Ms. Elsie

Elsie Neilson is a freelance dancer and choreographer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At the age of 5 she began dancing and has continued on with it as a career ever since. She received her BFA in Dance and Choreography at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) while graduating Summa Cum Laude.  In addition to her dance studies, Elsie has received her Teacher Certifications in the Elemental Body Alignment System (EBAS) Levels I and II, as well as her certification in Thai Bodywork which heavily influence her training and choreographic practice.

 

While in Philly, Elsie worked as an administrative intern for the Interim Executive Director of PHILADANCO, as well as an intern for Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers, while continuing to teach dance at multiple studios. Additionally, she became a member of Opus One Dance Project and performed with the company in March 2020. During her time at VCU, Elsie had the pleasure of performing in multiple guest artist and faculty works choreographed by Jenna Riegel, Helen Simonaeu, Autumn Proctor, Melanie Richards, and Eric Rivera. She also attended the 2019 Mid-Atlantic College Dance Association Conference as a performer in Zoe Wampler’s piece outsider(everywhere) which was selected to be a part of the closing Gala. In addition, she was a collaborator in the project Familial Movers/Foreign Stories, a multifaceted project that explored dance and choreography through virtual reality.

 

Elsie’s own choreographic works have been presented in many festivals and concerts in Philadelphia, PA and Richmond, VA. From solos, to trios, and group pieces, her works have been presented in Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers 43rd Annual Inhale Performance Series, Starr Foster's Mid-Atlantic Showcase, Small Plates Choreography Festival, and the 6th & 7th annual Richmond Dance Festival.

 

Her training beyond school includes many dance intensives and workshops such as Doug Varone and Dancers Winter Workshop (2020), Bates Dance Festival (2019, 2018), BalletX (2016, 2015), and Princeton Ballet (2014). Both years attending Bates Dance Festival she received a partial scholarship for a work/study position in technical production.

 

She is incredibly excited to be a part of the Edge Dance Center family this year!