Today we’d like to introduce you to Jewel Ellis.
Hi Jewel, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story first began at age three when I had my very first ballet class. From that moment on, I was hooked. As I grew older, my perspective of ballet shifted from it being extracurricular activity to it being a passion of mine. At 11, I knew that dance was something that would be in my life forever. I aspired to be a professional dancer with the company. I attended many summer programs including New York City’s Joffery Ballet and Miami Ballet to start getting some exposure to the professional dance world. By age 13, I had worked my way up to become a Senior Company member at my home studio as well started landing leading roles in multiple productions. It was until I was 15 that I started having a love-hate relationship with dance.
Ballet is a white-dominated sport; it has been this way since the 15th Century. I knew it was only a matter of time, I would start experiencing hardship with my body image. I was not a little petite girl anymore. I became accustomed to hearing comments like “Your legs are too muscular” and “tuck your tailbone when you stand”. On top of that, my weight now became a determining factor in what roles I received in productions. There were times when my weight would be recorded every week. I would do all sorts of cleanses and diets to ensure that I was the “appropriate” weight for the performance. This 2-year long battle with my weight caused me to question if “dance was really for me?”. After months of contemplating and talking with my mom, I decided to finally leave my dance home. Leaving my dance studio allowed me to finally live life as a 17-year-old teen and explore other pathways I could take with dance. This ultimately lead me to teaching ballet and modeling.
I opened up Little Stars Ballet Club and began teaching ballet, tap, and hip-hop in my at-home dance studio. I wanted to give young kids an affordable way to test the waters before fully committing and going to a real studio. I had over 20 students and we put on multiple recitals. Also during this time, I had my very first photoshoot. I had created a ballet Instagram (@jewel_ballerina) a few years back that was dedicated to photos of me performing, rehearsing, etc. I even would force my mom to come with me and we’d do our own photoshoots around Atlanta! I had my very first TFP shoot at Inman Park. After that, I became the “Model-rina”. A whirlwind of photographers, videographers, and businesses started reaching out to me for different projects. I began doing ballet in music videos, commercials, events, and weddings. Since then, I have worked with big names such as Bsimone, Mielle Organics, LaLa Milan, Tori Williams (TW Events), Judy Blue Jeans, and many more. I even performed for rap artist Metro Boomin’ birthday party.
Today, I am a 21-year-old senior in college majoring in Public Health Education with a minor in dance. I’m currently the director of 2 ballet programs at two schools in the metro Atlanta area. My favorite thing right now is getting to travel and perform at weddings in and outside of Atlanta. Being part of someone’s wedding day is so intimate and I get to touch people in a most special way. My love of dance is still very prevalent in my life. I’m truly blessed to be able to get paid for just simply doing something I love. Not too many people get to say that. I’m grateful for all the support I receive from my mom, family, and friends. My journey to get to this point has been rocky for sure. Now, I’m finally seeing a pay-off in how I am impacting those around me.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
From the beginning of my dance journey, everything has come fairly easy. I’ve always known it was something that would remain in my life for a very long time. When I broke into modeling and performing, I saw some struggles arise. Being my own boss brought about frustration because income wasn’t very consistent and I always felt like I could be doing more. Thought of being kept popping up in the back of my mind. However, after almost 4 years of modeling and performing, that constant thought of “how can I be better?” Is now my fuel and no longer a burden.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Right now, I’m currently the director of 2 ballet programs at two schools in the metro Atlanta area. One thing I specialize in is wedding performances. I have been getting a lot of business in that area. However, I also do music videos, commercials, photoshoots, etc. The thing I’m most proud of attending the Georgia Governor’s Honor’s Program. This is a residential summer program that takes the best of the best from each county in Georgia. I was the very first student from my high school to attend the program for dance. I feel like what sets me apart from other ballerinas is my presence. I have changed the stigma that ballet only belongs on stage. Who says a ballerina can’t dance down the aisle at a wedding? Who says a ballerina can’t be in a music video? Who says a ballerina cant be in a jean commercial?
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
If I could give advice to anybody just starting out, I would. Tell them to stay consistent with everything you do. Being an entrepreneur, you have to promote, brand, and believe in yourself like crazy. Also, your work ethic has to be consistent. The only way to get others to support and believe in you is to consistently beam confidence at all times. Be your biggest cheerleader and promoter.
Contact Info:
- Email: ballerinasrjewels@gmail.com
- Website: https://jeweldellis.squarespace.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jewel_ballerina/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jewelballerina
Image Credits
@apuregem @torreyvision (Torrey Fields) @Dvmproductions2996 (Daniel V. Miranda) @Bernice.cierra (Bernice Cierra)
