Today we’d like to introduce you to Elle Dimos.
Hi Elle, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a 19-year-old professional dancer from Australia, living in L.A. on an 0-1 Artist Visa, who is currently touring the U.S. assisting the most incredible Faculty at Radix Dance Convention on their 23/24 season Tour. I am represented by M.S.A Agency and my arrival to LA earlier this year marks my 8th time in the US. I first came to the U.S. when I was 10 years old after winning a free trip to America as my major prize after winning
‘Dancer of the Year’, in 2015, at the biggest Nationals Competition in Australia at that time.
On my first trip, I attended ‘Pulse on Tour’ Nationals in Vegas as I wanted to learn off Brian Friedman. And it was there that I took my first Brian Friedman and Tessandra Chavez class.
As a 10-year-old, I was supposed to be in the Junior Room and in ‘Camp Pulse,’ but instead, I opted to be in the teen room as I wanted a greater challenge, and with it came the opportunity to audition for Brian Friedmans Pulse Fashion Show.
I loved that experience and was so grateful to have been selected as one of his dancers in it.
From that very first trip, I loved Brians’s classes, his choreography, his training, and the training over here.
I loved the American’s work ethic, and I was continually inspired by their dedication to their arts/dance.
Over the years, I won 4 more Australian National Championship Titles and 4 more trips to the U.S, and with each trip, I connected with more and more American dancers and choreographers.
During the pandemic, I was meant to fly back to the U.S, but due to the worldwide travel ban, that trip was canceled.
Fortunately, however, I was able to train with many American Choreographers online over Zoom, which was amazing and kept me inspired over our harsh lockdown in Sydney.
It was also during the Pandemic that I started having One on One private Zoom lessons with Brian Friedman, which I was so grateful for. I continued to learn from him on Zoom over the next year, and when I could finally go back to the States, I got to assist him in person when I was the Australian assistant for the MSA Education Online intensive.
Since then, I have been fortunate enough to have assisted Brian over the summer on some of his workshops and camps and was also one of Brian’s skeleton crew dancers to whom he prepped the Opening Number of the US So You Think You Can Dance finale.
During my time in LA, I have also been fortunate enough to have been one of Tessandra Chavez’s workshop dancers who she set choreography for Derek Houghs Symphony of Dance US Tour, and I was one of Robbie Blues dancers for his piece for his series of Congress VIII Shows.
I am currently in the middle of touring with Radix, and I am loving every second of flying to a different state/city every week, meeting new dancers from across the country working closely, and learning so much off the amazing faculty.
In May, I am flying back to Australia for the month as I will be performing in the Australian Tour of the Dream Dance Company’s newest show, ‘A New Era.’
I am then flying to Singapore to perform in the Dream Dance Company Singapore Show as well as to join their creative team by teaching at the Dream Experience Singapore, (which is their convention), before flying back to LA to continue my American Dance Journey.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I guess the biggest challenge was during our initial Covid/lockdown Pandemic phase when we were all locked in our homes, and it was unknown how I would continue training, what dance at home would look like, and the fear of isolation and stagnation.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Thank you! Being a Commercial Dancer involves being a dancer in TV commercials and Campaigns, being in short films and movies, Dancing for an Artist, be it on stage behind an Artist or in their music video clips. It involves dancing for live corporate events, in Live Dance Shows, Touring, assisting Choreographers both in conventions and on jobs, being a part of skeleton crews for Creatives, performing in Awards shows… the list goes on and on. And while I have done most of the above I still have so much more to learn and to accomplish .
The creative side of being a dancer/creative is just as endless. But for me to date, it has been Choreographing/teaching at workshops/classes and Conventions, in Australia and Singapore, Choreographing Troupe routines for Elite Australian Programs and for Australian Competition Dance Performing Arts Schools as well as solo routines for competitive soloists. ‘
What matters most to you? Why?
It is important to be a hard worker and to always put 100% effort into everything you do. To be versatile, to be consistent and to not get complacent once you achieve one of your goals, but to keep working towards and aspiring for more. Being a good person and making sure you are nice and respectful to everyone you meet and everyone you work with is also really important to me.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Johnny Vision
