Today we’d like to introduce you to Ella WM.
Ella, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
My mom’s always say that I’ve been performing on coffee tables, for family gatherings, etc. since I could walk. But I remember starting my dance career at the age of 4 with tap. Tap then led me to Jamnastic’s Inc. where I trained, choreographed, and performed in the hip hop genre. In high-school & college, I developed my love for modern, west-African, dancehall, and soca. In 2014, I dove into my performing career as a dancer being a company member of Danza Organica, and Crewnex. I have also performed for many Soca artists for over 4 consecutive years. Simultaneously, I was and still am a dance teacher to many kids of the Cambridge and Boston area; The Benjamin Banneker Public Charter School, BalletRox, Davis Leadership Academy, and now the King K-8 School. As one can see, I went through my entire life moving, but not necessarily speaking out. As I mentioned before, I am a teacher, and I always tell my students: “Don’t let anyone tell you no. Don’t dim your light to make others comfortable. Shine bright! Follow and live out your dreams, goals, and truths through your passions, compassionately.” With that being said, in 2016 I told myself I need to practice what I preach. In turn, without dropping my love for dance, I began to write my own songs, and collaborate with local producers and singers, to show myself that my voice is worthy. That with hard work, effort, and love, I can do everything and anything I set out to do!
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am currently working on my own music project with all songs written by myself (working with different local producers and engineers such as Gregory Weekes and Daniel Dalexis). The music side of my life derives from a place of being silent for so many years whereas now I am living from a stronger, more confident place in my life. I choose to practice what I preach to my students, and constantly remind them & myself of our worthiness of success in our truths and passions. I am very aware of the words I use (I do not curse in my lyrics) and messages I convey because I am a teacher to youth of all ages. I am very aware of the influence I have on them as an adult and role model. I express my truth, my story through my words. I also love to leave things up for interpretation, hence why I haven’t given much detail to the story(s) behind my music. I know where they stem from, but I want listeners to have their own experience through my music.
For my choreographer and dancer side…I have created choreography and danced for local artists and worked with many Soca artists from Trinidad and Tobago. I have also created my own pieces of work, some of which can be viewed on my YouTube (Ella WM). I love to explore and express myself through afrocentric styles of dance. I find it very important to have confidence in my roots and cultures, and so the dance styles such as West African and hip-hop, allow me to feel the strength and power of those that came before me. Afrocentric styles allow me to build my confidence and unapologetic nature in who I am as a black woman in this world.
I always hope that people take away honest “feels” from my art. Whether it be a dance piece or song that I wrote, I hope they are able to feel what I am saying and furthermore feel & explore their own feelings that come up.
Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
RESOURCES.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
People can see the majority of my work through my YouTube channel “Ella WM” and/or Instagram “_ellawm”. My Instagram is also great place to stay up to date with any performances or projects I participate in.
People can support my dance content by viewing, liking, subscribing/following, and sharing my work, whereas with my music content people will soon be able to listen, purchase, and stream my songs on all platforms. Donations and investors are also greatly appreciated and valued considering the time, effort, and resources that go into creating great pieces of art.
Contact Info:
- Email: ella15wm@gmail.com
- Instagram: _ellawm
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ella.wechslermatthaei
Image Credit:
2 solo shots taken by: Thang Ho of Hocastudios
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