Hoop Rebel
Ellen Phillips - Memphis, TN
Ellen started her hoop journey in 2010 and quickly became captivated by the movement of the hoop and the challenges that come with learning a new hobby. After graduating from film school in Chicago, she moved to Los Angeles and worked as the Video Content Manager at Hoopnotica, where she produced instructional and lifestyle videos centered around hooping. During her time in LA, she performed regularly, was briefly a member of the Hooptown Hotties with Morgan and Rebecca, and busked on the iconic Venice Beach boardwalk.
Upon returning to her hometown of Memphis, Ellen began teaching intermediate hoop dance at a local studio and played a key role in developing a thriving hoop community that still exists today. She currently manages Grind City Flow Arts, an organization that hosts events such as, 901 World Hoop Day and monthly full moon jams. In 2019, she co-founded Grind City Flow Festival, a one-day flow arts festival in Memphis.
Ellen’s passion for teaching has taken her to many incredible retreats. She was an instructor at Spinsanity in 2022, High Altitude Hoop Retreat in 2024 (and is returning in 2025 to teach three workshops), and most recently, Oasis Hoop Retreat in May 2025.
She teaches weekly hoop classes at Bendy Beast Pole Studio in Memphis and performs monthly with QCG Productions and other local circus, burlesque, and drag troupes.
⭐Performance videos:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DE5KP2kPodt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CgHm4aUADCo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
✨Flow Videos:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_uDryrta2_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9QnM_gPPFB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
💫Tutorial:
https://www.instagram.com/tv/B_U93gbH1Bw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Instagram: @hoop_rebel
TikTok: @hoop_rebel
q & a
I pretty much only hula hoop. I dabble in fire and LED fans, but my main passion is hooping. In 2018, I started incorporating circus hoops into my acts and that has brought me so much joy! I love quad hooping and hoop splitting.
I definitely take inspiration from the burlesque, circus and drag communities. I try to add a little bit from each artform in all of my routines. My circus inspirations are Lisa Lottie, Lila Chupah-Hoops and Grace Good. Other Hoopers who continually inspire me are Morgan (Missmojangles), Anna (Hoop_Therapist), Kylee (CometDancerr), Brandin (Guapoh13) and Anna Fisher (Annafisher_).
I was first introduced to hooping by a friend in Memphis in 2010. These were the days before Instagram and polypro hoops, where we made hoops out of tubing from Lowe's and studied Youtube hoopers like Hoopalicious, Catalina Sutton, Brecken Rivara, and Lisa Lottie. I only knew a handful of "tricks", but somehow was able to hoop for hours upon hours. It wasn't until I moved to LA in 2012 and met other Hoopers that my knowledge of hoop dance expanded and my obsession grew even bigger.
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What do you love about the experience of performing?
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I was a big theater kid in high school, so I think I naturally loved performing and being in the spotlight. My favorite thing about performing is connecting to the audience and telling a story with my acts. For me, performance isn’t just about entertainment; it’s a powerful tool for emotional and political expression. Many of my acts are inspired by my reflections on the state of the country and the current social and political climate. As an Aquarius, I’ve always felt a strong urge to speak out against injustice. While I may not work in politics or advocacy, I’m a strong believer in using your platform to speak out for what you believe in.
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What advice would you give to someone just starting their flow journey? Which tutorials or guiding principles helped you along the way?
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1) Be gentle and kind to yourself! It takes time to find your personal flow and style, but dedicate that time to your practice and it will take you where you want to go.
2) Don't give up on a trick. It took me almost 3 years to get my four hoop split and I am so happy I didn't give up!
3) And don't be afraid to push yourself and ruffle some feathers! If you play it safe all the time, you never allow yourself to experiment and grow. Try incorporating a little burlesque in your act. You may love it!!
Being a member of the hoop community is such an honor. I really do believe we are the kindest, most supportive community in the world. We lift each other and take pride in introducing someone to hooping.
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Are you a part of a troupe or performance group?
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Yes! I'm part of QCG Productions, a circus, fire and entertainment troupe in town.
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Do you teach, mentor or create tutorials?
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Yes! I teach hoop tricks at Bendy Beast Studio on Thursday nights at 6:45pm.
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Are you a part of a flow community or flow meet-up?
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Yes! I help facilitate flow events in Memphis under the name Grind City Flow Arts on Instagram and Facebook. We host instructors from out of state to teach our community, produce an annual World Hoop Day event in October and organize full moon burns every month.
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What does 2025/26 have in store for you? At which festivals/events/retreats can you be found over the summer and through the rest of the year?
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Yes! I am so excited to be returning to High Altitude Hoop Retreat in September 2025, where I'll be teaching three workshops: 1) Art of Burlesque, Circus and Drag, 2) Fancy Footwerk and 3) Quad Hoop Transitions