Ze Ellis
Coryphée
Joined The Sarasota Ballet in 2022 as an Apprentice, promoted to Corps de Ballet in 2023, and promoted to Coryphée in 2025.
Born: Ohio and raised in West Virginia
Training: The Sarasota Ballet’s Studio Company, The Sarasota Ballet Conservatory, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, Arts Triumphant Dance Theatre
Previous company: None
Favorite quote: “Many people are alive but don’t touch the miracle of being alive.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh
Favorite role: Elite Syncopations! I loved dancing with the orchestra on stage and feeling that booming ragtime music. It’s a ballet that I’ve watched videos of many other amazing companies perform and I’m so grateful to have been a part of it!
Favorite costume: Child of Darkness from Dante’s Sonata. This costume is basically nude shorts with a black snake-like fabric climbing up your leg, around your waist, and onto your arm. Super fun and super evil looking!
Fun fact: I love to sing, write songs, and play guitar!
Featured Roles include: Ashton’s Dante Sonata, Facade, Illuminations Sacred Love Pas de Cinq; Les Patineurs, Varii Capricci; Balanchine’s Divertimento No. 15, Rubies, Serenade, Western Symphony, Who Cares?; Bintley’s A Comedy of Errors, ‘Still Life’ at the Penguin Café; Bond’s Excursions, Panoramic Score, The Waiting Room; de Valois’ The Rake’s Progress; Graziano’s Amorosa, Schubert Variations, Sonatina; Kobborg’s Salute; Lang’s The Lorenz Butterfly, Lyric Pieces, A Time of Beauty; MacMillan’s Elite Syncopations; Taylor’s Company B; Wright’s Giselle, Summertide