YELENA KONETCHY
FILMMAKER/DIRECTOR
"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."
THE IVORY SEED
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 is screening at the Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival 2020 and Shot by Shot Film Festival 2020.
LACRIMOSA
Deirdra is drowning in her tears.
Yelena dances as Deirdra.
BLOOM
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.
SOLACE IS
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.
TARA'S DAY OFF, BITCH
Just for fun! Enjoy!
LVnTheLife's IGTV Show "LView"
Yelena is Director and host for "LView", providing Social Media Exposure to local and disabled artists of Texas!
DANCER/CHOREOGRAPHER/INSTRUCTOR
Although recently retired from professionally dancing full-time Yelena is still a great enthusiast for dance and will take on short-term projects.
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.
DANCE INSTRUCTION
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!
DANCE CLASSES
Please contact me for private lessons, choreography, and/or instruction. The videos are only samples of my instruction for each particular student or group of students . Each video is condensed. It is not advisable for students to partake in dance lessons without an instructor present to avoid injury. Due to COVID-19 I am available over Zoom or one-on-one in Los Angeles.
Adult Beg/Int. Classical Ballet Class
Student: Michelle Gomez
Advanced Classical Professional Ballet Classes
Austin Community Ballet
Student: Mina Wares - age 10
Intermediate Classical Ballet Class
Dancer: Eli Lopez - 11 years old
Beginner/Intermediate Pointe Class
Dancer: Erin Spears
Intermediate Advanced Horton Modern Class
Dancer: Astra Elliott - 17 years old
Horton Fortifications & Elementary Balance
Dancer: Astra Elliott - 17 years old
Raymonda Variation
Raymonda Variation performed by Erin Spears - 16 years old
DANCING!
Check out my dancing! If you are interested in Choreography or hiring me please contact me.
JAZZ DANCE
HEEL DANCE
CONTEMPORARY DANCE
CONTEMPORARY LYRICAL DANCE
CONTEMPORARY POP DANCE
JAZZ POP DANCE
JAZZ FREE-STYLE DANCE
MODERN/CONTEMPORARY DANCE
REVIEWS
"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
Contact Yelena