Today we’d like to introduce you to Dyan Lopez Fiamengo.
Dyan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When I was in college getting a Physical Education degree with an emphasis in coaching men’s sports, my cousin asked me if I would choreograph the dance section in her gymnastics floor routine. I said sure…. that was the beginning of my teaching career. I had been dancing since the age of 4 and had simultaneously played sports. Oddly enough the local park and rec. asked if I would teach dance for them. I had never taught dance before so I winged it. That was the beginning of my career…. can you do drill team…. can you choreograph fashion shows, can you choreograph field shows, etc. I always said yes and figured it out later. 27 years into teaching dance at 15 dance studios through ought the LA county, I was ready to open up my own studio with my daughter Breeonna.
My daughter Breeonna had just graduated from Palos Verdes Peninsula High school in 2011 and decided not to attend college and go right to work as a professional dancer. After a year of dancing in the industry, we decided to open up our own studio and we never looked back.
We were the best new business of 2014. I had an award-winning competition team called Electric Youth. When Breeonna started her own company, the Breeonna Fiamengo Dance company, they took over as top competition team at Elite. “Now known as Motion State”. Her team competed against some of the best dance studios winning top awards in choreography, technique, costumes, innovating, music, best music, etc.
At Elite, we offer classes in Jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, tumble, Contemporary, jazz funk, lyrical, children’s combo classes, boy’s classes, adult tap, and adult performance company. Elite has 6 competition teams as well as two song and dance companies. In my spare time I do commercials. I have a national Depend commercial running and an ad campaign as well as many TV guest appearances such as the Doctors, The Kardashian, Home and Family, infomercials, music videos, guest choreographer, master classes, etc. I have had the opportunity to perform with and for the Four Tops, Mandrel sisters, the Ink Spots, Cab Calloway, The Nicholas Brothers, Earth Wind and Fire, Harvey James and his Orchestra, was a WNBA LA Sparks dancer for the Ole Skool Crew for 8 years, The Queen Latifah show, etc.
Dyan brings her expertise in dance and physical education to her teaching. She has a passion to inspire, motivate, encourage each student to be their personal best.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Opening up a dance studio was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I would put in 14-16 hour days trying to get everything done, learning the ropes, making sure I was keeping up the demands of the industry. If I only had a dance studio and no competition teams, it would have been easier. However, it is very rewarding having competition and performance teams. The dancer has the opportunity to grow faster as a dancer because they are training at a higher level and taking many classes. The payoff for the dancer is gaining confidence and a skill that will carry on into adulthood. It is rewarding to see the journey of a dancer form 3-18. Many of my dancers are on Broadway, off Broadway, stage shows, choreographers, dance teachers at the local high schools, studio owners, and master teachers. This part of the job makes the rough and tough times rewarding.
Owning a dance studio takes a person that requires little sleep, has a strong backbone, doesn’t get their feelings hurt easily, and is flexible, knows how to deal with adversity, staff, hire amazing instructors, and patience. Things constantly change in the industry and one must be on their A game at all times in order to be successful.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Elite Dance studio started in 2012 with mostly advanced students. After 3 months we added recreational classes. We put on two shows a year for the dancer that just wants to take class, have fun and perform a few times a year. We do a Twisted Nutcracker… a unique holiday show, and a June showcase. The audience will get a high energy, wow factor type show when they come to an Elite performance. We merge recreational routines with hhigh-levelcompetition routines.
We are a well-rounded studio and offer all styles of dance. We are known for creating great turners and our tricks and turns class is one of our most popular classes. Our contemporary classes are a cut above. We have 9 levels of tap and train the dancers for Broadway. Our staff are cutting edge and the choreography that comes out of Elite is stellar. I have been teaching dance for 33 years and I am in aw of my staff and their ability to create the most unique routines that are jaw dropping.
Besides being a proud dance mama to all of my students who have gone on to do great things, I am most proud of my daughter Breeonna for creating amazing dancers and award-winning routines. She has exceeded my expectations. She is what sets us apart from other studios. Her work and many of my staff’s work is a cut above.
For all of those moms who love to dance and can learn choreography I have a group that is super fun and professional. they are over the age of 40-60. We have performed for Rona Barrette, Alzheimer’s walk, Depend Commercial, LA Sparks, LA Clippers, LA D’Fenders, Lakers, local amusement parks, local Parades, Hollywood Christmas Parade, guest appearances on channel 5, stage shows, etc.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was the life of the party. If they diagnosed children in the 60’s I would have been labeled ADHD. It’s been a blessing for me because I get more done than most. It wasn’t so fun raising me for my parents. Especially having three siblings that were quiet. There I was never stopped talking, never stopped moving and grooving. I require little sleep and I go go go. I always have three major projects running at the same time. I feel my day with from the second I wake up until I go to bed at 3 or 4 am. I do not feel productive unless I am going in a thousand directions. A typical day with Dyan, 7am at the hotel, put on a dance fashion show for charity with 500 in attendance, at 3 leave go put on a rehearsal for a major celebrity gig until 6, go to the theater at 8pm in LA, at 11 go to dinner….
In high school, I was cheerleader, on the basketball team, on the track team, head statistician for the men’s varsity basketball team, in 10 clubs, toured with the Carson Young Life singers performing on TV twice a year with a summer tour to the White House, Hawaii, performed at the World’s Fair in Spokane Washington where we opened for Pat Boon, was part of a church club and worked at the community Youth organization. I had more energy than 6 boys….by the way I beat every boy that I played a game of basketball “one on one” in Junior High….was awarded the most outstanding youth of the city of Los Angeles as a senior.
I am very outgoing and I am considered to be the fun crazy teacher that gets results fast in her students. Most of my students think I am funny especially the 3-year-old. I have always been driven and wanted to be the best at everything I did. I also played softball, modeled in a model’s club, played tennis, did tri-Athlons, and performed on the Jerry Lewis telethon as a teen.
Pricing:
- adult classes are 12.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 550 Deep Valley Drive suite 241 Rolling Hills Estates, CA. 90274
- Website: www.elitedancerhe.com
- Phone: (310)541-0099
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Elite Dance Studio
- Facebook: Elite Dance Studio
- Yelp: Elite Dance Studio
Image Credit:
Arlene DiJulio photography
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