ABOUT IZZY
Izzy Nelson is a dancer, singer, and actor originally from Orange County, CA. She grew up dancing competitively and continued her pursuit of performance at Chapman University, where she earned her BFA in Dance Performance in 2024. Izzy has trained in a host of dance styles as well as musical theater, vocal performance, and acting, and she has relished the opportunity to perform works choreographed by Dwight Rhoden, Brian Nicholson, Wilson Mendieta, and Brandee Lara as well as setting works of her own on multiple venues in Orange County. Izzy made her regional debut as a swing in Moonlight Stage’s Escape to Margaritaville this summer, and she is excited to continue pursuing theatre and dance in her new home - New York City.
As a kid, Izzy fell in love with the beauty of storytelling through movement before she even began her training. She organized full productions at family gatherings and sang her heart away on the soccer field or down a ski slope. That passion continues to shine through her work as a performer and choreographer in musical theater and commercial work. Izzy believes in the power of art and performance to shine light and inspire audiences across the globe.
Izzy is currently seeking opportunities locally, nationally, and internationally.
To me, the most compelling moments in dance are the ones where the choreography becomes so entrapped in the dancer's bodies that they become humans telling a story, that movement is the natural response to whatever emotion or narrative is being portrayed. My art combines traditional jazz dance techniques with minimalistic moments and utilizes juxtaposing tempo and dynamics, creating a world where dance and human experiences become one.
teaching statement
My classes typically consists of an aerobic warmup, stretching, strengthening, across the floor, and center work(barre exercises also included for ballet classes). I take a holistic approach to dance, looking further than just the physical being and into the mental and emotional being. I tend to add layers like visual challenges and facing shifts to tie mental growth to physical growth, as well as promoting critical thinking by allowing students to articulate what they see and experience in class. Not only am I a teacher, but I am a mentor, a leader, a guide, a human, a work in progress, a light, an inspiration, a stronghold, a community-builder, and a friend.