Meet the Teachers: Miss Ella McMillan

It's time to meet the next teacher in our Meet the Teacher series for 2023!

This week it is the fabulous Miss Ella McMillan. Majority of our beautiful JOKSOD community would recognise Miss Ella as a previous JOKSOD student from just two years ago, who has gone on to study dance full time at Patricks School of the Arts! 

Ella has always been a treasured member of our JOKSOD family, giving so much to the studio and being a wonderful role model to our younger students. 

We are delighted to welcome Ella back as a teacher to our Junior jazz groups on a Saturday morning. Ella will be teaching Junior Jazz and our 10 and Under Jazz troupes, along with some Jazz solos for 2023, covering for our lovely Miss Lucy who is currently on maternity leave.

Here's a bit more about Miss Ella...

1. Where and when did you start dancing?
I started dancing when I was 3 years old at a small recreational school in Somerville before moving to JOKSOD when I was 5 years old starting prep.

2. When did you know you wanted to become a dance teacher?
I knew I wanted to become a dance teacher after I was an assistant teacher for many classes at JOKSOD in my senior high school years. I loved making a connection with the younger dancers both inside and outside the studio walls and being someone, they can come too if they need help and as well as helping them improve.

3. What’s your favourite style/genre of dance and why?
I love all styles of dance but I love jazz dance the most. I love being strong and sharp with lots of energy whilst also showing moments of softness and release. It’s also fun which is most important!

4. What do you love most about teaching?
I love seeing the improvement in students each week in their technical ability but also confidence. Being able to be confident and have fun in class whilst also working hard and improving every week is what I love most.

5. What do you do when you’re not teaching at JOKSOD?
When not teaching at JOKSOD I am undertaking a full time dance course at Patrick School of the Arts up in Chapel Street in the city. I am currently in my second year working towards my Certificate IV in Dance. Training hard to hopefully go to auditions and get professional work in the industry.

6. What is your favourite day out?

When not teaching at JOKSOD or at full time I love a day at the beach on my paddle board. I live in Mount Martha very close to the beach so it is my favourite way to relax and rewind from my busy schedule.

7. Do you have any pets?
Not at the moment but I would love to get one in the future.

8. What is your favourite time of year at JOKSOD and why?
Concert time of course! Everyone is so excited and happy to showcase their hard work from the year. The buzz around the studio during the rehearsal period and concert morning is something to look forward to all year.

9. What do you love most about the JOKSOD community?
I love how happy and energetic everyone is. I love seeing everyone’s smiles as soon as I enter the gate and when in the studios, I love seeing the passion shine through all the hard work.

12. Where do you look for inspiration for choreography?
I often use Spotify, digging deep into Spotify finding music I’ve never listened to before and then improvising to it and finding shapes, movements and positions that are unique or I think match the music or the storyline for the piece. Also, YouTube is very useful, watching iconic video clips for inspiration can spark choreography.

13. What is your favourite dance you’ve ever choreographed and why?
I loved choreographing little routines over the lockdown period and sharing them with friends and students over Zoom. It was a perfect way to communicate and do something we love together in a hard time when we couldn’t be together. It was very special.

14. What is your favourite theatre show?
I love Moulin Rouge. Moulin Rouge is every dancers dream to be in, the music, lights, choreography, and sets. Everything is just amazing. Unfortunately, I would most likely be too short to ever be in it.

15. If you were not a dance teacher, what would you be doing instead?
If not a dance teacher, I would love to study sports science and/or nutrition as it ties in with my life perfectly and feel it would be beneficial.

You can read more about Miss Ella on our teachers page.