Meet De'asia Ellis! Founder, artistic director, and more for Baltimore Lab Project. She is always eager and excited to work to better our youth. With a bachelor's degree in Education Policy and a Master of Education with a concentration in At-risk and diverse learners, De'asia understands the need for programs such as this one in communities.

 

De'asia Started dancing at the age of 5, from 5-11 she danced at numerous dance studious across Baltimore City. At the age of 9-14, she attended Baltimore School for the Arts TWIGS program for theatre, at the age of 12 she fell in love with Arena Players (a theatre program in Baltimore City) and attended from the ages 12-18. There, she was in several musicals from The Wiz, 13 the Musical, Metaphasia, and more. Here she received training in dance, theatre, stage production, and character development.  

 

De'asia has been fascinated with theatre and performing her entire life and speaks on how it gave her a voice when she felt voiceless. Her biggest mission is to provide opportunities and spaces where students can showcase their artistry and grow internally as well as externally.​

 

De'asia Has been teaching dance since her Sophomore year of college (going on 6 years now). She started with volunteering at Arena Players and from there started working at Dynamix Dance Corp. There, she was able to serve as a recreational and competition team teacher/choreographer. She has also worked with the competition and recreational team at Carroll School of Dance, again choreographing and teaching. Through these studios, she gained knowledge, patience, and a well rounded approach to teaching, choreographing, and helping our youth achieve their goals.

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For the past two years she has become more invested  in her passion for Musical Theatre. She has choreographed as well as directed youth Musicals at Arena Players (the oldest Black continues theatre in the country). De'asia has choreographed musicals such as; Into the Woods, Annie, Bring it the musical, and more. She has also not only choreographed but, directed her first musical this past Summer (2022), Jungle Book.

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She has choreographed a number of competition routines over the past 5 years and has received  1st-10th overall, special awards, and golden tickets.​

 

De'asia does not believe that perfection exist or that we should strive for it. She simply believes that  imperfection can be molded into success.​​