An Arizona Native, Ellie Soto, grew up training and competing in all styles of dance in Mesa, AZ.  After graduating Summa Cum Laude from Arizona State University on a Presidential Academic Scholarship, she moved to California to begin her professional dance career.  Since moving to the City of Angels, Ellie has danced on TV shows such as The Billboard Music Awards, The Voice and The Ellen Show, and in shows/movies on Netflix, Showtime, Amazon Prime and Apple TV!  You can spot her in music videos for Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, John Legend, Selena Gomez, and Becky G just to name a few.  She most recently performed in the Super Bowl LVII Halftime show with Rihanna and can be seen dancing in multiple episodes of Season 3 of Apple TVs hit show “Physical.”  In addition to commercial work, she has had extensive classical ballet and modern training that she furthered through Alvin Ailey’s Professional Division Summer Program.  Ellie was also a member of Emmy Award Winning Tessandra Chavez’s Contemporary/Hip Hop Company “Unity LA.”  And is currently a member of The Los Angeles Jazz Company!  A company committed to carrying forward the legacy of jazz dance; its roots, its future, and its influence on the world. 

 

Ellie began traveling the country assisting at the age of 16 & feels so lucky to personally have assisted for and been heavily mentored by Tyce Diorio, Tessandra Chavez, Tina Caspary, Katie Schaar, Judy Rice, Nancy Omeara, Gina Starbuck, Nick Flores, Chris Jones, Chloe Arnold and the late Greg Russell.  Ellie has assisted for Galen Hooks, and has been associate and assistant choreographer for many of the industries greatest choreographers, including Kyle Hanagami for numerous music videos, live performances, TV/Award shows, as well as for Simon Fullers New Hit Pop Group NOW UNITED and, THE FUTURE X.  

 

Ellies’ own choreographic career began years ago, winning multiple National Awards such as The Pulse On Tours’ National Choreographers Pick!  Since then, she has choreographed commercials, music videos for ZZ Ward and other artists and set a piece for Lindsey Stirling’s national tour.  She was also an assistant choreographer for 2 seasons of Fox’s “The Masked Singer.”  Ellie is excited to begin shifting from dance to focusing more on bringing her voice of choreographic fusion of all styles, a deep love for classical technique combined with unique movement to the entertainment industry. 

 

While she’s created numerous award winning routines and danced on the biggest stages and screens, her most fulfilling role is always sharing the magic of movement in all forms, to all levels of movers.  From teaching an artistic approach to fitness in East Los Angeles at BODYDADA LA, to being certified in sugarfoot therapy (an injury prevention fitness program for dancers), to teaching on convention or most importantly, teaching dance in underserved communities- Dance changes lives, and Ellie is honored and incredibly grateful to be able to share her love of movement all over the country!