Meet Jerri Imhof, Owner & Director of Dance Elements

Please introduce yourself — who you are, your background, what service you provide?

Hi, I'm Jerri Imhof, the owner and director of Dance Elements in Pflugerville, Texas. I grew up dancing from the age of two and have loved dance ever since. I began my training in Southeast Texas and my teaching career at Sandy Calamia’s Danceworks in Groves, Texas, in 1997. I have been active in the competition and convention aspect of the dance world since the age of eight and won several awards as a competitive dancer including Dance Olympus, Miss Dance Finalist, Kids Artistic Revue, Miss Dance of Houston, and 2000 Headliner Dancer. I continue training annually by attending dance teacher seminars, workshops, and conventions. I moved to Austin in 2000 and began teaching at several Austin-area studios including Alisa's Dance Academy, Georgetown Performing Arts Studio, Let's Dance, and Allstars Dance & Gym Co. I graduated from McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas in 2004 with an accounting degree and worked for Ballet Austin before opening Dance Elements in 2007. I enjoy teaching different styles of dance, but I love teaching tap and acrobatics the most. I hold a Module 1 & 2 certification from Acrobatic Arts. I am also the Director of Spotlight Performance Company and have won multiple choreography awards. I enjoy judging auditions for high school and private studio teams. I am passionate about teaching dance and continue to pass on my love for dance to students of all ages.

How did you get started? What led you to this industry? Was it always the plan?

I started assisting classes at the studio I was training with and loved helping the preschool dancers. I knew in high school that I wanted to own a dance studio, so I spoke with the owner of the studio and she recommended I get a business degree. That is what led me to pursue a business degree in college; while I did that I continued to teach dance in the Austin area.

What do you love most about the work? What keeps you motivated and inspired day to day?

What I love most about my work is seeing dancers grow, not only in their technique but also in their confidence. I am most motivated and inspired when I see a dancer begin to believe in themselves, recognize their own accomplishments, and take pride in what they can achieve. Watching that belief turn into confidence, both in and out of the studio, is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching.

What's something people don't see or know about your industry?

The dance community is a small world where studio owners often know one another and collaborate behind the scenes. One of the biggest challenges of studio ownership is balancing the needs of three important groups: staff, parents, and students. Each group has different expectations and needs, and finding the right balance while maintaining a positive, supportive studio environment is an ongoing part of leadership.

What resources, tools, or support do you wish existed?

I would love more marketing support and practical resources to help dance studios connect with and engage their local communities. Ideas and tools for building community partnerships, increasing local visibility, attracting new families, and promoting the value of dance education would be incredibly helpful. Having more guidance on community outreach and creative marketing strategies would allow studio owners to focus on building meaningful relationships and growing their programs.

What do you want potential clients to know about you or your work?

What makes Dance Elements stand out is our commitment to combining high-quality dance training with a positive, supportive environment where every dancer has the opportunity to grow. We offer a structured, progressive curriculum that develops technique, artistry, discipline, and confidence while fostering a genuine sense of community. Whether a dancer participates recreationally or pursues more advanced performance opportunities through our Spotlight Performance Company, we want every student to feel valued, challenged, and encouraged. We believe dance training is about more than learning steps; it is about building confidence, character, resilience, and a lifelong love of dance. Our goal is for every dancer to leave the studio not only as a stronger dancer, but as a more confident person.

Your contact info and links are on your Maisaic profile, is there anything else you'd like to share with the readers?

We’d love to welcome your family to Dance Elements! We offer classes for dancers of all ages and experience levels. Registration for the 2026–2027 season is open now — mention Maisaic when registering for a $15 credit toward in-studio merchandise.