Ellen Akashi, originally from California, began studying dance at Southland Ballet Academy under Salwa Rizkalla. She received her BFA from Chapman University and continued at the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance’s year-round program. Ellen has performed multiple seasons with contemporary dance companies Backhausdance and Laurie Sefton Creates (formerly Clairobscur Dance), and danced in music videos, opera projects, and various pre-production workshops. Ellen most recently performed as Marie Claire in Company XIV’s Nutcracker Rouge.