In Their Element: Local Dance Studio Waltzes Away With National Titles

The Element Dance Center of La Mesa recently topped the charts when its dance troupe of 28 students packed their bags for Panama City, FL, to compete in the Kids Artistic Revue national finals―and came back with suitcases stuffed with 14 first-place awards.

“We really just won everything; it was really fun and amazing,” said Michelle Pinnix, mom of dancer Carissa and the trip organizer. “For a little dance studio like ours to have success like this is a big deal.”

The troupe competed in several categories for varying ages, from soloist performances for dancers eight and under to trios and large groups for teens. The Element won a total of $7,000 under the direction of studio owner and choreographer Erika Leedy-Montandon and choreographer Kevin Hermann―a sum Pinnix says is distributed among the performers.

Among those who placed first are:

• Jamie Mittleman - Top Primary Solo 8 and under
• Katie Crawley - Top Primary Solo 9 - 11
• Alyson Hibbard - Top Primary Solo 12 - 14
• Caitlin Baum - Top Secondary Solo 12 - 14
• Amanda Ocampo - Top Intermediate Solo 12 - 14

But it wasn’t all work and no play.

“We got to spend time at the pools and the beaches as well, so it was kind of like an added vacation for everyone,” Pinnix said.