"I chose to be an Artist in order to express my take on society through filmmaking, valuing the opportunities for audiences to observe their surrounding world from fresh, interpersonal perspectives. I’ve also always been fascinated with the artform of physical movement and its ability to communicate stories through unspoken performance. These elements takes the viewer's imagination into uncharted worlds while challenging the performer to be a great physical actor. The camera’s specificity and focus prepares every part of the performer’s body and soul for a thrilling and inspiring experience. Even the simplest gestures are meaningful. I have been a professional Dance Artist for the last 15 years of my career and discovering film has opened myself up to new artistic possibilities. My new craft has now enabled me to enhance the artist’s performance through the use of the camera."
Hazel plants an unusual seed and finds its mysterious connection to a young boy.
The Ivory Seed ran semi-finalist at the Austin Arthouse Film Festival 2019, and screened at the Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival 2020 and Shot by Shot Film Festival 2020.
Deirdra is drowning in her tears.
Yelena dances as Deirdra.
In a modern, overly-trinketed living room, a child tinkers with her various excessive collections. The space is repositioning around her, sculpted by a task-consumed group of masked personas, intersecting each other’s pathways in perfect, non-colliding harmony. Several realities are existing in conjunction. The child is left to question which of these realities will ultimately serve her.
Bloom had won the Community Initiatives Impact Award from The City of Austin and won best experimental film at Transform Film Festival 2019, screened at Emergence: A Collection of Films in 2018, semi-finalist Arthouse Film Festival 2018, San Souci Festival of Dance Cinema 2019, ADF's Movies by Movers 2019, Shot by Shot Film Festival 2019, Austin Film Project 2019, and The Seam Project 2019.
In the beginning, Emma finds herself in a middle of a one-sided conversation with her lover. She does not speak but is spoken to. While she may have been in this situation several times before she does not like it and has had enough. Her Ego provides her the strength to leave her circumstances. Unsettled with herself she figures it is necessary for her to reevaluate her situation alone in a peaceful setting.
Yelena's very first film, Solace Is. Solace Is screened at the Austin Short Film Festival 2016, NYC Independent Film Festival 2017, and DDCF Dance Film Festival 2017.
Just for fun! Enjoy!
"the great race of the turtle and the hare"
La La Tyler Entertainment with LVnTheLife presents "The Great Race of the Turtle and the Hare" performed April 17, 2022 at Bergfeld Park, Tyler, Texas.
Yelena was Director and played "The Hare"
Yelena is Director and host for "LView", providing Social Media Exposure to local and disabled artists of Texas!
Sky Candy in Austin, TX
Ballet Austin's "The Nutcracker" in Austin, TX.
ABOUT YELENA
Although recently retired from professionally dancing full-time Yelena is still a great enthusiast for dance, as her first and foremost love of the Arts. Yelena creates films, music videos, staged productions, and choreographs.... and yes, sometimes she will dance for you!
Yelena began her career at The Illinois Ballet, followed by Charleston Ballet Theatre, Thel Dance Theatre as Company Manager, and a free- lance Artist. Yelena has worked on various productions from Ballet, commercial, musical theatre, music videos, and Modern Dance. Now she is a filmmaker, videographer, and directs and hosts ongoing IGTV show interviewing Artists of Texas on @lvnthelife.
She has also hosted and managed large events up to 200 people in Emergence: A Collection of Films, B*Tru Arts Family Days at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden, and Solace Is debut screening at Balance Dance Studios.
Yelena began her career at The Illinois Ballet, followed by Charleston Ballet Theatre, Thel Dance Theatre as Company Manager, and a free- lance artist. She has been teaching for 13 years and dancing over 20 years. In addition, she has worked with Sally Bliss of Tudor Foundation, Amanda McKerrow, Andrei Bossov, Grace Holmes, Meg Brooker, Lori Belilove, and Dawn Karlovsky. She can be found at the Library of Congress in preserving works of Isadora Duncan. She is also certified in Vaganova Ballet Technique on scholarship by Ballet Master John White, RAD syllabus by Lynn Wallis, and Lester Horton technique under Ana Marie Forsythe. She loves dance and its valuable lessons for life and the opportunity to be creative!
"We feel so fortunate that Astra was able to continue her Horton practice with you. All of your time and efforts with her are so appreciated. I'm not only referring to the dance technique aspect of your classes with her, but also the comrardery and insight that dance is more than steps and movement. And, that you believed in her and combated the negativity she received from her school dance instructors. I know that she has grown as a dancer and a person because of her time with you. She will most certainly miss her Horton classes and conversations with you!" - Mother of private student Astra Elliot