An Arizona Native, Ellie Soto, grew up training and competing in all styles of dance at Danceworks By Dannis in Mesa, AZ. She moved to California to begin her professional dance career after graduating Summa Cum Laude from Arizona State University on a Presidential Academic Scholarship. Since moving to the City of Angels and signing with Go2Talent Agency, Ellie has danced on a number of TV shows such as The Billboard Music Awards, Showtimes’ Penny Dreadful and The Ellen Show. She has also danced in music videos for Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift, John Legend, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, and Chris Brown. Ellie has had extensive classical ballet and modern training that she furthered through Alvin Ailey’s Professional Division Summer Program and she performs as a member of Emmy Award Winning Tessandra Chavez’s Contemporary/Hip Hop Company “Unity LA.” She’s had the opportunity to assist many of the industries greatest choreographers, including Galen Hooks, Melissa Sandvig, and Kyle Hanagami for numerous music videos, live performances, as well as for Simon Fullers New Hit Pop Group NOW UNITED. She’s also assisted Tyce Diorio for the TV show “So You Think You Can Dance” and was a Top 22 Female “green mile” finalist for the show in seasons 4&6.
In addition to dancing, Ellie’s choreography has won multiple National Awards such as The Pulse On Tours’ National Choreographers Pick. Ellie has choreographed numerous National and State winning routines for Mesa Mountain View Varsity Song Pom- who have been 14x AIA State Champions and 5 time National Champions. Ellie is also an instructor for LA’s hottest new fitness classes with an artistic approach to working out called BodyDada LA and is certified in teaching SugarFoot Therapy, which is an injury prevention fitness training program created specifically for dancers. While she’s created numerous award winning routines, her most fulfilling teaching position is the one she holds at The Gabriella Foundations’ Everybody Dance Program. As a teaching artist for Everybody Dance, she teaches grade school levels in underserved areas all throughout LA. Dance changes lives, and Ellie is honored and incredibly grateful to be able to share her love with students who might not otherwise ever receive the gift of dance. Ellie is excited to be a part of the Velocity Dance Convention family as a Pro Assistant.