Instructors
Amy Arriaga
Instructor / Owner
Amy is originally from the Bay Area of Northern California. She received her education in dance starting at the age of 4 and started to take it seriously by the age of 8. She trained in all styles Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Breakdancing, House, and Freestyle from Dance Attack under the direction of the late Sioux Lehner. By the age of 14 she earned a role on a tv pilot which highlighted a dance competition hosted by Carmen Electra and Jamie King. She performed in numerous half-time shows for the 49er's, and Stanford football Teams. She also performed with the Lakers and Kings cheerleaders for Santana. Amy has trained from numerous Choreographer's such as, Mia Michaels, Dee Caspary, Mandy Moore, Wade Robison, Mark Meismer, and Jackie Sleight. At the age of 15 Amy started working as a professional dancer at Great America theme park. She performed one season at the Paramount Theater and the other at Nickelodeon Studios. Amy was involved with several companies while she continued to compete all over the Bay Area. At the age of 18 Amy started teaching for Dance Attack. Amy's passion of Choreography and the joy of teaching formed immediately. She knew this would be the avenue she would use to continue her dance career. At the age of 20 she made the decision to move to Montana with her now husband Joe to pursue her dream of owning her own studio. After moving to Montana Amy taught at various locations throughout the valley. In 2008 Amy and Joe opened Dance Elements. Amy loves teaching and mentoring all of her students. She is truly passionate about every child that walks into her studio and wants them to grow and mature into hard working individuals! Amy's goal is for Dance Elements to be a place to feel safe, nurtured and more than anything to feel like Family!
Mila Baker
Instructor
Mila Baker began dancing at a young age in Miles City and she added to her love of dance with the sport of Cheerleading. Mila went on to be a member of the Montana State University Dance team while earning her Elementary Education degree with a Dance Minor. Mila coached the MSU Dance team for 1 year and then coached the Belgrade High School cheerleaders while teaching second grade and kindergarten. In 2004 Mila and her husband moved back to Miles City and opened Studio M Dance Company, offering recreation dance classes, tumbling classes, fitness classes, as well as, competitive Dance and Cheer Teams. While in Miles City she also coached the CCDHS Dance team and taught at two local gyms. In 2014, The Bakers moved to Kalispell for Joe’s job with the Montana National Guard. Mila started teaching at The NWB school in January 2015. Mila is still currently teaching Happy Feet, Ballet and Cheer classes. She is also a fitness Instructor in the valley. Mila has served on the Montana Dance Arts Association Board as Secretary and President. Mila enjoys supporting her 4 kids in all of their dance, cheer, and sports. Mila has a deep love and appreciation for dance, in all styles, and loves sharing that with her students of all ages.
Anna Elm
Instructor
Anna Elm was born and raised in Whitefish Montana. She began dancing with Dance Elements at the age of six. Anna has been a part of several companies, including: Mini Elements, Lil Elements, United, Collide, Elite, Jr. Movement, and Movement. She has traveled to Portland, Vancouver, Coeur d’ Alene, and Los Angeles, to attend various dance conventions and competitions. She has trained in Hip Hop, Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, and Contemporary. Through her passion for dance, she has discovered her love of teaching and choreographing. In recent years, she has choreographed several performance pieces for herself and others. Over the last eleven years, the people at Dance Elements have become her family. She is excited to share her love and passion with young dancers around the Flathead Valley. Getting the opportunity to teach is a dream come true, and she cannot wait to see where it takes her!
Ellexa Hofeldt
Instructor
Ellexa Hofeldt is primarily from Montana, where she began dance at her grandma’s dance studio at the age of 2. After attending studios in Boise, Idaho and various others around Montana, Ellexa trained at Dance Elements, and Feat by Feet for 7 years. During these years, Ellexa danced in companies, Jr. Movement, Movement, and Collide, training with Amy Arriaga and Kate Neumann. At Feat by Feet, Ellexa trained with Ashley Smith, serving as company captain for two consecutive years. During Ellexa’s freshman year at Montana State University, she danced with the MSU Dance Team, performing at many Volleyball, Football, and Basketball games. For the past 4 summers, Ellexa has been an instructor for Summer Intensives at the Studio of Dance and Arts in Havre, Mt. Working under the direction of her Grandma, she teaches technique and develops choreography for solos, duos and group competition pieces. This opportunity has allowed Ellexa to find her passion in teaching and creating movement through choreography, which she is so excited to continue at the studio that has become family to her. Dance Elements holds a special place in her heart, and she cannot wait to create and discover movement with dancers who share the same passion as her!
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Kate Neuman
Instructor
Kate Neumann is a Dance Elements Alumni. She was born in the Flathead Valley along with her Husband, Isaac, and new baby boy, Titus, as well as her 7 siblings. Training in Hip Hop, Breakdancing, Jazz, Lyrical/ Contemporary, and Ballet. Competing and Performing with Dance Element’s companies Collide, Movement, and Elite. After High School, Kate took her Dancing abroad and began studying styles like African, Modern, Swing, Salsa and Ballroom. She trained at Mad Dance House and Youth With A Mission in Brisbane and Tokyo. She also danced and taught in other cities in Australia and Japan, as well as here in the Flathead Valley. Since then Kate has trained in Sacramento, Seattle, L.A., and Denver. She started teaching in 2017 at Dance Elements. Both Amy and Joe have helped provide many opportunities for her to teach, train and choreograph. Her Passion for Teaching, Training and Choreographing has only continued to grow over the past few years. Her pure love for dance has remained constant. She loves Working with Dancers of all ages around the Valley and is grateful for the experiences that have shaped the dancer that she is. The opportunity to mentor and possibly impact the upcoming generations is an honor for her. She strives to help make a safe place for people to come and release energy and emotions, and make memories. She truly believes dance is healing and enjoys watching kids discover the freedom it offers. Kate is thankful and excited to get back in the studio and help foster creative minds.