, and it ultimately became her true calling.

As the owner of Follow My Lead Studios, which has locations in both Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls, Crystal seeks to share the gift of movement with everyone she meets. Her studios offer social ballroom lessons that emphasize the importance of human connection and community. Crystal has a special knack for breaking down complex movements into bite-sized pieces that anyone can understand. She often explains to new students that her business is not a “Dancing with the Stars” type of studio. Instead, she focuses on helping people connect by gaining a better understanding of the principles of Lead and Follow.

For Crystal, dance is so much more than just a hobby or a job. It’s a passion, a calling, a way of life where she continues to encourage others. She adds,

“Life can feel like too much sometimes. For me, dance is a form of therapy, adding joy back into life.”

She explains it is a game-changer or rather, a “dance-changer,” with a chance for individuals to learn, grow, and face challenges alongside one another in a supportive environment.

The Endless Benefits of Movement

The benefits of dance are truly endless in Crystal’s eyes. She has seen balance improve and people find relief from depression through movement. Social skills are developed. Deep friendships are built. She has even seen businesses born and marriages turned around because of the connections made on the floor. She says, “The trickle-down effect is seeing people leave their stress outside the studio door. Our studios are designed to be a playground for people to explore, socialize, exercise, or even volunteer.”

In addition to her work in the dance world, Crystal is also an interior design consultant. She enjoys the challenge of transforming ordinary spaces into havens of beauty and functionality. Whether she is working on a cozy living room or a welcoming office, she sees each project as a canvas where she can unleash her creativity. Over the years, she has had plenty of fun design adventures, including planning two homes from the ground up and remodeling several others. She is particularly fond of her own condo, which she remodeled to have a Victorian farmhouse feel.

You can see some of her imaginative work at GreenTent Station in Coeur d’Alene. There, she blended historical planes, steam engine trains, and submarine elements with a medieval castle theme to create a truly unique office space, event center, and dance studio. It is a testament to her ability to see potential in the unexpected.

Rooted in Idaho

Remaining deeply rooted in her Idaho heritage, Crystal finds great solace in the warmth of our local community. “My neighbors are truly wonderful.” She loves the simple joys of local life, like fresh blackberries a neighbor shares and participating in community gatherings. “I’ve met the most delightful people from all walks of life. They're all so fun and friendly!”

Crystal looks forward to long walks and bicycle rides throughout her beautiful neighborhood. She loves being so close to nature as well as her studios. Whether you want to learn new skills, build your confidence through practice, or just have a great time, Crystal invites you to join her in experiencing the power of movement and connection. You can browse through the extensive list of classes and workshops at FollowMyLeadStudio.com and sign up to start your own journey today.

As someone who spends her life building bridges through dance and design, Crystal believes that every person she meets has something wonderful to share. She is often seen around Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls and she genuinely enjoys meeting new people from all walks of life. If you spot her out and about, be sure to introduce yourself. She is just as warm and welcoming in person as she is on the dance floor, and she looks forward to meeting more of her incredible neighbors.