Pinewood Avenue Elementary students win Conga Kids dance championship as program marks 10 years 

At The Novo at L.A. Live last Thursday, a team of fifth graders from Pinewood Avenue Elementary School in Tujunga outperformed nearly 9,000 fifth grade students from across Southern California to win the Conga Kids Dance Championship, marking a milestone moment as the program celebrates its 10th anniversary.

The 10-student team emerged as the top performers among 99 participating elementary schools during this past school year. Community Magnet Charter School in Los Angeles placed second, followed by three schools in the San Gabriel Valley: Los Altos Elementary in Hacienda Heights, Janson Elementary in Rosemead, and Grazide Elementary in Hacienda Heights.

The annual competition is the culmination of a 20-week, in-school residency led by Conga Kids, a nonprofit that teaches social-emotional learning through dance, music, and sports. Students learn five partnership styles from cumbia, salsa, charleston, hip hop and Bollywood, alongside lessons in teamwork, leadership and respect.

“We teach social-emotional learning through dance, and that includes respect, leadership and teamwork,” said Conga Kids, executive director Barbara Garcia Vera. “We’ve seen students who are hesitant at the beginning grow into confident leaders by the end.”

Now in its 10th year, the program reaches nearly 60,000 students across 23 school districts in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Bernardino counties, many in underserved communities where access to arts education can be limited. Vera said the level of competition this year was especially high. “All the students knew the dance, and all performed really well – you had to look at the small things like technique, musicality and synchronization,” said Vera.

What set Pinewood apart, she said, was their confidence and connection. “They had showmanship and confidence, and you could see the bond they created with each other,” Vera said.

For Pinewood teacher Nancy Lemus, that bond was built over months of preparation that extended well beyond the classroom. Students practiced during recess, lunch and after school, and even returned during spring break to refine their routines. Lemus said the most meaningful difference came from the students’ own commitment. “They wanted to practice, improve, and took ownership of getting better,” said Lemus.

In addition to mastering choreography, Lemus coached students on performance elements such as facial expression, posture and connecting with the audience – skills she said translated into broader personal growth. “I’ve seen their self-confidence grow and their ability to show their skills in front of others,” she said.

The impact has extended beyond the competition team. At Pinewood, the program has sparked increased interest in dance and the arts across campus, with younger students expressing interest in participating and teachers incorporating performances into school-wide events. “There’s been an explosion of interest in dance,” Lemus said, noting that movement-based learning can also support coordination, memory and classroom engagement.

Educators say programs like Conga Kids can also contribute to improved attendance and participation by giving students something to look forward to during the school day.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond attended the championship, underscoring the program’s growing recognition at the state level. The event also honored several leaders for their contributions to education and community impact, including State Senator Lena Gonzalez, who received the Community Hero Award, along with district administrators and private sector partners supporting arts education.

“Mechanics Bank is proud to be a long-time supporter of Conga Kids as it’s a well-run organization that’s making a uniquely positive difference in many children’s lives across Southern California,” said Mechanics Bank President and CEO CJ Johnson, who received the Legacy Award.

As schools across California continue to navigate declining enrollment and evolving student needs, programs like Conga Kids are increasingly viewed as a way to engage students both academically and socially. “Dance is an outlet – it helps students build confidence, relationships and skills they can carry with them beyond the classroom,” said Vera.

For the Pinewood students who took the stage in downtown Los Angeles, that impact was on full display with a performance that did more than win a title, but reflected a broader shift in how schools are thinking about education – one where movement, culture and connection are part of the learning experience.