
Ellen S.

Teaching Locations:

***During the pandemic, I am offering these classes at a low rate as my way of giving back to the community.***
About Ellen S.
Hi! My name is Ellen and I am a professional dance artist based in NYC and currently living in Israel. Since gaining my BFA in Dance Performance from East Carolina University in 2013, I have toured with companies all over the world (U.S., Germany, Israel) to perform and teach as a professional contemporary dance artist. I have been dancing for 27 years and I have been teaching for 10 years. I have taught almost all ages of all levels: young students (4-18), university-level students, young adults, middle-aged adults, and seniors. I am a certified instructor of Nadine Bommer's renowned free-movement method of 'Kinetica'. I am additionally certified in Dance Fitness, am a practiced Hip Hop teacher and performer, and am proficient in many styles of dance. Here in Israel, I teach other professional dance artists and I perform with the primary company here. I currently teach students ages 9-20 in the styles of hip hop and contemporary. I am a sought-out teacher and choreographer and I have taught Guest Artist/Master Classes in Northern VA, Richmond VA, Washington DC, Greenville NC, Austin TX, New York City (including classes at major studios Gibney, Mark Morris and Peridance) and in Israel. I have been acknowledged and awarded for my choreography and I am the Artistic Director of DEPTH Dance.
My minor (and general interest) in psychology allows me to relate to humans while I help them relate to their bodies and their minds. I am proficient in meditation and movement therapy, and I find great joy in connecting people of any age or level to the limitless world of movement. Join me!!
***During the pandemic, I'm offering my classes at a low rate as my way of giving back to the community.***
Reviews
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Ellen is encouraging and took us from where we started. We’re excited by what we will be learning.

Ellen is fantastic! Super supportive while also helping you grow as a dancer. Definitely recommend working with her!

Went at my pace!

Helen is a professional!!
She’s an amazing dancer, very patient


Ellen is a fantastic teacher and person. Her classes were very important for my mental and physical health, and were more than worth it in many ways. I knew nothing about the technique, but Ellen taught with patience, grace, knowledge, and passion. Definitely will take classes with her in the future. Cannot recommend her enough!

I have been lucky enough to work with Ellen both as a student of hers and as a collaborator. She's never been anything less than incredible. As a teacher she's kind, patient and doesn't judge you in the slightest. Her class is paced well and is great for all levels of ability. As an Artist and collaborator she's incredibly well spoken and clear-headed about her work, and it's clear that she is incredibly passionate about dance.

Ellen is an excellent teacher and her classes are always an incredible experience. I highly recommend her instruction - her classes are consistently moving and freeing.

I’ve taken several online classes with Ellen and each one has been great! Ellen makes you feel as though you are right there with her in spite of the online setting. Her constant guidance and vivid descriptions of what she (and I) were trying to achieve, opened the door to a whole new way of looking at dance for me. Ellen’s calm and approachable demeanor were what made me feel comfortable as I explored brand new concepts in Ellen‘s classes. Five big stars!

Ellen is the best dance instructor I’ve ever had. She has a way of getting the absolute most out of you in both skill and creativity with body movement. She is super energetic and is able to commect with everyone she teaches. I am super stoked to take more of her classes!

If you’re looking for a new dance challenge online look no further; Ellen is a phenomenal teacher and choreographer who I’ve had the pleasure working with both in person and online. She is very attentive and every class has a very personal experience as if she is there in the room with you. Ellen has a broad range of different dance styles that she likes to fuse in her classes. She also teaches multiple skills way further beyond just a movement dance class such as mental preparation, critical thinking and expanding your own horizon of what you think you can do. Get ready to grow some unique skills and dance moves for your dance career or for your own personal dance pleasure.

I have attended several of Ellen‘s online kinetica classes. So much fun!
Ellen made me feel comfortable with the most ridiculous moves, leaving me feeling free-spirited and relaxed, while also connected with natural movements of the world around me.
I highly recommend!
Photos & Videos
12 Photos & VideosExperience
Hip Hop, Contemporary, and Kinetica Teacher
Jan 2020 - PresentNadine Bommer Dance Company
Hip hop (common styles & krump technique) taught to ages 12-15 and 15-20 Contemporary (improvisation, floor-work, partnering, phrasework) taught to ages 9-12, 12-15, and 15-20 Kinetica (the free-movement method created by Nadine Bommer) taught to ages 9-12, 12-15, and 15-20 Also taught these classes via Zoom 10/11/20 - current
Artistic Director
Apr 2017 - PresentDEPTH Dance
I am the founder of DEPTH Dance, an NYC contemporary dance company that emphasizes humanism, empowers females, and explores depth psychology. Via my company, I have taught many open classes, master classes, and workshops. For more info and to see accomplishments, visit www.ellensickenberger.com/depthdance
Kinetica Teacher for the NBDC Professional Training Program
Jan 2020 - Apr 2020Nadine Bommer Dance Company
Taught the free-movement method of Kinetica to professional dance artists in a 3-month program on behalf of the Nadine Bommer Dance Company in Israel (one of two teachers for this program) Professional-level dancers from various countries around the world, ages 18-32 Students develop a deep connection with energy, their bodies and each other while learning the art of absolute presence through movement Taught the remainder of this program via Zoom, 3/14/20 – 3/31/20 Continued teaching ONLINE (Zoom) Kinetica classes, open to the public of all levels and ages: 3/31/20 - current
Contemporary Dance Teacher
Jan 2016 - Dec 2019Gibney Dance, Mark Morris Dance, Peridance
Taught intermediate and advanced-level contemporary dance classes for professionals Classes consisted of highly imaginative improvisation, energy work, movement exploration, partnering/contact work and phrase work. Classes designed to reach outside dancers’ comfort zone as well as connect them to their bodies and to their surroundings, in addition to awakening inner dialogue
Hip Hop Teacher
Oct 2014 - Oct 2015South Shore School of Dance
I taught hip hop to competition-level dancers (ages 14-18) at this prestigious studio in Long Island!
Education
BFA Dance Performance; Minor Psychology
Aug 2009 - May 2013East Carolina University
Languages
English
Fluent / Native Proficiency
Hebrew
Limited Proficiency
Certifications
Kinetica Teacher Certification
Nov 2019Nadine Bommer Dance Company
Dance Fitness Instructor
Mar 2019FORWARD Space
Ultra Barre Certified
May 2012Ultra Barre - Teal Darkenwald
Awards
"Audience Favorite" Award
Apr 2018Austin Dance on Film Festival
"Favorite Choreography" Award
May 2013ECU Dance Program
Washington Post Music and Dance Scholarship Award
Feb 2011Washington Post
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