Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellie Flory.
Hi Ellie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started taking dance when I was 2 years old at Dana’s Studio of Dance in Southlake. I loved dancing on the stage, so when I turned 5, I auditioned for one of the competitive teams there called Infinite Soul, so I could have more opportunities to perform. I remember my parents being nervous because my dance classes went past my bedtime, but I didn’t care at all. I trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop. That year, I only competed 2 group dances, but I was hooked! We would have a call time at 6:30am, and be done competing by noon, but I would always talk my mom into staying so I could watch the “big kids.” Sometimes, I would be dancing in the back of the auditorium while they competed until 11pm! When I was six, I did my first solo, and talked my parents into letting me do 2, a jazz and a lyrical solo. When I got to be 8, I auditioned for a different dance team, DV8 the Company. I decided to make the move because this team focused more on going to and competing at dance conventions, and the training added ballroom dance and more ballet. Dance conventions are big weekend events where well known dance choreographers and teachers come and teach classes all day. Then, in the afternoon/evening, different studios in attendance compete. We usually dance about 5 hours, and then compete after that. Sometimes our Saturdays run from 7am-12am with classes, competition, and awards. Then, we have to be back up and ready to dance the next morning from 8am-3pm. It’s exhausting, but so much fun. As I got older, I knew I wanted to take my dancing even more seriously, and hopefully become a professional dancer. I currently train with a pre-professional competitive team at Dana’s Studio of Dance called DNA Creatives. The focus is on commercial dance training and preparing students to be able to make the transition into a professional dance career in film, tv, and music videos. I am also a part of Phil Wright’s Chicken Nugget University mentorship. Mr. Phil is a well known dancer and choreographer that has been working in the commercial dance industry for over 20 years. He has set up CNU to help the next generation of dancers learn about the industry, and begin to take steps to start our careers, even now. I have also become more interested in acting, and plan on taking acting classes and pursuing that in the future.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest challenges I have faced was during the Covid-19 pandemic. I was only 7, and everything shut down right during the peak of competition season. We had to take classes on zoom, and it was not easy. It would be hard to see the teachers’ feet, and your classes were very limited. I remember my mom found an old piece of plywood in the garage, so I could tap on it. That year, things started opening back up during the summer, so our team decided to go to a Nationals competition, but every dancer didn’t feel comfortable being in crowds yet, so our team went from about 15 dancers down to 5. We had to re-block our dances the week before, and I remember having to wear masks the whole time we danced. That took a little getting used to.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a pre-professional competitive dancer. I train in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, ballroom, contemporary, and musical theatre. I really enjoy all styles so much, it’s too hard to choose a favorite. One of my most proud moments was when our team jazz dance won first overall at Ovation Dance Convention, put on by Derek and Julianne Hough. Another proud moment was when Emmy-award winning choreographer, Tyce Diorio, spotted me in a group of dancers at Radix Dance Convention and told me I was “a phenomenal dancer.”
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I am most happy when I am dancing with my friends. I have some amazing friends who are also incredible dancers, and there is something special when you can all get together and enjoy the same thing. We also love going to concerts together. We all went to the Tate McRae concert together. It was fun because one of her dancers has done some master classes at our studio.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellie.m.flory/
