Eric is a native of the West Coast where he began his studies in San Diego at Southwest College, Stage “7” Studio for the Dance Arts, and the California Institute for the Arts. His studies consisted of Modern, Jazz, Ballet, and Tap. After a full-term scholarship at the Dupree Dance Academy in Los Angeles, he has taught dancenot only in the continental United States but all over the globe and has earned a well-respected reputation as one of the best choreographers and dance masters in the genre of jazz and lyrical jazz.
Mr. Ellis has appeared as a feature dancer in such major motion pictures and television productions as “Coming to America”, “Showgirls”, and the Academy Awards Ceremonies. He also received the Grand Champion Award in the Star Search Competition in the Best Dance category for which he was awarded the grand prize of $100,000. In addition to his many appearances in large-scale feature films,prime time television and the legitimate theatre, Eric Ellis has performed in countries spanning the globe, including Canada, Germany, Italy, France, Romania, Japan,Chile, Costa Rica, and Mexico. Mr. Ellis has graced the television screen with performances on MTV, the MTV Awards, and the hit TV show “In Living Color”
as well as in numerous music videos. He has appeared on stage with his dancing talent in “Sisterella” (produced by Michael Jackson) and has performed at such major theatre venues as the El Portal, Wilshire Ebell Theatre, Los Angeles Music Center, and the Pasadena Playhouse. He has also appeared in the halftime shows at many sports venues with the L.A. Classic Crew, consisting of dancers over 50 years
old.
Eric has also danced with such great musical artists as Paula Abdul, Prince, Debra Gibson, Stephanie Mills, Tracy Spencer, and Debbie Allen as well as countless other artists in the music industry. He currently resides in Los Angeles
where he taught Advanced Jazz and Beginning & Intermediate Turns classes at the Millennium Dance Complex in the heart of North Hollywood for many years and is currently teaching Jazz classes at Hama Dance Center.