Monica Ellison
Co-Founder, Executive Director
Originally from Baltimore, MD, she earned a BFA in Dance Performance from Southern Methodist University. Her professional journey includes ensemble work with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company 2 (Dayton, OH), principal roles with Balance Dance Theatre (Brooklyn, NY), and guest performances with Sudden Enlightenment Theatre (Queens, NY), including a memorable show in Seoul, Korea. She was also an ensemble dancer in the off-Broadway production of Susan Stroman’s ‘Contact,’ directed by Tomé Cousin.
Monica’s teaching path commenced in Chattanooga, TN, where she covered ballet, pointe, modern, and jazz for all skill levels across various dance studios such as Cleveland City Ballet (Cleveland, TN) and Creative Arts Guild (Dalton, GA). Additionally, Monica and her husband founded and run a nonprofit organization, which offers movement with music to preschools at no cost to families, and provides free or low-cost Capoeira classes and experiences to the community.
With a rich history of dance in Chattanooga, Monica embarked on a unique endeavor by establishing Create Your Dance Life. This enterprise seamlessly merges her roles as a teacher and performer, enabling her to assume the role of Making Moves Coordinator for Chattanooga Ballet. This venture builds on her ongoing relationship with the company, which started in 2021 when she began teaching at the Boys and Girls Club.
Complementing her role with Chattanooga Ballet, Monica shares her expertise as a guest instructor at local institutions like Massari Wood Dance and Pop Up Project. Her journey is adorned with standout performances, including collaborations with Ann Law and dancers at Barking Legs. Beyond her performances, Monica’s dedication to dance is palpable through her daily dance practice, an intimate journey she generously shares on social media, inspiring others to explore their own dance paths.
Tanqueray Harper
Teaching Artist
is a Wolf Trap Teaching Artist, fire performer, and multi-passionate artist whose engagement with the community now spans across creative and educational pursuits. Juno is also a photographer and founder of True Capture Studios, a mission-based documentation company that aims to capture community engagement projects and creative collaborations through photography and videography. Their work celebrates neurodiversity and encourages an interdisciplinary approach to learning and self expression. This is their first season teaching in the Move N Groove Kidz program.
Aaron "Cherokee Ellison"
Co-Founder, Lead Teaching Artist
Aaron “Cherokee” Ellison was born and raised in Chattanooga. His performance credits include dancing with Chattanooga hip-hop group the Hot Boys, which served as an opening act for
Three Six Mafia and other Hangtime events. He won a speaking role in the movie Remember the Titans. When he moved to Atlanta, his Capoeira journey began with Communidade De
Capoeira Atlanta. He continued to travel around the U.S. and eventually made his way back to Chattanooga, all while continuing his training in Atlanta and Nashville. Cherokee studied Capoeira Angola Palmares under Mestre Gulliver and continues to learn from many accredited Capoeira educators. Cherokee and his wife Monica co founded and direct a nonprofit
that features the Move N Groove Kidz program which offers movement and music on site to participating preschools for free, as well as Capoeira Chattanooga, which offers free or low-cost classes to ages 6 and up.
Zoe Chatman
Teaching Artist
has been in the arts for over 10 years. She started her career at the Chattanooga Theatre Center and shortly after she pursued performing opportunities around town. From community theaters to private projects, Zoe understands the importance of the arts and how theater and dance/movement education is beneficial to society. Zoe assisted in teaching the kindergarten acting class at CTC, then proceeded to become president of a teen outreach group called Theater Quest. She is still pursuing the arts and is entering her second full year teaching in the Move N Groove Kidz program.
