Elena has been dancing since the age of 3. As Elena grew, so did her love for dance – from Creative Movement to competing on a National Stage. Elena has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Modern, Hip Hop, Tap, Musical Theatre, and Ukrainian Dance. She has received ISTD Ballet Exams and recognition for performances as a dancer (CNDC, Manitoba Dance Festival, 5,6,7,8 Dance Convention) and as a choreographer (CNDC, Manitoba Dance Festival, RFOTA). With 10 years of experience teaching dance to students Preschool age all the way to Adulthood, Elena has developed the ability to create relationships centred in respect, enthusiasm, compassion, and inside jokes.
She discovered a love of Musical Theatre and Acting at age 12 at a summer dance camp. It is a love that has sustained her through High School, University, and in present day performing in the community (Winnipeg Fringe Festival 2023) and teaching for GAAC. Elena utilizes a mixture of community and University level training to lead her students through the process of writing, staging, directing, and choreographing original works of Musical Theatre that reflect the student’s interests.
Elena strongly believes that Art is an experience beneficial to everyone in every part of life. She aims to use her art to create and strengthen community, promote mental health awareness, and stretch other’s and her own capacity for joy and connection. Elena is devoted to creating diversified safe spaces in creative endeavours and is serious about the role that silliness plays in all art and vulnerability. She brings these perspectives to her Dance, Musical Theatre, and Come Dance With Me programming at GAAC.