Charmella Wilks

Charmella Wilks is passionate about sharing the gift of dance both on the stage and in the studio. Charmella completed 14 years of formal training at BalletMet, graduating from the professional training program in 1997, under the tutelage of Yoko Ichino. During this time, she performed Snow and Flower in the Nutcracker as well as many annual recitals and lecture demonstrations in various schools throughout Columbus.

As a young dancer, her most memorable performance as a youth was Alvin Ailey's "Fix Me" from Revelations and "Satisfaction" from Suite Otis during a 1996 presentation at Denison University, under the direction of former Ailey company member, April Berry. This same year she received the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Award acknowledging rising African American artists. Another highlight of her youth was being selected to learn and perform ‘works in progress’ under the late, famed jazz teacher, Fred Benjamin at the conclusion of the 1995 summer intensive at the Alvin Ailey School in New York.

Charmella has been teaching and performing in the Columbus area for over 20 years. Her prime desire in teaching ballet is to inspire appreciation for proper technique, the joy of getting results from putting in the hard work necessary to acheive success in this challenging art form. This is her first season with the Dance Elite family and she's looking forward to bringing out the best in her students.