Ella Wechsler-Matthaei

Ella Wechsler-Matthaei has trained under acclaimed dance educators such as Martha Gray, Mariana Harkless, Judy Dworin, Lesley Farlow, Marsha Parrilla, and Nailah Randall-Bellinger, to name a few.

In the spring of 2013, Wechsler-Matthaei studied in Trinidad and Tobago, where she trained with the Marcia Charles Dance Theatre Company. She continues to return to Trinidad for Carnival seasons and from 2015-2026, performed for a range of artists including Benjai, Voice, 5Star Akil, Olatunji, Lyrikal, Machel Montano, Patrice Roberts, and Kes.  Her work led to international touring with Patrice Roberts and performances with Voice at festivals and events across the Caribbean and beyond. 

Wechsler-Matthaei founded Soca Fusion, a company rooted in Soca dance and Caribbean cultural expression that expands access to culturally affirming dance through community classes, workshops, performances, and wellness-centered programming. Soca Fusion supports participants reconnecting with their bodies while celebrating the richness of Soca and Caribbean culture and traditions.

As an educator, Wechsler-Matthaei is deeply passionate about uplifting youth through the performing arts. She teaches Hip Hop, Soca, West African, Modern, and other Afro-diasporic dance forms, bringing joy, cultural connection, and confidence to students of all ages. She currently teaches at The Cambridge School of Weston and the Office for the Arts at Harvard (OFA) Dance Program, in addition to teaching within Cambridge and Boston schools and community programs. She strives to help young people develop confidence, discipline, and a strong sense of self through movement so they can continue to explore and nurture their passions throughout their lives.