Whilst attending University at Leeds (Politics) and Bretton Hall (Contemporary Dance), Ella began training in Samba dance with Rebelado, Bristol, and in Salsa, and worked her first semi professional dance jobs in Salsa clubs in Bristol. She also began to work for the Luso Brazilian Society, Leeds.

Ella apprenticed as a dancer for M and Em (Merville Jones- founder Phoenix member) dance company in Leeds upon leaving university (2005), specialising in Reggae, Jazz and Contemporary Dance.

Ella’s most significant dance teachers and mentors have included; Militsa Stojanovic (Rebelado), Merville Jones(M and Em), De Napoli Clarke (RJC), Luca Silvestrini (Protein), Bobak Walker (Urban Dance Collective), Michael Pottinger and Mauricio Reyes (Latin Motion).

Ella has visited and lived in Brazil, and there has performed and trained in Circus skills (Circo Piccolino, Salvador 2004), and in Samba and Zouk with Carlinhos de Jesus (Rio De Janeiro 2005, 2006), Academia de Amigos (2006) and Salgueiro and Alegria da zona sul (2006), before being asked to become a Passista in Rio Carnival 2006.

‘Everyone in the school was so friendly and warm- there was a real sense of communityThe experience of parading down the Sambadrome as a Passista was unforgettable and with every rehearsal I learnt something new.

Ella has undergone training, mentoring and placements with the National Dance Teacher’s Association (NDTA) and is a qualified Aerobics Instructor and First Aider. Ella has worked with and taught for Educational and Corporate organisations including ‘Birmingham Royal Ballet’, ‘Birmingham Hippodrome’, ‘Leeds City Council’, ‘The Yorkshire Dance Centre’, ‘LA Fitness’ and more. She has also worked as Carnival coordinator.

Ella has been involved in numerous projects and performances invarious styles including Contemporary dance, Samba dance, Salsa and Reggaeton, as well as choreographing performances for Element. Some of Ella’s biggest achievements include touring India (Chennai, Mombai, Mahableshwar) and Denmark (Copenhagen) with her own choreographies for Element Dance, performing at Miss Black Britain two years running, Performing in the Dansopolis Commission (Yorkshire Playhouse), performing in Brazil as a Passista, Rio de Janeiro (2006) and Circus act/ dancer, Salvador (2004).

Ella is keen to continue to develop professionally, and in 2008 will be furthering her development by studying a dance diploma in Ballet, Contemporary and Jazz at Laban, London, whilst continuing her work with Element and other dance companies.