“I can't say enough about my experience with Soca Fusion. Coming to Boston for graduate school was initially lonely and intimidating, but all of that changed the moment I stepped into Ella's Soca Fusion classes. Ella and her team have created an atmosphere of pure joy and energy, and it's simply the best dance class you can find anywhere. The energy in these classes is infectious, and it's impossible not to leave with a smile on your face. One of the most remarkable things about Soca Fusion is their commitment to accessibility. Many of their offerings are free or low-cost, making it inclusive for everyone, especially for those who may not have the funds for expensive gym memberships or dance classes at fancy studios. Ella's dedication to making fitness and dance accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or financial situation, is truly admirable. What sets Soca Fusion apart is the unique blend of dance styles. Ella seamlessly combines moves from Afro beats, West African movement, modern, jazz, and the traditional, high-energy Caribbean whining. The result is an exhilarating and dynamic experience that keeps you coming back for more. Ella herself is a phenomenal teacher. She pushes you beyond your perceived bodily boundaries, helping you discover new levels of strength and flexibility. What sets her apart is her genuine care for the well-being and enjoyment of her students. After each class, she's there, shouting, "Thank you for coming out, stay hydrated, stay safe." She's not just a teacher; she's a queen, an icon, a legend. She partners with dancing instructors from Trinidad and Tobago and performs with soca artists from the same region, both in Trinidad and in the United States. She even takes her dancers to experience the joy, liberation, and pure ecstasy of dancing in the twin isles during the Carnival season. But perhaps the most beautiful aspect of Soca Fusion is the community it fosters. I've made incredible friends within the Soca Fusion family who continuously inspire and motivate me to be my authentic, true, and happy self. The sense of belonging and support within this community is truly remarkable. In short, Soca Fusion, under Ella's guidance, is not just a dance class; it's a transformative experience. It's a place where you can shed your inhibitions, discover new dimensions of yourself, and be a part of a welcoming, diverse, and vibrant community. Ella and Soca Fusion have been a game-changer in my life, and I couldn't be more grateful for the joy and fulfillment they've brought into my grad school journey.”
Janelle Fouche
“I have been involved with Soca Fusion since it was created back in 2017. I’ve played various roles with the company since then, I started as an observer back when it was created and now I’m an instructor for Kiddies Create! I think that alone speaks volumes of how valuable a company Soca Fusion is: that it has people following it, since its creation, which is almost 7 years ago! My training in dance was ballet and it wasn’t until I took one of Soca Fusions classes that I realized dance can be so much more than the world I was exposed to. I had never seen a room full of professional dancers next to humans who have no training in dance all enjoy themselves and not be in their heads about what they look like or if they look as good as those around them. To see strangers cheering each other on and helping each other pick up the choreo during breaks was perplexing to me. After seeing the environment Soca Fusion creates I wanted to become more involved. That’s when I became the Executive Assistant. This role really opened my eyes to see how much the founder, Ella, cares about the community she has created. The amount of work she puts into getting grants in order to make programming free is remarkable. She has a goal of making classes accessible to everyone, because everyone deserves joy. I’ve seen over the years how her dedication and commitment have come to fruition with Soca Sundays. What started as a realization that a lot of people can’t attend her choreography class because they couldn’t find or afford childcare turned into a day of dance classes for all ages which would act as childcare so adults could take their class while the children were also taking a dance class and doing crafts. That's how I became an instructor. With Ella‘s help I was able to create a creative moving class that uses influences of Soca and elements of the Caribbean. I've taught at numerous dance studios/companies and Soca Fusion is by far my favorite company to work for. I’ve had mothers drop off their children and then go downstairs to take the choreography class. When they come up they look refreshed, have more energy and are extremely grateful for the fact that there was a free class, not only for them, but also for their children. Soca Fusion really vets their instructors to make sure they are trustworthy and will create a safe space for their students. Since they do this, they are able to give their instructors autonomy while also consistently checking in to make sure we are getting all the support that we need. This is also the first place that purchases the items I use for class instead of me having to use my own money to buy it. I know that may sound like a small gesture but it means the world and really does put me in a better place financially! Again, it shows the care the founder has not only for the students but its employees because we are also part of the community. Soca Fusion provides a nurturing environment whether it be an event, choreo class, master fete or fit fete. It’s a space that allows people to make the class whatever they want. Whether it be somewhere you go to vibe out, have fun, workout, improve their dancing, or build up confidence, anything you want to gain from it you can! It’s a safe space and with the energy of the instructor you can leave feeling uplifted!”
Ana Bueso
“I've had the opportunity to witness Soca Fusion's impact, not just within the dance community, but within the youth and entrepreneurial community as well. Soca Fusion has always been dedicated to serving the community by consistently teaching classes for different level and ages while spreading awareness to the masses of where there are disparities within the arts in BIPOC communities. As a collaborative entrepreneur, I've witnessed SF intentionally select their partners in order to create meaningful events with educational elements around culture and soca! SF works extremely hard in their funding in order to provide these environments of love, dance and culture!”
Anabel owner of Ines Organics:
“I love Soca Fusion because from the very first class I’ve taken it’s been a consistent theme of being bigger, freer and happier while moving & feeling your body. Ms. Ella keeps this same energy even when getting us ready to perform. The happiness and freeness of soca and carnival are constant inspirations that move waistlines in either direction, the left or the right but I’m still working on that left whine. This was my experience in just Boston, however this past February I was fortunate to experience the carnival of all carnivals in sweeetttttt Trinidad & Tobago under the leadership of Ms. Ella & socafusion and the NOTHING will ever be the same. Experiencing Trini carnival made everything in socafusion make sense so now I actually know what it means and feels like to be freer & happier with others moving & feeling your body. Now, when asked to sub for a socafusion class I run to opportunity to bring that carnival Essence to class- really so I can relive it again and again until we go back in 2024! Now, SF class is a true chance to be on the road no matter the season. All in all thanks to socafusion “once Lakeisha reach in yuh fete is nicenessssss!” Or whatever Kes& Voice said.”
Lakeisha St. Joy
“Soca Fusion is one of the best organizations in Cambridge. The way the company is able to touch and change so many peoples lives in the simplest, but most effective way, is beautiful. When I was first introduced to Soca Fusion I was brought with joy for a plethora of reasons. From being Caribbean myself and entering into the dance industry, I felt very little representation when it came to the dance scene. So to be able to see someone who looks like me, and is more than welcoming to me, made me feel nothing but happiness. I knew then that I wanted to be a part of this beautiful journey. In the classes not only does the instructor make sure everyone feels comfortable, they make sure they are having fun as well. They make sure that everyone is able to take away something from the class, whether it’s the same or different. To be able to have such a genuine and authentic atmosphere and experience is one of a kind. As I continued my journey with Soca Fusion, I transitioned into being an instructor and choreographer within the organization. Being in these positions enhanced my understanding of what Soca Fusion really does for people. We allow people the opportunity to be unapologetically themselves and to be great in our spaces. We create a judgment free zone where you feel seen and held no matter what. So even when you think you’re at your craziest, no one is better or less than you. Everyone is seen as one in the spaces. Soca Fusion caters to all ages and it’s beautiful to see all of the various smiles. Whether it be returning faces or new ones, the joy shines through all the same. I appreciate all the participants who come and express themselves, because in today's society individuality and freedom is rare. So to feel safe enough in the space to be yourself in front of others - strangers even- is amazing! Soca Fusion is just ever growing and I can’t wait to see how far it gets!”
Zanyah D.
I love Ella's Wednesday night online Soca Fusion class! The music is upbeat and fun, her choreography is interesting and varied and challenging, and it is really inspiring and enjoyable to watch the way she dances. I am in good shape, but I'm not a trained dancer, so the moves are hard for me, and it's difficult for me to learn and remember all of the steps. But Ella's positive, encouraging stance, and her insistence that in the end "it's all good," makes the class into a wonderful, engaging challenge, rather than an experience of feeling inadequate. She teaches us moves while also encouraging us to freely express ourselves through movement; for me, this is a great combination. I also love the way she encourages us to love and take care of our bodies
Julie Matthaei
Ella and the Soca Fusion class have become such an important part of my week! Ella always provides the space and atmosphere for us to feel free, safe, and expressive. I enter class knowing that no matter what’s been going on in my life, I will have the time and space to be me and to be seen. This positive dance culture is tangible, and everyone in class is so accepting and loving of one another. I leave class every week feeling more grounded, happy, and in my own body- more me! I'm so glad I’ve found this dance community! ♥️
Emily Gonzalez
Thank you for adding joy and some spice in my life on Wednesday's and Sunday's!!! The energy keeps me going FR FR!!! Keep up the all the great work you've being doing. I'm here for it!!!
Katrina Marsan
Ella's energy was always such a burst of fresh air when I attended SocaFusion! Her bubbly personality and quirky sense of humor made even the most rigorous parts of class (aka the plank) less painful. I'm glad I found her classes in 2018; trust that if I still lived in Cambridge, I would find a way to make it to her classes.
Sarah
I always look forward to Soca Fusion with Ella because she is literally the hypewoman that everyone needs. She not only screams at the top of her lungs for her students, but she also pushes us because she knows that we can get stronger every single time. Soca Fusion is a space where I feel uplifted as a woman who constantly struggles in her personal life. Once I enter the room, my problems don't even matter anymore because it really channels the energy of being present and sharing the love with other amazing human beings who just want to not only dance, but to live life happily. Every time I leave the class, it really reminds me to be more gentle on myself and love who I am.
Roxanna Higginson
I moved to Boston August 2019, and Soca Fusion was a grounding part of my adjustment process. From Green Street Studios to Harvard to Virtual Zoom classes I followed Soca Fusion, knowing that Ella would bring the light and the laughs and the love through dance! = ) As a dancer and teaching artist myself, I know the energy it takes to show up with the amount of intention and grace that Ella shows up with. I'm so grateful to take her class and to know her spirit!
Armoni Moody
Soca Fusion provides a nurturing environment that allows people to have the type of class they want to have. You can make the class whatever you want. Whether it be somewhere you go to vibe and have fun, workout, improve your dancing, build up confidence, anything you want to gain from it you can't. It’s a safe space and with the energy of the instructor you can leave feeling uplifted!
Ana Bueso
Soca Fusion is a place where you are able to be yourself. It is a safe group where I am able to express myself when it's needed. Even if we are strangers at the end of the day we will become more like family. It is a place where I can have fun and continue to learn different movements and vibe. It's a really amazing place and life changing as well.
Alesha Ramcharran
What I feel about soca fusion is it helps m e express myself through dance and show my creative side. The people I work with make it so much better and fun to be able to show each other our talents. While taking the classes I felt joy and I felt like I was in a safe space and everyone supported each other.
(Anonymous)