Rising Stars: Meet Ruby-Lynn Ellis of Scottsdale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruby-Lynn Ellis.

Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
Picture this, an 18-year-old girl who had just graduated from a small-town high school. She had big hopes and dreams and no plan to make them happen other than moving 10 hours away to live in Phoenix, Arizona, with her pie. My name Ruby-Lynn Faith Ellis and Tippi Toes made my big hopes and dreams come true. When I first saw the ad, I thought this was real. It sounds too good to be true. I have always loved kids. Growing up, I was always the designated family/family friend babysitter. Whether it was a paid gig or not, I couldn’t get enough. I took dance when I was younger and loved my dance teacher Mrs. Aerilynn. She made me love ballet, tap, and jazz acro. I even did a little Irish dance for a year, but it was about something other than our dancing type. It was how she made me feel and how I still think about her 10 years later. If I could have that same impact on the kids I teach now, I would know I’ve done something right. 8 months into teaching with Tippi Toes, I’ve already seen that impact grow from kids running up to me and hugging me at the door and barely making it into class to set my stuff down and them saying Ms. Ruby look at the first position and my barre turn and starting with a shy little girl who wouldn’t want to talk in circle time on her first day to having her attached to my hip by the second class and hearing from teachers and parents telling me how their kids go home or get into class and say It’s Tippi Toes day! Mom, I need my ballet shoes for Tippi Toes’ class! Working with Tippi Toes has been one of my biggest blessings, and I couldn’t be more grateful for everything they have done for me. We have an incredible team powered by the same love and passion we share in teaching dance to these wonderful kids. I can’t wait to keep growing with this fantastic company. My heart is so whole and happy!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Walking in to teach my first demo, I had no idea how it would go. I knew the dances and lesson plan, but I had never seen it done before, and Mariah and Elizabeth were just like you got it! Then as soon as the music turned on and we started dancing, all the anxiousness went away, and after we were done, I sat next to Mariah and said, “This is the best job ever!” Occasionally with all the fun and excitement that goes on in the call, students do lose focus and have to reengage them with “Okay, can we hop like a bunny back to our spots,” or my personal favorite, “Popsicle sticks! Big star” and that usually pulls them in and we get back on track.

Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a mobile dance teacher with Tippi Toes. We teach dance classes in preschools ultimately for the convenience of parents. I am hands-on, working with the kids, teaching dances, and building connections with directors and parents. I am most proud of how far we’ve come in these past 8 months we’ve been in Arizona. I am proud to be a part of such a fantastic company filled with so much love from the inside out.

Any big plans?
I love working with the kids and teaching classes. My schedule has filled up so fast with new schools and many sign-ups that we must split into two classes! I would love to stay teaching and going deeper in my schools by making connections and sharing my love for Tippi Toes with others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tippitoesdance.com/scottsdale/
• Instagram: tippitoesscottsdale