Kiara ' Kiki ' Ely

Kiara Ely who has made a name for herself in the Entertainment & commercial dance world, working with the top artists in the industry, film & television, & toured all over the world over the past 2 decades. 

Kiara Ely, better known as “Kiki” is originally from Atlanta, Georgia where she began studying dance at the age of 6. She studied all styles of dance from Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Pointe, and African at Spelman College. She later began more extensive training at Ballethnic Dance Academy in East Point, Georgia under the direction of Waverly Lucas & Nena Gilreath. It was there she received her formal training in Ballet & Pointe. She performed in the Urban Nutcracker and Leopard’s Tale. Kiki then continued her dancing at Southern University A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she was a member of the SU Dancing Dolls for 4 years and Captain her last year. After graduating cum laude from Southern University (2000), with a B.S. Degree in Chemistry, her heart led her to a career as a professional dancer/ Choreographer. She auditioned and made the 2000 Atlanta Hawks Dance Team and it was then she was introduced to Hip-Hop. The following year (2001) she became one of the Atlanta Hawks Dance Team Choreographers. Kiki was then offered an opportunity of a lifetime. To be one of the principal dancers and Assistant Choreographers in the 20th Century FOX Film DRUMLINE, starring Nick Cannon, Zoe Saldana, and Orlando Jones. Music Producer Dallas Austin served as the Executive Producer to the movie. After that life changing experience, her love for dance, drive and determination led her to Los Angeles, so she packed her bags and moved to California in Spring 2002, where she was signed immediately to BLOC Dance Agency.  

Since moving to Los Angeles, Kiki has been non-stop. She completed the 2006-2007 BACK TO BASICS WORLD TOUR with the talented CHRISTINA AGUILERA. She has toured with Christina Aguilera, Ciara, Christina Milian, & Brooke Valentine just to name a few all over Europe, Asia, & Australia, even visiting the countries of South Africa, Nigeria, Mozambique in Africa. She has performed on just about 1 

every television show including THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW, America’s Got Talent, Nickelodeon’s THE FRESH BEAT BAND, Lopez Tonight, Dancing With the Stars, Greek, So You Think You Can Dance, Grammy’s, MTV VMA’s, MTV Movie Awards, Regis & Kelly, 106th & Park, Good Morning America, Mad TV, MTV TRL, Jay Leno, Dick Clark’s Rockin New Years Eve, Soul Train, Vibe Awards, American Music Awards, The Today Show, BET Awards, NRJ Awards, with artists ranging from Nicki Minaj, Diddy Dirty Money, Ester Dean, Ludacris, Mariah Carey, Keri Hilson, John Legend, Fergie, Usher, Gnarls Barkley, Melanie Fiona, Snoop Dogg, Ashanti, Ricky Martin, Lil Kim, Missy Elliott, Blaque, Joe,  Ne-Yo, Nelly, Lloyd, Tami Chynn, Craig David, & Queen Latifah. Other films include Dance Flick, 17 Again, Christina Aguilera Back to Basics Tour Live & Down Under, Stomp The Yard 1 & 2, & Drumline. She filmed the movies “FOOTLOOSE” & “A CINDERELLA STORY” released in 2012 and just wrapped Bolden filmed in Atlanta in 2014. She also toured AUSTRALIA & SOUTH AFRICA with superstar CIARA as Asst. Choreographer & Lead Dancer and toured with Christina Aguilera in Spain & Hong Kong. Aside from Videos, television, commercials, and movies, her other dance credits include choreographing for 20th Century Fox Film “Drumline”, Co- Choreographer for the TV movie on vH1 Drumline: A New Beat! She was Assistant Choreographer film The Boss starring Oscar Nominated Actress Melissa McCarthy. She also was the choreographer for the film “The Founder” starring Michael Keaton in August 2016. Kiki choreographed Nickelodeon commercial featuring recording artist and kid sensation Silento. She has also choreographed for Tamar Braxton on WeTV Braxton Family Values & Tamar & Vince show, and her LOVE & WAR TOUR. Choreographer for August Alsina recent tour opening for Usher URX Tour. She has also choreographed for recording artists Ciara, Janelle Monae, Ludacris, TLC, BLACK- STREET BS2, Jermaine Dupri, B.O.B. Khalil, Fantasia, Nelly, Omg Girlz, T’Melle, & Mike Epps as well as the Atlanta Hawks Dance Team, the Southern University Dancing Dolls, dance studios across the country and overseas in Australia & Japan. She choreographed 8 Jack’s Hamburger commercials, Lifetime Network commercial for Devious Maids & Bring It, GA LOTTERY halftime performance for Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Falcon, 3 Promo Commercials for Madagascar 3, and World of COCA-COLA 125th Anniversary Dance Mob. 

AND NOW she’s been back in Atlanta for the past decade as one of the most sought after choreographers on the scene. She is MAKING A NEW NAME FOR HERSELF. Her vision of Taking Over Your Dreams through the art of dance has flourished throughout the dance community of Atlanta. With her company AtLA TAKEOVA as Co-owner founded in 2011. AtLA Takeova is an Industry Driven Dance Convention that brings in the top A-List Celebrity Choreographers and Industry Professionals giving dancers the tools and training to take  their Dance Career to the next level. 

Her credits for choreography extend to movies, commercials, television shows, and tours. Kiki Ely has worked on major industry films including “The Founder”, “The Boss”, “Step Sisters”, “Almost Christmas”, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul.”, “Honey 4” & “Blockers” & “What Men Want” starring Taraji P. Henson. Her work can be seen on Season 2 & 3 of Greenleaf, Star, Misfits & Monsters, & The Quad. She also worked with Nick Jr. on numerous commercials for their popular kids’ shows. Her resume also notates her previous work with Jacks Hamburgers, Nickelodeon, and UP tv’s “Dancin the Dream” TV show & Reebok. 

Kiki is the Associate Choreographer for Tv Series StepUp HighWater, season 1 & 2. She completed season 1 in 2017 working with legendary director Adam Shankman, Debbie Allen, & Rob Hardy to name a few. She choreographed season 2 of Boomerang on BET,                                  season 1 of CW’s Stargirl,  & FOX’s The Resident.

She just completed Season 3 of Step Up on Starz, Doom Patrol Season 3 on HBOmax . Having Worked with the incomparable Tyler Perry for his upcoming film A Madea Homecoming and the Brilliant Donald Glover on FX Atlanta Season 4, Samuel Jackson’s Memories on AppleTV, Sweet Magnolias Season 2, Associate Choreographer for Pit Bull “I Feel Good Tour” 2021 and historical upcoming film “Till” about the life of Mamie Till Mobley and her son Emmitt Till. She is definitely Living the DREAM.. one DANCE at a Time.

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