We’re looking forward to introducing you to Ellie Potts Barrett. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Ellie, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I teach at Dance at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, which is a magnet public high school for the arts, in Jacksonville, Florida. We are on a block schedule, so the days are either an A or a B day. On A days I start teaching at 10am with Modern Class, Musical Theatre class and then finish with afternoon Modern. If it’s a B day, I teach Dance Aesthetics at 8:35, then in order, Modern, Musical Theatre dance and end the day with afternoon Modern. Morning Modern includes levels 2-5; afternoon levels include 6,7 and Dance Theatre.
When we are working on the Fall musical, we rehearse after school. This is usually from September through November’s performance.
When I’m not in rehearsal, I teach at a local studio for a few nights twice a week.
It’s a busy schedule!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a Dance Educator/Choreographer and I started teaching when I was dancing professionally in Boston with the Ina Hahn Modern Dance Company. Ina was one of my teachers at Boston Conservatory and she was a member of the Martha Graham Dance Company, as well as the Doris Humphrey / Charles Weidman, Dance Company. I have been fortunate to study with true legends in dance, modern dance, particularly. When I had my weekends free in Boston, I’d go into Manhattan and take dance classes with some very well-known jazz and modern dance teachers, as well as attend auditions. Along with everything else I was doing, I always found time to teach.
At school we have 2-3 Dance Concerts a year which keeps me busy as well as our Fall musical. Our school is incredibly unique and our students are amazingly talented. We have many success stories as they get into the best college dance programs as well as the best theatre programs in the country. Many of our students are currently performing on Broadway, in National tours and/or are in Modern and Ballet companies.
Our Fall musicals at Douglas Anderson have been adjudicated by the Applause Awards Organization (Part of the Education Department of the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Centre in Orlando) for the past four years. I am proud to mention that I have been awarded the Best Choreographer award by them for our past four shows. Those shows were A CHORUS LINE; CHICAGO; NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 and HADESTOWN, TEEN VERSION.
My next project is choreographing ANASTASIA at another high school locally. I do love collaborating with fellow artists and I love learning from them. I adjudicate, teach and create for dance organizations throughout the year and also sit on the Board of Directors for the Florida Dance Education Organization.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
Everyone who I have ever worked with has taught me something about what I do. That is a really strong statement. They have all….directors, dancers, choreographers, adjudicators, friends and family…have taught me something, whether it be positive or not.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Never! Even through heartbreak and rejection, I always knew this was my path!
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely! What you see is exactly what you get!
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
Hmmmmmmm, when I’m gone I hope people remember that I was always on time! LOL, oh and true to my word, and thank you to you, Orlando Voyager, for this opportunity!!!
Contact Info:
- Website: Https://www.ElliePottsBarrett.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ebarrett454/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/epbdance
Image Credits
Photos by @erdelyiphotography and @geekchicphoto
