Today we’d like to introduce you to Elsa Stallings.
Elsa, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Looking back over the journey, I have gone through for the past twenty years, I’d say what has shaped my story the most would be my training and career as a dancer. I actually didn’t discover my love for dance until I was thirteen, which was in stark contrast to most of my fellow dancers who began at the age of two or three. I was never told that my late start would keep me from pursuing a professional career in dance, and rather I was nurtured by some of the most amazing mentors that pushed me to be the best version of my self as both an artist and a human. Life and career of dancing demand all of the blood, sweat, and tears of the participant, so I learned to throw myself head first into a rigorous, often grueling training schedule that shaped much of who I am today.
Contrary to my heavy classical ballet background, I was actually first tugged by more commercial genres including hip hop and jazz funk, shoved away any interest in the slick back bun, pink tights, and strict etiquette that ballet called for. Eventually, however, I developed a deep love for this style’s technique, perseverance, and elegance that continued to reign over the dance world even in the 21st century. I like to say that I “sold my soul” to ballet as a teenager by giving up a normal high school life and trained in strict technique for about six hours a day, six times a week. And yes, you could say that I put the more commercial styles I first fell in love with on the back burner of my training through high school, yet I never fully identified as just a classical ballet dancer. By the time I was a senior, I felt certain I wanted to dive into my next level of training and semi-adulthood by immersing myself in the wide spectrum of the dance styles that seemed to merge more drastically than ever before. Though I applied to a handful of dance programs for college, Pace University Commerical Dance Program in New York City was the only one that I truly knew would help me fulfill a career as a diverse, professional artist. Before I knew it, I found myself in one of the most intense, vibrant cities in the world pursuing my dream and learning more about my art form every day.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When it comes to pursuing any kind of dream, I don’t think anyone’s journey is ever a completely smooth road. We can all seek comfort in that fact alone. Personally, many of my obstacles (which I didn’t realize for some time) came down to my own lack of confidence and insecurities. I would constantly ask myself if I was capable of achieving all I wanted to be as a dancer and felt a relentless wave of self-doubt. These insecurities manifested externally in my training and performance in front of mentors and others in the dance community that could provide opportunities for me down the road. However, I eventually became aware of the unnecessary weight these doubts put on me, and slowly I have learned to cultivate a powerful sense of determination and focus, which I sustained through self-love. For fellow women, and especially young women, my advice would be to welcome mistakes and failures. It may be difficult, especially while living in a current generation that feels we must constantly compete against one another. However, remember that these downfalls are just a part of your journey and help build a thick skin that can get you through any struggle you may encounter.
Please tell us about your work.
It is definitely an exciting time to be in a world that is evolving into an inter-connected ecosystem for the arts. In the 21st century, being a dancer does not limit you to just your field, as you can expand outward with collaborations with other artists and non-artists alike. While I have a heavy background in many different dance styles, my main goal and specialty are in choreography, which sparked ever-growing interest in me since I first discovered it when I was thirteen. Though I’m still at the beginning of my journey as a choreographer, I have high aspirations for creating dance and movement on a wide variety of platforms, especially through a digital medium. Commerical work for dance (which includes everything from music videos, product commercials, dance TV shows, live artist performances, etc.) has always been a huge interest to me. Looking forward, I aim to bring the public (or non-artists) more connected with the arts in creative, original ways. Because I’m only twenty years old, I still have a lot of learning and branding to do myself, but I hope later on I will be known for contributing to the relevance of dance amongst society in countless ways.
What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
Do the things your future self will thank you for.
I first heard this piece of advice at a young age and have carried it with me throughout the years. I feel it is incredibly important for young women just starting her career to adopt discipline and self-determination early on. When you have a firm sense of direction, you develop an unwavering autonomy that no one can ever take away from you, no matter obstacles you may come across.
Contact Info:
- Address: 45 Beekman Street, Apt 3
New York, NY 10038 - Phone: 4047257366
- Email: elsastallings@gmail.com
- Instagram: @elsastallings
Image Credit:
Jessica Nash Photography, Dancer: Elsa Stallings, Jay Sullivan Photography, Dancer: Elsa Stallings, Jayna Photography, Dancers: Alyssa Chang, Dan Santiago, Croix Diieno, Kristyn Williams, Annelise Ritacca, Chris Critelli, Aiden Pressel, Summe Stolle, Richard Calmes Photography, Dancers: Silken Kelly, Jordan Reeves, Guy Aroch Photography, Dancer: Elsa Stallings, Richard Calmes Photography, Dancer: Grace Brawn
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