(Click on a dancer image for biography then feel free to scroll down to find out more about each dancer)

Ella established Element Dance in 2005 with founder members Emi and Eneyi. Ella is the Director and Choreographer for Element Dance. Ella was a Passista in Rio 2006, and won third place in the Coburg ‘Rainha da Bateria’ Competition 2008 (European samba Festival), and 1st place for London School of Samba’s ‘Rainha Da Bateria 2008’. Ella’s choreography recently won her first place at the European Reggaeton Championships.

Born in Kent, Ella began her love of movement with gymnastics, before discovering contemporary dance at college. Ella worked her first semi professional dance jobs as a Salsa and Samba dancer in Bristol, before moving to Leeds to study. Whilst studying, she began to work teach, choreograph and promoting the Luso Brazilian Society, Leeds, and set up their first shows at the University. Upon completion of her degree, Ella apprenticed as a dancer for M and Em dance Company (Merville Jones- founder Phoenix member), specialising in Contemporary, Reggae, and Jazz Dance. Ella also set up her own Urban Latin Dance Company- Element Dance in 2005.

Ella then danced, trained and lived in Brazil, performing with Circo Piccolino in Salvador, Brazil (combining dance with Aerial and Acrobatics) and in 2006, was invited to dance as a Passista (This is an audition only role not usually open to gringas in Rio de Janeiro Carnival).

In 2007, Ella moved to London to train at the Laban, London, (Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz), bringing Element Dance with her, and, with the help of the Element Dance Northern dancers, keeping the Northern Element Dance group going too. Ella is interested in a wide range of dance styles and is also continuing her own training in Salsa, Capoeira and Hip-Hop dance styles (especially Breaking) (And of course never forgetting her love for Samba and Reggaeton). Ella has also been granted a scholarship to study Circus skills (Aerial and gymnastics) at the Circus Space, London, and recently took her first Capoeira Grading in London. Since arriving in London Ella has worked for many fantastic associations including Rhythms of the City, London School of Samba, Mark Summers, Fuse Dance Company, Susana Montero.

Ella’s performance achievements include shows in India, Denmark, Serbia, Finland, Brazil. Venues across the UK (including Saddlers Wells, The Place, Bonnie Bird Theatre, Guanabara, The NME Awards, Blackpool Congress, UK Congress, NEC, Bar Salsa, The Jazz Cafe, Arsenal Footbal Stadium (Brazil Vs Italy), Wembley Stadium, the recent Nescafe Salsa Advert and many more.) Ella recently won third place in the Coburg ‘Rainha da Bateria’ Competition 2008 (European samba Festival), and 1st place for London School of Samba’s ‘Rainha Da Bateria 2008-9’. Ella’s choreography for Element dance also won first place in the European Reggaeton Championships 2007. Ella has undergone teacher training with the National Dance Teacher’s Association (NDTA) and is a qualified Aerobics Instructor. She has taught for organisations including ‘Birmingham Royal Ballet’, ‘The Yorkshire Dance Centre’, ‘The DanceXchange, The London School of Samba and more.

Ella’s most significant dance teachers, mentors and people to whom she gives praise include; Militsa Stojanovic (Rebelado), Merville Jones (M and Em), De Napoli Clarke (RJC), Michael Pottinger and Mauricio Reyes (Latin Motion), Hagit Yakira, Julia Gleich and Genevieve Grady (Laban), Jenny Wren (Slanjayvah Danza), Arnaldo Oliveira, Susana Montero, Joseph Davids, Kwikstep and Rockafella and Iris De Brito.

Daniella

Danielle Byars was born in Leeds and currently resides and works in the city. She attends York St John University in the city of York where she is studying towards a degree in Performance: Dance.Danielle began dancing at around the age of nine. Between high school and further education Danielle began her pursuit training in dance, studying Dance A-level alongside courses in Drama and Sociology. Throughout her A-level course Danielle gained experience and training in various Contemporary Dance techniques and training in Hip Hop and Ragga with Pako (So Kool International Hip Hop Organisation) and Reggae with David Hamilton (Regeyeshun Dance/ Founder Phoenix Member) outside of college.Danielle works as a freelance dance artist-teaching dance to both young people and adults in a variety of settings including; fitness centres, primary and secondary schools and evening dance clubs. The different educational organisations Danielle has worked and taught for include: Get Moving!, Connecting Youth Culture, Drumming4Business, Ralph Thoresby Community Arts College, Leeds City Council and more.Danielle has performed as part of numerous projects exploring various dance styles. Some of her biggest achievements include performing at York Theatre Royal as part of Dansopolis and performing in The Bob Marley Project and Heart Beat Riddim Chant at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. Danielle has performed at various events in other cities including Wigan, Manchester, Newcastle, London, and Birmingham and also in other countries: Club Mambo Copenhagen, Denmark. Teatro de Almada, Lisbon, Portugal, Crowne Park Plaza, New Delhi, India. Danielle’s most influential teachers include: David Hamilton (Regeyeshun Dance), Beth Cassani (Cassani Dance), Rita Marcalo (Instant Dissidence), Helen Whinfield, Dora Frankel (Dora Frankel Dance), Francsico Almeida (So Kool) and Ella Peck (Element Dance).From September to December 2007, Danielle studied dance in Lisbon, Portugal as part of her degree course, here she undertook training in a variety of styles and has returned to the UK with further skills to utilize through teaching, choreography and performance.Danielleis now running the Element Dance Leeds Group, and working closely with David Hamilton in her true love, Reggae dance.

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Ashleigh Brasilieira

Dancing has always been the love of my life! Since a young age there has always been music playing in my house. My parents have a great taste in music and I was lucky to be brought up with a rich mix, from soul to reggae, pop, mo-town so I suppose it was only natural for me to love dancing to it!

Performing for me first started on Sundays when I was about seven. Next door lived a lovely old lady called Edith and like clockwork every Sunday lunchtime she would hold a tea party for her friends. Anyway, I would make up routines and drag my reluctant sister round to perform for them. Our audience thoroughly enjoyed their regular shows and this was my first taste of being in the spotlight!

In 1998 a family friend decided to set up a drama group to keep children in our area off the street. The group became known as ‘Paddock Young Performers’ and this probably fuelled my desire to perform more than anything. The group would do a yearly show involving dance, drama and song, my first role being ‘Dorothy’ from ‘The Wizard of Oz’! it was great fun and soon the shows grew extremely popular, attracting more and more children. At this time I was only 13 and given the role of choreographer, but thrived at the challenge of creating my own steps. I worked and performed with PYPs for 5 years and was so proud of what I had already achieved at such a young age. Leading on from this I joined KYPAC, another drama group but for adults and older children. The cast were fab and I stayed with the group 3 yrs performing some really enjoyable and rewarding shows such as ‘Chorus Line’, ‘The Wiz’ and ‘Smokey Joes Café’.

Around the same time as I began choreographing, I started taking disco, rock n roll and Latin lessons at ‘York Dance Studios’, Huddersfield. Things progressed quickly, and I was asked to audition for one of the formation teams and got a place. We would regularly travel to regional competitions where our school would compete against the North East to secure a place in the prestigious national finals at Blackpool Winter Gardens. Our school have always performed excellently and through the years I have been placed 6th in the country for my individual freestyle, won various awards in pairs and one year came 1st in England with my formation team ‘Panache’. Although I don’t compete anymore, I still help teaching pupils at our new school, ‘BodyRockerz’ and also help out with the Latin social dances held on an evening; also I will shortly be training for my official dance teacher’s examination.

Things for me began to get even better and from the two proudest achievements I have so far in life, this next one is one of those. By 2004 I was heavily into my dancing, studying it at college and teaching or performing it in my free time. I had realised this was something I could do well in if I worked hard enough and started taking lots of other classes such as street and going to auditions, one of these being a competition in Leeds to promote the film ‘Honey’. Well, I went not really sure if I dare enter until my friend persuaded me we had come so far to not have a go. It paid off too! I won the competition and won a trip to new York plus a free dance lesson at the famous ‘Manhattan Motion Dance’. I was gob smacked! The trip was excellent, exciting and made even better as I could share the experience with my mum and best friend, a trip none of us will forget!

The other proudest achievement? I was still studying for my A levels in 2005 but my feet were itching to dance not to be under a desk! In April a good friend Bly said there was an audition for a dance programme on Trouble TV called ‘Bump n Grind 2’ and he was going to try out and I should too. And at this time street/hip hop had become a style I was really into and it seemed silly not to give it a go. So I went along thinking I wasn’t at all ‘street’ enough and spent the whole day dancing through various competitive heats, in front of the panel of judges. Eventually all my hard work paid off and I made it past hundreds of dancers to the final 12! We all relocated to London, six lived in the ‘booty camp’ and the other six lived in a 1.7m penthouse suite training with Kevin Adams, fortunately I was one of the latter six! We trained non-stop everyday for two weeks in all styles, Lindy Hop, Ballet, Jazz and obviously a lot of street/hip hop. After this four were voted out, one of those being me but the upside to the story is Bly won! The experience was the best, intense, emotional, draining but amazing and most importantly, I felt I had really progressed as a dancer.

Since then I audition frequently, often travelling across the country to seize opportunities. I’ve done lots of things I’m proud of, lots of corporate work, dtreet/70s shows and although every audition isn’t a success one, each time I learn something new from it and continue to improve. I am now a member of Element Dance and joined after meeting Ella at an audition. I have yet to perform my first gig with the group but cant wait as the mix is so great, ace music, hot costumes, what more could you ask for! Most importantly, I am still performing and feel so lucky to work with such lovely people and to have had the experiences I have had. In one sentence, I am truly blessed.

Ama Rouge

I have loved dance for as long as I can remember! I was forever putting on performances for family members, willing or otherwise they would have to sit through my dance pieces choreographed to Nuttin Nice - Froggy Style, Foxy Brown and Case, TLC etc. etc... the list is long people. I think I am genetically pre-disposed to LOVE dance, and all it's simplicity and wonder.

Though my love of dance has fostered for many years; I am a late starter and only really began dancing a couple of years ago. Samba being my first choice of dance - or rather it chose me. This is how I met Ella, she was the samba teacher. Although we had been attending the same Uni, it was Samba not our degree that connected us. I sambaed my way through the North of England with Samba D'Oxum (Ella and Eny) and eventually had to move back home to London.

I am now learning Adult Ballet, samba with Paraiso School of Samba (Notting Hill 2006) and try to attend as many dance classes as possible; ranging from African to Hip Hop.

Ama is now studying a dance foundation at Kensington and Chelsea College, and performing with Element Dance.

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Christina Rios

Chris began dancing at the age of 3, constantly taking on new challenges into her teens including training at London Studio Centre summer school, gaining honours in Classical ballet and performances at Breeze Festival and Blue Peter. This was when she realised dance was more than a hobby...it was part of her.

Her first taster of Latin dance came in the form of salsa. She instantly fell in love with it and became an addict moving from total beginner to the advanced class in a couple of months. She had found a new passion; she loved the music, the style and the culture.

After completing an A-Level in Dance Chris moved to Liverpool to study for a Dance degree majoring in performance and choreography. At university Chris’ depth of knowledge of dance, developed to a professional level which deepened her understanding of the art. Additionally she took a Certificate of Professional Development in jazz dance while she continued training and began to teach salsa.

Since graduating Chris has been working as a freelance dance artist performing and teaching all over the UK and overseas. Dance has taken her from a summer season touring the island of Corfu to entertainment for New Year celebrations in Abu Dhabi. Chris also regularly performs for Universal Dance Creations and Fantasia Dance in addition to her own freelance work including TV appearances on T4 and ITV.

Chris is an experienced teacher having taught all over the UK in a variety of styles for Yorkshire Dance Centre, UDC, Streets Alive, Dance for Life and Liverpool John Moores University. She is also an accomplished choreographer having created staged works throughout her time at university and choreographing for professional works including UDC, Divas, Miss England Fashion Show and Cornucopia Ltd.

She was asked to join Element Dance in early 2008 after taking Dani’s samba and reggaeton classes in Leeds and so far has loved every minute! “Samba takes you to another place and evokes something inside you can’t describe while reggaeton allows you to express your inner attitude!”

Chris looks forward to continuing her career and journey in dance and she remains truly grateful to those who have inspired her along the way so far.

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Mami Xula

I first started dancing when someone introduced to salsa when I started at University of Leeds in 2001. After three and a half years of just salsa, I followed a friend to a samba rehearsal (led by Ella), and found myself performing with Luso-Brazilian Society just two weeks later – my first performance of many.When I moved back to London in 2005 I was keen to continue dancing, and so joined Paraiso School of Samba and danced with them in Notting Hill Carnival (2006). However, I found myself following the same friend to a samba rehearsal with London School of Samba in April 2007. They happened to be auditioning for the Performance Group that day, so I took my chances and was immediately accepted. Since then I have been a Passista with the London School, and have danced on many occasions with them.

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Lisa la Rubia

Lisa WelhamLisa was born in Hull, East Yorkshire and for many years studied Ballroom and Latin American dance. In 1994 Lisa won the IDTA Medallist of the Year Ballroom and Latin Championship and the Latin Championship again in 1995.
At 16, she went to The Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD), graduating in 2002 with a First class BA honours degree and the Armees prize for overall highest degree mark. She performed with NSCD’s Verve both in the UK and in Germany. In 2002 Lisa joined Phoenix Dance Theatre performing extensively in the UK, USA, Greece, Holland and Portugal for over five years, working with many choreographers including, Darshan Singh Bhuller, Robert Cohan, Javier De Frutos, Rui Horta, Jeremy Nelson and Didy Veldman. In 2007 Lisa performed Jane Dudleys famous solo ‘Harmonica Breakdown’ at the Dance History festival in Pontin, Paris and later that year she joined the Henri Oguike Dance Company where she toured the UK and International festivals for a season.
In the summers of 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008 she worked with various choreographers on the Roda project including Douglas Thorpe and Andile Sotiya. Lisa has also worked as a freelance dancer with the White Group in Edinbrugh and is very excited to be joining BDC (Bonachela Dance Company) in April 2009 for their next project.
Lisas Commercial contracts include a Seven Seas advert, Strictly Come Dancersize DVD 2007, a Micha Bergese production Aerial performance, backing dancer at a ‘Blue’ concert, Samba and Reggaeton performances with Element Dance Company including at ‘Move It’ London 2008, Jazz shows with Hairy Lemon and A List lookalikes, Leeds and many many more.
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Sofia Lorena

Hola people!!
....Let me introduce myself....

I was born in the UK but have had the invaluable experience of living in different countries; Barcelona, Spain, Athens, Greece and Pathos, Cyprus. I love learning about different cultures and meeting people from all over the world. I am generally a happy person (a bit of a clown sometimes) who loves having a good time. My greatest passion after dance is food! Especially chocolate!

...Let me introduce my other world...DANCE

I consider myself a versatile dancer. I treat dance as an art form of personal expression!
I love learning different techniques and styles in order to add variety of flavours to my dancing...I am currently into House Dance, reggaeton and African- contemporary styles....
It is so much fun to perform with Element Dance company and I can’t wait to perform again in future shows!

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Jo De Santana

Jo’s strong passion for dance was realised whilst training at Laines Theatre Arts, where she studied Ballet and various styles underlying Jazz, which gave her numerous performance opportunities. It was here that she decided to follow the path of a Dance Artiste’s career.
Jo first discovered Contemporary dance, whilst training with Surrey Youth Dance Company in 2002, where she learnt valuable experience through intense workshops on developing skills for choreography and improvisation, performing more site specific and theatre works. She went on to gain a Btec National Diploma in Performing Arts at the Brit School, where she also starred in the Brit School documentary, following the lives of the Brit students on CBBC. Jo gained many performing opportunities whilst studying at the school such as Queen Elizabeth Halls, The Barbican, and many school shows.
Alongside her studies, Jo took a stronger interest in Hip Hop, for its musicality and high demand for optimum performance qualities. She had the great opportunity of working with companies led by some of the best contemporary/hip hop choreographers and directors in UK such as Avant Garde, X.D.C and Dance 2xs U.K, which involved intense rehearsals and exciting performances such as Choreographers Ball, Collabo, Kidz take Kontrol, and Chicago - Urbanite ’07. Jo also enjoyed working with Rambert Youth Dance Company where she was able to hone technique, and perform work that reflects Rambert’s high artistic standards.
Jo is currently developing her artistic flare and desire to dance in a, Ba Hons Degree Course at Laban Contemporary School. She hopes that she will continue to be inspired and inspire others throughout her journey. Jo is looking forward to developing and sharing her knowledge of Samba and Reaggaton, gaining hard working, fun memories with Element Dance in the foreseeable future.
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Leticia

My passion for dance began from an early age, being introduced to Ballet, Jazz and Tap through my local dance school. Having gained great enthusiasm my journey took me to The BRIT School of Performing Arts where I undertook a BTEC National Diploma in Dance as well as A level Dance. Studying at The BRIT School was an amazing experience. As well as training in Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz and Tap, it opened my eyes to other techniques including salsa, lindy-hop, hip hop and physical theatre.

Alongside my studies I was also part of Laban Youths Dance Company from 2003-2006, in which I gained experience as both performer and choreographer. Performances include works at The Royal Festival Hall, Trafalgar Square, and a site specific work at the National Gallery Museum.

My experiences within the company led me to discover my love for contemporary and guided me to my training at LABAN. The BA programme has broadened my knowledge of contemporary dance and has provided me with essential skills both technically and creatively. I feel my journey as a dancer is really taken momentum, and want to continue to build upon my experiences. Being part of Element Dance is definitely a way to ensure I develop as a versatile artist, a place where I will continue to be inspired.

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Samara

Originaly from the Capital (Brasilia) I grew up in Sao Paulo, where I got to know samba and it's influences. Early training in Brazilian partner (Samba-Rock, Lambada, Gafieira, Pagode Paulista, Bolero) dancing has informed a personal aproach to samba, with a focus on elegance and good posture. A celebrated Passista, I gained my expertise performing with Sao Paulo's Vai-Vai Samba School, in 2003 was voted the Rainha da Bateria of the London School of Samba and this year was nominated the Rainha da Bateria for Coburg International Samba Festival. It's been 11 years since I started my professional career as a Samba teacher/dancer and I love the rithym it really feeds my soul when I dance and my mission as a teacher is to make my students feel the same. Currently based in London I am working with several bands, teaching and performing all over

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Lily la Loca

I started dancing at the age of six in the school of rhythmic gymnastics in my home town for five years.

At the age eleven I started in the elemental school of ballet, training with Alejo Carpentier. I loved the training, but I also liked so many other styles. For that reason I decided to train with the National School of Arts [ena]. I learnt all sorts of dance styles with them, and everything there is to know about performing on the stage - even small details like how to apply make up for shows.

Upon graduating, I worked in the company "Ballet de la television Cubana. I was very proud to work for them as they are so well respected in Cuba. We travelled all over- Mexico, Aruba- I've been dancing around the world- both with them and with Element Dance whom I travelled to India with in 2006.

I came to the UK in 2005 where I continued dancing in my spare time. When I met Ella and Element Dance in 2006, I was happy to have found more like minded dancers. I love meet new people, cultures, give to them my smile and good work. In Element Dance I have found good friends, and exciting opportunities.

That’s me
love
lily x

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Catarina

Catherine’s passion for dance started at a young age, when she first attended dance classes in Ballet and Jazz and constantly experimented with her own moves and choreography. As part of her degree, she travelled to Guatemala, Mexico and El Salvador and Cuba for a year. It was there that she first experienced Salsa, and the pure Afro – Latin rhythms.

As a television director for documentaries, Catherine was sent to Brazil on a research trip. Here she discovered the vibrant and enveloping spirit of Afro Brazilian dance, which inspired her so much that she gave up her job to take up dancing full time.

After gaining a diploma in Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary dance, Catherine was awarded a scholarship to train at WAC College of Performing Arts for a Professional Diploma in Music, Theatre and Dance. She currently teaches Afro-Brazilian dance and Samba in schools, local communities and in dance centres. She is also working towards a full IDTA Dance Teaching Qualification.

Catherine recently returned to Brazil for a seven month dance research trip. She studied Afro- Contemporary and Brazilian Folkloric Dance at Escola de Danca, Bahia, Brazil where she was also invited to perform and teach. Pursuing her interest in African derived movement Catherine went to Nigeria, her father’s homeland where she collaborated with Adewol of Crown Troup of Africa to choreograph a dance piece combining Brazilan and Nigerian Yoruba dance movement.

Catherine has a strong background in non- western dance and has studied and performed Egyptian, Flamenco, Salsa, Brazilian and African dance. She has collaborated in contemporary dance theatre projects with the likes of Genesis Dance Theatre and regularly performs as a folkloric Brazilian dancer and Passista (Samba dancer) where she tours and performs internationally and in festivals. She also performs independently in her own group Spoken Dance, which experimentally fuses performance poetry with dance and music to tell stories.

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Natalia Bella