Being named one of the "50 Studios on the Move" in the 2006 Yearbook presented by Dance Spirit and Dance Teacher magazines is an honor, but for Temecula Dance Company owner Lani Morel, the basis for her company's nominations was especially meaningful.

"We are really excited that the competition companies that nominated us stressed how polite and kind our dancers are," said Morel. "They recognized us for how our dancers are going out of their way to just be good kids."

Being good kids is half the battle toward being nominated for the honor. Regional competition results, national competition results, prize monies won and choreography awards received are considered. Once nominated, judges gather additional information such as the company's activities in the community and structure of the studio itself.

"We had two competition companies that nominated us," said Morel. "We have done really well the past couple of years in competitions. Our dancers have been getting increasingly better, technically better. We are just thrilled to make the list."

Morel credits a large amount of TDC's recent successes on the hiring of artistic director Jimmy Peters.

"The biggest difference has been Jimmy coming on board four years ago," said Morel. "When he came on we revamped our entire curriculum. It has made a huge difference. We expect a certain work ethic from our dancers, in everything they do, in every class, every time."

Morel says another reason for the company's successes is ballet instructor Eva Zubicki, who came on board a few years ago after being transferred to the area. Finding competent instructors has long been a challenge for Morel, but she said she is very happy with the staff she has assembled.

"We have great instructors, we don't just hire teenagers off the street," said Morel. "It has always been a big challenge to hire quality instructors in Temecula because of our location. Most teachers who are still practicing their craft want to live closer to the bigger cities in which they will be performing. We have had to be really creative to make it worth their while for them to come here to teach."

Serving over 1,200 students on a weekly basis, making sure quality teachers are instructing all aspects of dance is important for the future success of competition teams. Morel says the familiarity the staff has with each other and the goals of the company have been crucial to its success.

"Having quality teachers means our dancers are getting excellent training," said Morel. "Now, it starts from the little ones; we make sure every student gets excellent technical skills that they can keep developing as they get older."

A quiet 'riot'?

Did I miss something at Saturday's Factory Freestyle Moto-X & Music Festival at The Diamond in Lake Elsinore?

Friends and co-workers began asking me Sunday evening about the "near-miss riot" allegedly reported in television news reports Saturday evening. I attended a good 90 percent of the event and aside from a short skirmish quickly quelled by Lake Elsinore police officers, the event seemed to be problem-free.

Local motocross legend and host Mike Metzger admittedly made a mistake by inviting fans to hop over barriers to get down to the infield for Guttermouth's set, but to his credit, Metzger quickly picked up a microphone after officers escorted the troublemakers from the premises and apologized for "being stupid and inviting everyone onto the field to have a good time."

It is a shame that the thrilling exploits of the riders flying and flipping some 80 feet into the air and performances by the aforementioned Guttermouth, the Vandals, and several other bands may have been overlooked in the television coverage of the event.

One can only hope that the small amount of negativity reported by the television news crews won't discourage Metzger from hosting the event again next year.

Staff writer Jeff Pack can be reached by calling (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2681 or by e-mail at jpack@californian.com.