Meet Ellie.
Ellie Hæstad began her journey in dance at just four years old, training intensively for 14 years with the Lebanon Ballet School in Indiana, where she explored ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop. By eighteen, Ellie had already brought over ten of her original choreographic works to the stage. Her teaching career spans a wide range and includes experience in ballet, tap, musical theatre, and jazz across multiple respected organizations. She has taught and choreographed for the Lebanon Ballet School, Wisdom Builders Community Theatre, Reflex Dance Arts, Sarasota Stretch-N-Grow, ILT Dance Studio, Athletic Ambitions, Contempo Dance Studio, Renovate Dance Zionsville, Bourne 2 Dance, and Dance Bochette. In the summer of 2022, Ellie traveled to Europe where she got to perform and teach in France, England, and Belgium with Youth With A Mission (YWAM). Ellie graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with Bachelor’s Degrees in Business Entrepreneurship and Dance in hopes of furthering Elizabeth Mission of Dance as a dance studio concentrated on outreach ministries, community projects, and mentoring programs.
Meet Victoria.
Victoria Canizalez began dancing at the age of 10, training with many studios such as Diane Partington Studio of Classical Ballet, Movement Dance Company, and Soul Studios in the Sarasota/Bradenton area. She has honed her skills across a variety of styles, including ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, and fusion. As an attendant of Manatee School for the Arts, Victoria was an integral part of their dance teams and also competed on studio competition teams, attending numerous dance conventions and competitions to further her training. Victoria’s passion for teaching emerged early, as she began instructing at the age of 15. Since then, she has collaborated with a variety of artists, continuously refining her craft. She is thrilled to share her love of dance through teaching, with a heart centered on growing in her faith and spreading joy. Victoria strives to bring happiness to her students and inspire others through movement and creativity.
Meet Emily.
Emily Kelly has been dancing since she was four years old, training at various studios and mastering a wide range of styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, musical theatre, and lyrical. After moving to Florida, Emily continued her dance education at Attitudes in Dance, where she also assists in teaching. Her experience extends into choreography, having created dance pieces for musical theatre productions. Emily joined Elizabeth Mission of Dance in 2021 as Miss Ellie’s assistant and has been an integral part of the program ever since!
Reviews
“My name is Marylou Hume Miller and I am the owner and director of Lebanon Ballet School where Ellie Wheat danced from the age of 4 to 18.
In her younger years, Ellie was always delightful, hardworking, caring, talented and turned into a lovely young woman as well as a beautiful dancer! She loves children and is a great role model by exemplifying combining her passion for her faith with her passion for dance.
Her faith always comes first, but dance and children are close behind! She incorporates her talents of teaching, choreography, and her high personal values into all she does .
Ellie is always ready to lend a helping hand as a volunteer or to anyone that needs assistance. In her latest endeavor of operating several dance programs, I am 100% positive that she will be an amazing influence on all her students and that she will be successful in anything she pursues!”
— Marylou Hume, Director/Owner, Lebanon Ballet School
“Ellie is an amazing teacher! She has been working with my two Granddaughters for the past two summers! My Granddaughters keep asking when they get to see Miss Ellie and start dance lessons. Ellie is so patient and kind to all of her students. She has taught my Granddaughters more than just dance. She has taught them to be kind to others, be a good listener and most importantly be proud of who you are.
As my Granddaughters say “we love our Miss Ellie!’”
— Mary Gracyalny, Dance Mom
“We love Miss Ellie!
Our daughter has attended several summer princess camps throughout the years and has always had the best time. Ellie is kind, patient, and amazing with the littles. We are looking forward to attending more of her wonderful dance classes in the winter and hopefully for years to come!”
— Shanna Lynn, Dance Mom
“Hey, my name is Angelica and I am the owner and director of Athletic Ambitions. We have been open since 2015. We have had the pleasure of having Ellie join our team in 2021. Ellie is an exceptional instructor who has stood out immensely with her leadership skills.
In my years of working with instructors, Ellie's ability to keep the kids focused and entertained during the entire class has amazed me!
Ellie is caring, hardworking, and goes above and beyond for her students and peers.
Ellie is one talented instructor, choreographer, and person.”