Ramona Julian Academy of Dance Sweeps Competition

Senior Acro Team: Jail House Rock, front left to right: Erika Peterson, Holly Cetina and Rachel James. Back left to right: Alex Eckert, Kristen Peterson and Caitlyn Rieve.

By Laura Calverley

The Ramona Julian Academy of Dance finished its competition season May 21, winning gold trophies and first place in every event.

Sixteen teams from the Academy of Dance competed in the daylong Starlight Competition at the East County Performing Arts Center in El Cajon. One soloist won a prestigious platinum award.

Junior Acro Team: Little Deuce Coupe, front left to right: Brittany Swafford, Cortlyn Hatch, Brittain Cetina. Back left to right: Krista Williams, Shannah James, Tonya Downes and Jenna Pack. Photos Courtesy: Kristi Griffin

“It was an exciting finish for our studio and one of the best performances they’ve ever given,” said Kristine Griffin, owner of the dance studio.

The 48 dancers, ranging in age from 8 to 18, competed in various categories, including ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, acrobatics and hip-hop. In addition to the teams, two soloists performed in jazz and hip-hop, one duo tap-danced and one trio did a hip-hop number. Dancers from studios throughout California and as far away as Arizona and Nevada attended the event.

Similar competitions take place weekly throughout the state during the competition season.

Many other studios focus on preparing for and attending competitions, but the Ramona Julian Academy of Dance takes a different approach.

“We don’t consider ourselves a competition studio,” said Griffin, who has owned the Academy of Dance for 19 years. “We’re a technique studio. We go to the competitions to give the kids performing experience and see how they compare to the studios who concentrate only on competitions.”

Approximately 400 students take classes at Ramona Julian Academy of Dance. Dancers who compete usually attend three to five competitions per season. Some competitions are fairly intense, lasting up to three days.

“A few weeks ago we performed at a three-day competition,” Griffin said. “I was very proud of them. They did extremely well against some of the major competition studios.”

In addition to competitions, the Academy of Dance is involved in a wide range of community outreach.

“We have a noncompetition performing group, under the direction of Gwen Hernandez,” Griffin said. “The group performs at Fourth of July celebrations in town and in the Estates, the Ramona Fair in August, the Wild Animal Park and the Del Mar Fair. They visit community centers and senior citizens’ homes throughout the area, from Rancho Bernardo to Escondido. They also perform at school assemblies.”

The competition season is over, but the Academy of Dance is planning for its annual June Dance Recital, on Friday, June 24 at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road. Performances will be at 2 and 6:30 p.m.

“All students perform at the Dance Recital,” Griffin said. “The competition teams will also perform their numbers.”

Openings are still available for the summer season at the Academy of Dance, which runs from June 27 to July 29.

“We’re excited, because for the first time this season, we are offering rhythm, tap and hip-hop workshops and summer ballet intensive class,” Griffin said.

For more information about classes and schedules, call (760) 789-1711.