Elyssa Vega
Houston,TX
Summary
Vega is a hardworking & versatile dance professional with over twenty years of training and a decade of teaching experience. Skilled in all levels of dance instruction, with a strong teaching focus on commitment to performance & creating encouraging & inclusive learning environments. Known to deliver high-energy compelling performances and achieve high standards in every creative process. Experience in collaborating with diverse teams to produce innovative artistic works and achieve shared goals. Known for versatility, reliability, and adaptability in dynamic environments, demonstrating key skills in artistic expression and team collaboration. Pursuing full-time role or apprenticeship that unlocks new professional challenges and performance experiences. Brings fresh perspective and strong commitment to quality and success.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Studio Co-Manager & Teacher
Hunter Dance Center
07.2023 - Current
- Collaborate with current ODP apprentice Margo Smolik to ensure the success of HDC systems and upholding HDC policies
- Teach Tippy Toes, Hip Hop, Musical Theater, & Tap to both youth and adult students maintaining understanding of BEST concepts, effective classroom management practices, & historical accuracy
- Adapted to Tippy Toes pedagogy and creative movement practices taught by Annie Arnoult & primary teachers at HDC
- Ability to multitask and problem solve daily
- Communicate effectively with professional company members & master teachers regarding classes, students, & studio policy
- Uphold standard of HDC by maintaining professional boundaries, standards, and positive work attitude
- Work closely with director Annie Arnoult to ensure her vision for center is upheld and fulfilled
Core Dancer
Mezclada Dance Company
04.2022 - Current
- Contributes to creating a collaborative, energetic, and harmonious rehearsal environment with other dance professionals
- Performs and practices partnering as well as styles including hip-hop, house dance, breaking, modern, contemporary, & latin jazz
- Traveled with company to NYC in March 2023 to collaborate with and perform alongside live musicians and grammy award winning artist Arturo O'Farrill in evening length concert "Whirlwinds"
- Performed as core dancer in social events & dance festivals the Bayou City Dance Festival 2024 & Memorial Hermann Gala 2024
- Performed and contributed to creative process in "All of the Above" evening length concert at the MATCH Houston in January 2023
Guest Artist
Chapman Dance
07.2024 - Current
- Assisted artistic director with rehearsals & danced in premiere of ENTANGLEMENTS
- Collaborated with seasoned company members such as Roberta Paixao-Cortes, Lindsey McGill, & LaRodney Freeman to create harmonious rehearsal environment and build partnering phrases
- Received invitation to travel to perform excerpt of Entanglements show in Dumbo Dance Festival in June 2025
- Managed company social media by creating regular posts to promote new show
Instructor, Rehearsal Director, Choreographer
Dayton Academy of Dance
12.2016 - Current
- Taught all ages jazz, ballet, jazz funk, tap, contemporary & musical theater.
- Helped to introduce BEST concepts and more structured dance curriculum to primary age students
- Created weekly and bi-weekly lesson plans for advanced technique classes to provide for clear goals and structure in the classroom
- Choreographed solo and group competition routines as well as directed weekly rehearsals & perfected choreography
- Attended & organized weekend competitions and convention entries
- Organized and scheduled summer dance camps and recitals.
- Worked closely and communicated with parents.
- Created studio advertisements and social media promotional material using Canva.
Co-Founder
Momentum Movement
05.2023 - Current
- Founded teaching and choreography business dedicated to motivating, educating, and elevating today's generation of dancers specifically in public schools
- Works with public school dance directors to create customized team dance "camps" to prepare drill team dancers to start the year feeling strong, confident, and empowered with leadership skills
- Sets choreography and teaches master classes to high school drill teams in several styles all around TX such as Liberty HS, North Shore High School, McCormick Middle School, and Pasadena Memorial HS
- Founded the Elevate Intensive, an event with 30 middle and high school dancers to give them access to high quality dance studio training in a public school setting
- Teaches adult classes to pro and recreational dancers in Jazz Funk styles
Guest Teacher
University of Houston
11.2022 - 04.2024
- Taught guest classes in contemporary and Hip-Hop styles to University of Houston dance students in November 2022 and April 2023
- Answered questions from aspiring UH BFA graduates about being a working professional dancer, freelance artist, and independent teacher in the Houston area
Dance Director
Dobie High School
07.2021 - 05.2023
- Assistant Director of Varsity/Head Director of Junior Varsity
- Led junior varsity team at performances throughout football season, competition season, and spring show season
- Taught Dance 1 and received all 1's for D.E.A.L. assessment
- Built lesson plans based on BEST Concepts for beginner to advanced level ninth grade dance students
- Attended TDEA for two years as professional development
- Traveled with students to all performances and activities
- Cleaned and perfected routines for both teams
- Worked closely with beginner to advanced level dance students to work to their fullest potential
- Fostered healthy team dynamic within team members and promoted a structured and motivated attitude
- Booked choreographers and managed finances of junior varsity team
- Choreographed winning contest performances for the JV team
Company Member
Psophonia Dance Company/PDC Works
10.2019 - 10.2021
- Training in Graham and Modern/Contemporary styles taught by Sophia Torres
- Danced & worked with live musicians from UH Moore's School of Music to build collaborative show "Colony"
- Traveled to Gonzales, TX for company retreats to train and build new material
- Deeply collaborated with company members & artistic director to build repertoire and narrative for athletic and dynamic work
- Performances: TAKE ROOT Talento Bilingue de Houston (2021), TAKE ROOT at Archway Gallery (October 2021), GATHER in collaboration with C4 Ensemble Mother Dog Studios (Virtual October 2020), Cincy Fringe Festival (Virtual June 2020), Colony at MATCH Houston (2019)
Guest Teacher
Crosby Middle School
04.2021 - 05.2021
- Guest instructed dance teacher Lizzy Woodson, for CMS Dance Program Latin Dance unit and Hip Hop unit
- Assisted with contest choreography for the drill team at Crosby Middle School
Guest Instructor & Competition Choreographer
Pointe of Grace Dance Studio
01.2019 - 03.2021
- Taught classes at all levels in the jazz and musical theatre styles.
- Set intermediate & advanced musical theatre and jazz solo and duet routines for the competition season.
Zumba Fitness Instructor
Pearland Nutrition
03.2020 - 08.2020
- Communicated in Spanish with class takers & created welcoming and inclusive environment for all
- Inspired clients to set and achieve personal fitness goals by sharing the benefits of Zumba as a fun, effective workout option.
- Evaluated class performance through regular participant surveys and feedback sessions, continually refining instructional techniques for optimal results.
- Choreographed class routines and paired with upbeat music selections.
Guest Artist
6 Degrees Dance Company
01.2020 - 01.2020
- Collaborated in creating contemporary work that inspired and represented community at Women's March in Jan 2020
- Performance: Houston Women’s March with Toni Valle
Substitute Teacher & Recital Assistant
Amy Blake’s Academy of Dance
01.2015 - 07.2019
- Substitute taught all level youth classes in Tap, Musical Theatre, Ballet, Jazz, and Hip Hop
- Taught and managed youth summer dance camps
- Managed backstage at annual recitals.
Narrator
Young Audiences Touring Company
08.2017 - 05.2019
- Lead role of "Safari Sally", narrated school show based on the wildlife in the African Savannah
- Choreographed & created works that were based on research but also fun, relatable, & digestible for all ages
- Collaborated with cast members to build choreography and narrative of the show within parameters of director, Becky Valls
Guest Teacher
University of Houston Charter School
10.2018 - 10.2018
- Gained first experience teaching a creative movement class built upon BEST Concepts
- Taught a 1st grade creative dance class providing a structured lesson plan using the National Core Dance Standards, music, and visual aids
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Dance
University of Houston
Houston, TX05-2020
Open Dance Project Professional Intensive
Houston, TX06-2023
Houston Contemporary Dance Company
Houston, TX06-2024
Universidad Nacional De Costa Rica
Heredia, Costa Rica01.2017
NobleMotion Summer Dance Intensive
The Woodlands, TX01.2018
Dance Education Grades 6-12
Texas Educator Certificate
Houston, TXTeaching Artist Completion Certificate - Arts Integration
Arts For Learning Lab
Houston05-2021
Skills
- Spanish language skills
- Vocal performance
- Articulating engaging narratives
- Curriculum development
- Creative movement design
- Partnering
- Effective student & parent communication
- Virtual teaching experience
- Effective conflict resolution
- Student engagement strategies
- Schedule management & organizational proficiency
- Office management skills
- Music & Video Editing
- Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, Canva, etc)
- Proficient in Google and Microsoft
Websites
Certifications
Texas Educator Certificate | Dance Education, Grades 6-12
June 2023-Current
- Certified teacher in the state of Texas for secondary school dance education
- Completed Texas Teachers of Tomorrow certification program after graduating from UH
Arts for Learning Lab | Teaching Artist Completion Certificate, Arts Integration
May 2021
- Completed online Zoom 45 hr arts integration focused profressional development program in partnership with Young Audiences of Houston & UH Katherine G. McGovern College of the Arts
- Partnered with classroom educator at Garden Oaks Montessori to complete 4 lesson long residency with arts integrated "storytelling" lessons for students & received positive feedback
- Program had concentration in lesson planning, inclusive learning, teaching SEL skills, and unique classroom management techniques and practices
Current Studio Training
Hunter Dance Center, Countertechnique, MUNZ Barre, Modern/Contemporary, Ballet
Institute of Contemporary Dance, Ballet & Contemporary
Soundbox Studios, Hip-Hop, Jazz Funk, & Commercial choreography
Houston Metropolitan Dance Center, Ballet & Jazz
Soreal Dance Studio, Hip-Hop, Jazz Funk, & Commercial choreography
Accomplishments
UH Dance Program Cheerleader Award — 2019
UH Dance Program Joanna Friesen Dance Scholarship — 2018
Timeline
Guest Artist
Chapman Dance
07.2024 - Current
Studio Co-Manager & Teacher
Hunter Dance Center
07.2023 - Current
Co-Founder
Momentum Movement
05.2023 - Current
Guest Teacher
University of Houston
11.2022 - 04.2024
Core Dancer
Mezclada Dance Company
04.2022 - Current
Dance Director
Dobie High School
07.2021 - 05.2023
Guest Teacher
Crosby Middle School
04.2021 - 05.2021
Zumba Fitness Instructor
Pearland Nutrition
03.2020 - 08.2020
Guest Artist
6 Degrees Dance Company
01.2020 - 01.2020
Company Member
Psophonia Dance Company/PDC Works
10.2019 - 10.2021
Guest Instructor & Competition Choreographer
Pointe of Grace Dance Studio
01.2019 - 03.2021
Guest Teacher
University of Houston Charter School
10.2018 - 10.2018
Narrator
Young Audiences Touring Company
08.2017 - 05.2019
Instructor, Rehearsal Director, Choreographer
Dayton Academy of Dance
12.2016 - Current
Substitute Teacher & Recital Assistant
Amy Blake’s Academy of Dance
01.2015 - 07.2019
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Dance
University of Houston
Open Dance Project Professional Intensive
Houston Contemporary Dance Company
Universidad Nacional De Costa Rica
NobleMotion Summer Dance Intensive
Dance Education Grades 6-12
Texas Educator Certificate
Teaching Artist Completion Certificate - Arts Integration
Arts For Learning Lab
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