CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTORS’ ASSISTANT

Elsie Neilson is a Philadelphia based dancer, choreographer and instructor. In Philly, she worked as the assistant to Dr. Gaynell Sherrod who served as the Interim Executive Director of PHILADANCO from 2019-2020, as well as an administrative intern for Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers. She became a company member with the Philadelphia based company, Opus 1 Contemporary, in 2019 and continues to perform with them. She received her BFA in Dance and Choreography at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) while graduating Summa Cum Laude. During her time at VCU, Elsie had the pleasure of performing works choreographed by Jenna Riegel, Helen Simonaeu, Autumn Proctor, Melanie Richards, and Eric Rivera. 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. Elsie’s own choreographic works have been presented in many festivals and concerts as well such as Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers 43rd Annual Inhale Performance Series, the 6th and 7th Richmond Dance Festival, Starr Foster’s Mid-Atlantic Showcase, and Small Plates Choreography Festival. Additionally, she has had the pleasure of attending multiple dance intensives and workshops such as Doug Varone and Dancers Winter Workshop, Bates Dance Festival, BalletX, and Princeton Ballet. Both years attending Bates Dance Festival she received a partial scholarship for a work/study position in technical production.