Meet Erin Elise | Performer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Erin Elise and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erin, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Honestly… don’t tell anyone this, but I would probably still be performing even if I never got paid for it. I found dance and aerial arts as a hobby a few years ago and just fell in love with it. I love the challenge of pushing my limits physically, as well as the expression and creative outlet it provides. As much as I enjoyed dancing and training in the studio for myself, once I had the opportunity to perform for an audience and share that passion with others I was hooked. I still feel humbled and honored that people value my craft and want to hire me to be a part of the special moments in their lives, whether it is a holiday party, wedding or birthday. I take a lot of pride in what I do, and I’m just so happy to share that with others.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a performer, dancer and aerialist, and I provide entertainment for events such as holiday parties, weddings or corporate events. I mostly perform on an apparatus called a “lollipop” which is an aerial hoop that is fixed on a base rather than being suspended from the ceiling. My goal and mission as a performer is to continually perfect my craft, in order to provide audiences with an experience that is of the highest professional quality and always full of joy.
Like a lot of creatives, my work as a professional performer started as a recreational hobby that transitioned into paid work, starting slowly with the occasional gig here and there. Performing for any audience can be nerve wracking, but once I started accepting paid work as a performer the impostor syndrome was REAL! Overcoming that is a constant challenge, but it is also so rewarding to create an act I am proud of and share that with others. I would encourage anyone thinking about taking the leap of turning a passion into a job not to wait till you feel “ready”. You will always feel like you can and should be better, but putting yourself out there is how you learn and grow.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well my first suggestion would be to take a dance or aerial class at one of Denver’s many studios, there are so many great options, but obviously I am partial to the Dance and Pole class I teach on Tuesday’s at Hard Candy Dance Studio. I also think no trip to Denver would be complete without a day trip to the mountains, but if you can’t get all the way out there, my favorite outdoor activities around the front range are stand up paddle boarding at Chatfield Reservoir and playing in Clear Creek or hiking around Golden, CO. I’m also a huge fan of the Movement Climbing Centers if you are looking for an indoor adventure.
As far as food is concerned, I am a huge sucker for a good bakery and some of my favorites are Izzio in Denver Central Market, and GetRight’s in Wheat Ridge. For a night out, getting dressed up and getting drinks in Cherry Creek or RiNo never disappoints, and since I’m not a big drinker I do really appreciate places with a lot of nonalcoholic options like Honey Elixir Bar in RiNo.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shout out to Brian for his endless support. I also want to thank Marquette Carrington for teaching me everything I know about performing, none of this would have been possible without you. Last, but not least I’d like to shout out to everyone I have ever had the privilege to share a stage with, and thank everyone who has been a member of the audience and given me your support and applause.

Website: https://erinelise.dance

Instagram: erin_elise_performance

Image Credits
Snuffy Whipple
Kacey Cole
Jason Martin