
Elite Ballroom Academy
103 Legion Plaza
Columbia, SC 29210
803-960-8450 eliteballroomacademy@gmail.com

Meet Our Staff
Stefano is the third generation of passionate dancers, born in Rome, Italy. He began dancing in his parents' dance school at the age of 6, and at age 8 started competitive dancing with his first partner. At 16, he won his first Italian Championship, and at 17, he began competing internationally in Standard, Latin, and 10 Dance events. He won his first Italian 10 Dance Championship in that year.
During his years as a premier international competitor, he accomplished an impressive record of success in Italy, Great Britain, Germany, The Netherlands, and other venues throughout Europe. Among the most notable and recognizable successes are multiple Italian Championships in the Latin, Standard, and 10 Dance categories throughout his competitive years. He also accomplished significant results around the world at major international competitions He and his partner were also named to the “Top 12” pairs in the IDSF World ranking.
Stefano now turns his considerable talents to teaching, coaching, and choreography. While Stefano has enjoyed great success as a competitive dancer, instructor, coach, choreographer, and judge, he will tell you his proudest accomplishments are his two children, Anna and Cristian.

Stefano Placidi
Head Instructor

Jamie began dancing in 2009 and it has been a growing passion in her life ever since. Jamie always dreamed of dancing competitively and enjoys traveling and competing with business partner Stefano. Jamie manages the studio and is the go to person for booking lessons, or finding the answer to any question you may have about our services or upcoming events. She is excited to share her dream of ballroom dancing with the Columbia area.
Under the skillful guidance of teacher Stefano, Jamie currently holds the 2021 WDO World Ballroom Championship, the 2021 WDO World 10 Dance Championship, the 2022 NDCA World 10 Dance Championship, the 2021 and 2022 National 10 Dance Championship, the 2021 Rising Star Latin Championship and was a world and national finalist many times. Owning Elite Ballroom and perusing her love of dancing is a dream come true.
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Jamie is also a real estate agent with Home Advantage Realty.
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Jamie Barrett
Owner & Operator
A native of Columbia, SC, Erin received her early training from William Starrett, Mariclare Miranda, and Professor Susan E. Anderson. At the age of 16, she entered the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School's Professional Division, where she studied under Jacqueline Webber and Galina Yordanova. Upon graduation, Erin returned home to study at the University of South Carolina, training under Stanislav Issaev. In 1998 she competed in IBCs in Jackson, Mississippi and Varna Bulgaria, where she was a semi-finalist. Erin danced professionally as a principal with Columbia Classical Ballet. Currently, Erin is an Adjunct Ballet Instructor for the University of South Carolina Department of Theatre and Dance, Board Member of USC Dance Company, Company Teacher for Columbia City Ballet . Erin holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of South Carolina.
Erin and husband train and compete in International Ballroom and Latin with Stefano have have won many awards in competitions around the country.

Erin Jaffe Gardner
Ballet Instructor

We're excited to welcome a new and highly talented instructor to our ballroom dance studio - Harby Gonzales, an accomplished Argentine Tango dancer with a rich background in performance and teaching.
Harby brings a deep passion for tango and a dynamic teaching style that is both inspiring and approachable for dancers of all levels.
Harby Gonzales - Argentine Tango
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Katie Page is thrilled for the opportunity to use Elite Ballroom for a drop-in, budget friendly dance experience for all experience levels! The first ever graduate of the University of South Carolina’s Dance Education Program, Katie feels blessed to have inspired dancers through movement in the public school system, musical theatre realm, and studio scene in Columbia since 2005. The heart of Revival matches its name; to Revive a love of dance in adults who grew up dancing while also fostering a safe space for adults who are curious to learn. In ALL the ways
