t h e
studio
w h e r e
story
l i v e s
turning
pain
into fine
art
life as art.
art as story.
story as redemption.
life as art. art as story. story as redemption.
The Upper Valley’s Premier Redemptive Arts Studio, eleVe is a creative cohort & curated space that aims to inspire beauty, heal our community, & foster strength. As we face what’s hard together, we learn how to elevate our lives, learning, & legacy through the transformative power of Story. As “the studio where story lives,” we offer master-level, narrative-driven instruction & opportunities in the creative fields of ballet, somatic dance, literary writing, & visual arts. Whether you’re a dancer, survivor, host, or local business, eleVe exists to bridge the gap between excellence and accessibility, providing expert support & services that are both authentic and elite.
Founded by Victoria Sottosanti—ballet instructor, trauma & cancer survivor, and award-winning writer—eleVe was born out of the intersection of great passion and pain. In our studio, no suffering or weakness goes to waste. In fact, we believe it’s life’s darkest parts that serve as the best material for making lasting art.
We all have a story to tell. We hope to hear yours soon. Together, let’s write something new.
attention adult ballet dancers!
If you’re interested in dancing with us, we can’t wait! Due to technical onboarding, our Adult Ballet page is currently offline. Please check back tomorrow 7/6 for full access to our updated schedule & sign-up links!
For your plans, our summer session starts next Tuesday, July 14.
Weekly classes are Tues & Thurs evenings | Monthly on Saturday afternoons
Thanks for your patience & your love for pirouettes!
#newplatformprobz
— Love, V
e l e V e
Our Studio Where Story Lives is so much more than “one thing.” To try and define us is complicated. It still is (and will always be) an adaptive process of revision. We’re a dance studio, but we’re not just a studio where people dance. We teach primarily adults, but also kids. We offer fine-arts education, but you don’t need any qualifications or advantages to engage. We are a premium creative arts studio with premium pricing, but we also fund scholarships to those who lack stability due to a lifetime of surviving. We are a studio where advanced artists who can be inspired and challenged, and we’re a welcoming space for beginners who have little to no knowledge. We take our art with the utmost seriousness, and we laugh—quite often—in every gathering. We are a physical home studio in WRJ, and we are the many satellite spaces we rent from local partners with similar aims. We are an official independent arts business—an LLC, and we carry profound philanthropic dreams.
But, if you’re more of a bullet-point-person, here’s a multifaceted definition via list:
a step in ballet when a dancer’s heels lift from flat off the ground
an essence of lifting (or being lifted) up
a safe space to to land, learn, & make
an atmosphere curated to commune & create
a sanctuary of healing & change
that fine arts place who knows you by name
the studio where story lives
Praise for e l e V e
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A Safe Space
“I’d have a much harder time staying sober without this place.”
— anonymous artist -
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Never Too Late
I always wanted to do ballet as a kid and teen, but I was told I “wasn’t a dancer.” I wasted many years chasing the wrong things. Then Victoria came along in my thirties and told me it’s never too late. I’m so glad I listened. ” — eleVe ballet co dancer
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Awesome Atmosphere
“eleVe is so different than your typical dance studio. It’s nice to have a group of adults to dance with who aren’t afraid to laugh at themselves. Victoria’s authenticity sets the tone. The stories she shares in class are rich with specifics, from the heart, and often….hilarious.”
— Adult Dancer -
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Poetry in Motion
"Victoria helps you experience the beauty of how ballet is often described as 'poetry in motion' in a way that feels accessible and deeply personal. Her classes are the highlight of my week!"
— Jessica, Adult Dancer -
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Exceptional Instruction
“After training in major hubs like New York, Montreal, and Nashville, I can confidently say that Victoria’s instruction is uniquely tailored to the needs of her individual students. My growth is a direct result of her exceptional guidance.”
— Adams, Intermediate Adult -
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The Newcomer's Sanctuary
"As a complete beginner at 27, I found a sanctuary at eleVe. Victoria is friendly & fun, her energy—uplifting and safe—making an intimidating art form feel like home."
— J.C. Beginner Adult -
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Confidence & Poise
"At eleVe, Victoria has created something truly special. I’m not only learning ballet—I’m becoming more confident and poised in my life as a woman, mom, and wife."
— eleVe Ballet Co Dancer -
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Feels Like Family
"Unlike larger studios where you feel like just another face in the crowd, Victoria fosters a 'family' atmosphere. Her classes are rigorously challenging, yet infectious with lighthearted energy."
— Founding Dancer -
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Tailored Progress
"Through semi-privates and open classes, I’ve seen a massive improvement in what my forty-something-year-old body can do. Victoria pushes me while respecting my agency and my awareness of what I’m capable of each day."
— Alison, Adult Student
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A Shame-Free Space
"I have never seen Victoria suggest that any body shape or size does not belong in a studio. She meets my body where it is with humor and support, fostering an environment where correct technique always comes first."
— Adult Student -
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Learning Together
"As an adult beginner, I am so thankful for this supportive environment. In Victoria's classes, I’ve had the unique opportunity to observe and learn alongside dancers of all ages, levels, and backgrounds."
— Founding Student -
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Classical Repertoire, a Joy
"Ballet integrates music and structured movement to produce beauty. Victoria communicates her love of the art through careful instruction and a warm, accepting atmosphere, striving to make the classical repertoire a joy."
— Ellen, Private Pointe Student
