Life story
Elina “Elimel” Mellov — Dance Teacher, Choreographer and Creative Director
Elina Mellov (artist name Elimel) is a contemporary dance, creative dance and ballet teacher, choreographer, and multidisciplinary artist whose work integrates movement, improvisation, and somatic awareness. She operates under Elimel Art OÜ and works across educational institutions, studios and her own project-based programs.
Her dance journey began in childhood with rhythmic gymnastics and continued at Ida Dance School and Tallinn Ballet School, where she studied from grades 5 to 11. Her later professional experience in dance, theatre and visual arts has shaped a holistic and contemporary teaching approach — supportive, developmental and moderately demanding, without the rigidity of traditional training models. At the core of her practice are joy of movement, embodied awareness and independent thinking.
Elina approaches each child with attentiveness and creativity. Her classes develop coordination, rhythmic awareness, flexibility, balance, improvisational skills and self-expression. She believes that dance fosters self-confidence, focus and emotional intelligence and that a child’s growth begins in a safe and supportive environment.
As a choreographer, she creates works collaboratively with children, where themes, movement material and costume concepts emerge through co-creative processes. Her focus lies on respectful communication, teamwork and supporting children’s natural impulse to express themselves.
In addition to her work in dance education, Elina is also a photographer, director and visual artist. Her experience in combining visual arts with movement helps children understand the body as an expressive medium within a broader cultural and aesthetic context. This multidisciplinary background brings depth to her teaching and offers students an opportunity to encounter dance in a way that is contemporary, professional and inspiring.
WORK Experience
December 2025 — Present, Motion Studio, Contemporary Dance Teacher-Choreographer
September 2025 — Present, Tallinna Nõmme Huvikool, Dance Teacher-Choreographer
September 2024 — June 2025, Tantsustaar Huvikool, Dance Teacher-Choreographer
Since 2021 — Elimel Art OÜ, Founder, Creative Director & Photographer
competitions
Kuldne Karikas Spotlight Challenge Kevad 2025, Tants "Kübar" Creative Dance Duo, Noored II — 1 koht
Kuldne Karikas Suvefestival Võistlused 24.05.2025, Tants "Kübar" Creative Dance Duo, Noored II - Täiskasvanud — 2 koht
Education
Jan 2026 — VAHELÜLI - Dancing Through Unsafe Times, Estonian Dance Agency
Nov 2025 — Experiential Workshop on Dance and Movement Therapy, Kelli Kiipus
Nov 2025 — Baltic Dance Network Workshop: Navigating the Bodily Archive, Rūta Ronja Pakalne & Rūta Pūce
Nov 2025 — Baltic Dance Network Workshop: Tools for “K”, Vilma Pitrinaite
Nov 2025 — Countertechnique & Paper Bridge Partnering, Borna Babić
2025 — Learner-Centered Teaching in Sports: From Evidence-Based Theory to Effective Practice, Tallinn University
16 Sept 2025 — Workshop, Jarkko Mandelin, Tantsuruum
21–24 Aug 2025 — Workshop, Júlia Vavra, Sõltumatu Tantsu Lava (Independent Dance Stage)
Dance Specialist, Level 5 (219734) — Estonian Dance Art and Dance Education Union
Valid until 01.12.2029
Valid until 01.12.2029
19–20 May 2025 — Upside Down – Inside Out, Šuka Horn (6h)
15–29 March 2025 — Children’s Dance Teacher Training, NGO Estonian Dance Education Association (30 academic hours)
29 Oct 2024 — First Aid E-Training + Practical Training (16h), Juunika Koolitus
05–06 Oct 2024 — Floorwork Technique, Amalie Stitz (6h), Tantsuruum (Estonian Dance Agency)
Aug–Nov 2024 — Advanced Training Program for Dance Teachers, NGO Estonian Dance Education Association
120 academic hours (96 contact + 24 independent study)
120 academic hours (96 contact + 24 independent study)
11–13 June 2024 — Dance Technique Intensive, Greetel Joanna Võrk (6h)
01–02 June 2024 — Elbow Awareness and Boundaries, Mari-Liis Eskusson (8h)
May–July 2024 — Smart Body Use for Dancers, Kristiina Orlova
(20h training + 10h independent study)
(20h training + 10h independent study)
2020 — Entrepreneurship Training (160h), Projektiekspert OÜ
2017 — International Choreography and Music Collaboration Workshop (N+ECa Network), Tallinn University
2017 — Discover the Potential of Improvisation and Creativity, Tallinn University
2017 — Voice, Word and Thought Through Play and Improvisation, Theatre Games Masterclass
2014–2018 — BA Sound Design, Tallinn University
2011–2014 — BA Spanish Language and Culture (incomplete)
2011 — Pre-Academic Dance Training Program, Viljandi Culture Academy
2008 — Basic First Aid Course (16h), EMK “Gratsija” Ltd
2008–2010 — Yakobson Children’s Ballet Theatre, Saint Petersburg
2002–2008 — Tallinn Ballet School
2005–2006 — Tallinn Rhythmic Gymnastics Training
2001–2002 — Irina Seletskaya Dance Studio, Narva-Jõesuu
2000–2001 — Narva Paemuru Sports School
1998–2000 — Ida Dance School, Tartu
1996–1998 — Kalev Sports Society – Tartu Children and Youth Sports School (Rhythmic Gymnastics)
Dance Roles
2025 — Estonian Dance Celebration “Iseoma”, Gymnastics Group
2009 — Spartak, “Slaves”
2009 — Sleeping Beauty, “Singing Canary” (and additional supporting performances)
2009 — The Nutcracker, Children, Soldiers, Mice, Arabian Dance, Flower Waltz
2006 — The Nutcracker, “Doll” (Elina Koptjajeva production)
2003 — Anna Karenina, “Seryozha”; Gala Concert — “Polonaise”
2009 — Spartak, “Slaves”
2009 — Sleeping Beauty, “Singing Canary” (and additional supporting performances)
2009 — The Nutcracker, Children, Soldiers, Mice, Arabian Dance, Flower Waltz
2006 — The Nutcracker, “Doll” (Elina Koptjajeva production)
2003 — Anna Karenina, “Seryozha”; Gala Concert — “Polonaise”
My Teachers
Maire Kamarik, Alla Lileorg, Tiit Lilleorg, Oleg Titov, Irina Seletskaja, Nadežda Zahharenkova, Ljujdmila Kirš, Tamara Kõrreveski, Kaie Kõrb, Marina Kesler, Katrin Kivimägi, Elita Erkina, Karl Saks, Irina Pähn, Nina Ivanovich, Tatjana Stanislavovna Duhovskaja
