Elana Skeers

Fulbright/University of Roehampton Award in Music & Dance

Elana Skeers received her Baccalaureate in Arts with College Honors from the University of Washington, majoring in Dance and minoring in Applied Mathematics and Data Science. She has trained, performed, and taught in Southern California, San Francisco, New York City, Seattle, and Salt Lake City, primarily in Western theatrical dance forms including ballet, contemporary, and modern.

She completed additional arts education training through the Seattle Dance Institute for Teachers and the Teaching Artist Training Lab, incorporating Brain-Compatible Dance Education and Universal Design for Learning into her teaching. Elana’s pedagogy emphasizes student agency, creativity, and community building.

Her research investigates gender disparities and social stereotypes within Western theatrical dance, with a focus on expanding access and challenging traditional norms. Through her integrated work as an educator, artist, and scholar, Elana strives to create inclusive, community-centered dance experiences and is committed to using dance as a platform for empowerment and social change.

During her time at the University of Roehampton as a Fulbright scholar, she aims to deepen her understanding of culturally relevant community dance education by engaging with artists from diverse backgrounds and practices, continuing to develop approaches that amplify underrepresented perspectives within and beyond the dance field.