Biography

​

Ashley Ellis, from Torrance, California, is a principal dancer with the Boston Ballet.

Ellis trained at the South Bay Ballet under the direction of Diane Lauridsen, other influences included Alicia Head, Mario Nugara, Charles Maple, and Kimberly Olmos. During these years she attended intensive programs at the San Francisco Ballet, School of American Ballet, and three years

at the American Ballet Theatre, on full scholarship.  Ellis was the recipient of the Coca Cola scholarship award in 2000 and 2001, and won the first prize at the Los Angeles´ Music Center Spotlight Award in 1999.

Ellis began her professional career by dancing with the ABT studio company and the next year joined the prestigious American Ballet Theatre. In 2007, after six years with ABT, Ellis moved to Spain to join a  touring group led by Angel Corella, leading her to become one of the founding members of his new company, Corella Ballet de Espana.  She danced as a soloist under the direction of Mr. Corella for three years before moving back to the USA.  Ellis, spent a season dancing with the Sarasota Ballet before moving to Boston.

In 2011, Ellis joined Boston Ballet as a second soloist, was promoted to soloist in 2012, and assumed the rank of Principal Dancer the following year in 2013.  Ms Ellis has toured with the above companies and made numerous guest appearances, bringing her to theaters around the world.

Ashley is married to choreographer and teacher George Birkadze.  She is also the owner of her own dancewear line, RubiaWear.   Available at rubiawear.com

Ms Ellis’ principal repertoire includes

Natalia Makarova’s & Florence Clerc’s La Bayadère (Gamzatti & Nikiya)

Mikko Nissinen’s Swan Lake; the Nutcracker

Sir Fredrick Ashton’s The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Le Rendezvous, The Dream

John Cranko’s Onegin (Olga)

Yuri Possokhov’s The Firebird (Firebird)

Ivan Liska’s Le Corsaire (Medora)

Val Caniparoli’s Lady of the Camellias (Marguerite)

George Balanchine’s Coppelia, Serenade (Waltz), Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, Who Cares?, Symphony in C, Divertimento #15, Allegro Brilliante, Jewels (Emeralds & Diamonds), Theme and Variations, Episodes

William Forsythe's Artifact (2nd pas de deux) 

John Neumeier’s Third Symphony of Gustav Mahler (4th mov)

Harald Landers’ Etudes

Jerome Robbins’ Fancy Free (Pas girl), The Concert (the Ballerina)

Christopher Wheeldon’s Polyphonia (Wedding pas), VIII (Ana Bolena), DGV

Jiri Kylian’s Petite Mort, Wings of Wax, Symphony of Psalms, Bella Figura

Léonide Massine’s Gaite Parisiense (Glove Seller)

Leonid Jacobson’s Pas de Quatre

Jorma Elo’s Awake Only, C to C

Wayne McGregor’s Chroma

Stanton Whelch’s Clear, Long and Winding Road

Twyla Tharp’s In The Upper Room

Clark Tippet's Bruch Violin Concerto

Also works by Hans Van Manen, Helen Pickett, Petr Zuska, George Birkadze, Angel Corella, Christopher Bruce,  among others.