DECATUR - Jemel Washington has many fond memories of dancing at Studio B.

And the Decatur native made a few more this weekend.

Washington traveled from Jacksonville, Fla., to take part in a homecoming recital to honor the dance studio's 20th year.

"When I came back to the studio to just dance again, I felt like I never left," Washington said. "It has just been great to be back home."

Studio B alumni from across the nation returned to Decatur for the weekend performances at Millikin University's Kirkland Fine Arts Center.

Becki Sadomytschenko, Studio B owner, was pleased to see her former students.

"Most of them I've had since they were very small," Sadomytschenko said. "Just to be able to spend time with them all again, to see them all again, to share stories of things that have happened, it's just been incredible. Absolutely incredible."

Alumni returned from the Chicago suburbs, Florida, San Francisco, Tennessee and elsewhere for the recital.

Ages of dancers spanned from 3 to thirty-somethings, with about 275 dancers total.

"I wouldn't miss it," said Leslie Janik, who returned from Jacksonville, Fla. "Dancing was a huge part of my life growing up, and I haven't found anything like it where I am.

"This is like your other family. When you come here and you dance with these girls every single day for all those years, it's your family."

Janik is pregnant with her second child and is hopeful a new generation will continue to dance.

"I'm trying to convince my husband to let our son (start dancing)," Janik said. "I think he's more convinced after watching this show."

Letitia Chenoweth traveled from Plainfield to participate.

Chenoweth said she returned to Decatur for the homecoming because "Becki beckoned."

"We don't let Becki down," Chenoweth said. "She has been there for us since we were little; she's our second mom. It's not a question. You just come."

Sadomytschenko said the adult dancers serve as fine examples for the youngsters.

"They've been just the best role models these younger kids could ever have," Sadomytschenko said.

Mike Frazier can be reached at mfrazier@herald-review.com or 421-7985.