Episode 132: Elle Ciccarone [Belhaven Dance Alumni – Part Five]
We are diving back into our Belhaven Dance Alumni Series for part five, episode 132, with the inspiring Elle Ciccarone! Elle received her BFA from Belhaven University and is currently pursuing her MFA there and teaching the undergraduate students. After graduating with her BFA, Elle spent several years performing, teaching, and choreographing in New Orleans. While there, she established her own modern dance company, ELLEvate Dance, with a focus on empowering women in dance.
We chat about Elle’s journey from her early dance experiences to her current MFA studies, exploring the intersection of faith and creativity in dance. Elle shares her insights on the importance of self-advocacy, the challenges of the dance industry, and the value of integrity and building relationships in your career. Our conversation also touches on the significance of community, personal growth, and the evolving nature of artistry.
Several other Belhaven Dance Alumni have shared their stories on the podcast over the years, so we’ve gathered all the episodes together in a playlist for you! Check out the playlist on Spotify!
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About Elle:
Elle shares: I am originally from State College, PA where I grew up with a love for dance and all creative arts. My parents were very mission-minded and instilled within me a passion and love for God and I was able to participate in many different missions trips and service opportunities. I had worshipful experiences with dance at an early age through improvising in the small dance studio in my basement when I was very young and I remember feeling God’s presence so strongly when I danced. I was also always writing creative stories and coming up with choreography in my head. I knew I wanted a career in the arts yet wasn’t sure what that looked like exactly.
Through a series of unfortunate events (that ended up being fortunate in the long run) I ended up at Belhaven pursuing my BFA. Once I graduated, I met my now ex husband and moved to New Orleans to pursue an arts career full time. There, I was able to establish my own modern dance company, ELLEvate Dance, and danced and choreographed for other companies such as Artivism Dance Theater, Melange Dance Company, and The Marigny Opera Ballet. I also taught dance at many different schools and organizations both in and around the city. I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated my time and career in New Orleans, yet a significant life change led me to move back to Jackson in 2023 to pursue my MFA at Belhaven and teach the undergraduate students. Now, I am finding new passion in teaching, choreographing, learning, and working–all within a familiar and yet new environment and community.
Links from the Show:
- Playlist of Belhaven University Dance Alumni Episodes!
- Belhaven University Dance Department
- MFA Program at Belhaven University Dance
- Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet
- Episode 6 with Cynthia Newland
- Episode 89 with Cynthia Newland
- Episode 31 with Carleigh Dunbar
- Chick-fil-A
- The Marigny Opera Ballet