About
VUCA
Biography
Salena Elish (DANCE ENSEMBLE DIRECTOR, VU DANCE FACULTY) is an adjunct instructor of dance for Valparaiso University’s Department of Music. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance from Indiana University and has shaped a dual career in dance education and arts administration. Salena has been on the teaching faculty at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (Chicago, IL), the School at Steps (NYC), Long Island University’s Tilles Center for the Arts (Brookville, NY), Pentacle/Danceworks (NYC), and School for Performing Arts (Naperville, IL). She has studied dance pedagogy through programs at American Ballet Theatre (NYC), the Lincoln Center Institute (NYC), 92ndStreet Y (NYC), American Dance Festival (Durham, NC) and the Center for Arts Education (NYC), as well as kinesiology through Columbia University’s Teachers College, Long Island University, New York College of Health Professions and BASI (Body Arts Science International). Salena has been on the management team for Keigwin + Company (NYC), Gallim Dance (NYC), Steps on Broadway (NYC), River North Dance Chicago (Chicago, IL) and Pentacle/Danceworks (NYC), and, most recently, she has joined the board of the Valparaiso Creative Council. Salena is a dedicated advocate of dance and hopes to continue creating opportunities for members of the Valparaiso community to engage in the arts.
Education
- B.A. Dance Performance – Indiana University
- B.A. Mathematics – Indiana University
Interests
- Making dance performance and dance participation accessible to a larger population.
