Elena Samodanova

Professional Summary

Core Qualifications

• Able to lead large and small groups

• Excellent at one-on-one instruction

• Proficient in ballroom and Latin dance

• Dedicated to the art of dance

• Mentor to dancers all over the world

  Education and Honors

• Drama and Theatre, Moscow Theatre Arts University, MA.   

• World Dance Championship, Australian Representative

• Top 10 World Ranking, Latin America

• International Champion: Australia, Asia,

  Japan, Singapore and England

• 4-time Title Holder, Australia

•  Exceptional ability to be creative

•  Television and theatre experience

• Capability to produce all aspects of various size stage shows

• Australian Professional Top Dancer

•  National Dance Sport of America Member

• Member of Hong Kong Ballroom Dancing Association 

• Council, Associate of the Latin American Branch recognized as a qualified Teacher of Dancing

•  Member of National Association of Teachers of Dancing, Associate of Professional Latin American Branch

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• "Peninsula Hotel" Dance Stage Show for CNN International,Hong Kong                          2023

•  “The Other Side” Music Video, Los Angeles, CA                                                                  2019       

                  Developed choreography and worked with the team for country

                   artist Lauren Alaina’s music video “The Other Side” to express the emotions of the song.

       

    ProDance LA Owner & Head Instructor 2018 – Current Pro Dance LA, Los Angeles, CA                           2018-Current 

• Responsible for hiring dance teachers and staff, creating dance classes and developing special events.

• Teach all levels of ballroom and Latin dance for kids and adults.

• Prepare students to reach their full potential through proper guidance, technique and confidence.

• Give students the opportunity to attend local, national and international dance competitions as well as

  special dance events.

• Partner with local organizations and schools to foster community relations.

   

• Dance Choreographer 2018 How to Get Away with Murder                                                   2018

• Developed choreography for club dance scene for season 5, episode 4 to express feel of salsa dancing.

Choreographer 2018 So You Think You Can Dance, Los Angeles, CA

• Responsible for teaching and working with top 10 dance couple to learn ballroom dancing.

• Developed choreography for cha cha dance for academy week and samba for grand finale.

  Producer 2018 Pro Dance Camp, Palm Springs, CA

• Developed concept to give fans of dance shows and dance students opportunity to learn from top dancers from Dancing with the Stars.

• Designed daily schedule (classes, reception, private lessons & dance show) for those in attendance to get the most of the weekend.

• Managed elements from location/hotel, website booking, hiring talent/teachers and staff so weekend dance experience event was a success.

• Created, choreographed and performed in professional dance show.

Producer and Choreographer 2016 One More Dance, London

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Developed all aspects of stage show from concept, script, staging, design, performances, marketing and more to bring the vision of this special show to the London audience.

Provided dance direction and all choreography for show. Worked with a cast of 20 professional dancers and singers.

Producer and Choreographer 2016 Ballroom Superstars, Sydney, Australia

• Developed all elements of stage show from concept, script, staging, design performances, marketing and more to bring the vision of this show to the Australian audience.

• Handled the dance direction and choreography for the show.

• Worked with a cast of 20 professional dancers and singers.

  Producer and Choreographer 2015 Dancing Stars, Russia

• Created this unique stage musical for the Russian audience.

• As producer, oversaw all elements of the production including script, staging, design and working

  with a cast of over 25 musicians and dancers.

• As choreographer, created all dance numbers to bring a variety of dance numbers to the stage.

  Head Judge 2015 Dancing with the Stars, Russia

  • Scored and gave feedback to pro dancers and celebrities during the show in order to provide constructive advice to help with their dance journey.

  • As head judge, had final decision for competition show contestants.

    Choreographer 2015 Dancing with the Stars, Russia

• Provided choreography for to enhance the dance performances including technique and creativity.

Pro Dancer and Choreographer 2014 Dancing with the Stars – Bollywood, India

• Taught dance, created choreography and performed with actor Karan Tacker who made it to the finals.

• Created choreography for dancers on the show to elevate the dance performances.

  Choreographer 2014 So You Think You Can Dance, Australia

• Choreographed and taught ballroom and Latin dances including paso doble and samba for couples to develop proper technique and develop unique show performances.

Choreographer/Professional Dancer 2013 The Voice, Australia

• Worked on choreography and danced in Ricky Martin performance to enhance the show number.

Professional Dancer 2013 Everybody Dance Now, Australia

• Danced on reality television dance competition show as part of the cast.

Choreographer and Pro Dancer 2012 Dancing with the Stars, Australia

• As choreographer and pro dancer created and danced in numbers for show with singer Shannon Noll.