Elisa Toro Franky

Elisa Toro Franky is a professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer based in New York City. She is featured in works that integrate ballet, tango, ballroom, and Middle Eastern styles. Elisa currently performs with FJK Dance, with whom she toured to China in 2017. She also worked as Program Director of Accent Dance NYC, an education and performance organization that provides access to dance in underserved communities. Elisa has performed with Dardo Galletto Dance at the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, and with Christopher Caines Dance. In May of 2021, Elisa was invited to collaborate with El Puente Presente and a New York Philharmonic string quartet as part of the Bandwagon series. In June of 2021, Elisa performed at I Heart Dance NYC, where dancers from top NYC companies are invited. In September of 2021, she was a featured ballerina in Rhina Valentin's 'Sancocho' production, in celebration of the Hispanic Heritage Month at Lincoln Center Restart Stages. Most recently in December of 2021, Elisa was a featured guest artist in the roles of Snow Queen and Arabian in the Westchester Ballet Company's Nutcracker season.

Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Elisa trained with Cuban mentors and traveled twice to Cuba for international ballet intensives and competitions. She came to the United States in 2004 to train at the Miami City Ballet School, to later dance with the Washington Ballet Studio Company, the Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble, and the New Jersey Ballet.