Elisa Besteman is a multidisciplinary movement artist, performance technician, and environmental steward based in West Michigan. With over a decade of dedicated exploration into the physics and artistry of hoop dance, Elisa has transcended the boundaries of contemporary flow arts, developing a signature style defined by spatial precision, athletic grace, and profound creative intent.

Elisa’s foundational background uniquely intersects science and somatic expression. While pursuing her degree in Social Work at Northwestern Michigan University, she deeply investigated the relationship between bodies in motion, expanding her vocabulary through classical modern dance training under Dorothy Eisenstein. Blending this academic rigor with a relentless tenacity, Elisa spent years masterfully decoding the mechanics of hoop manipulation. Her commitment to the craft led her to train under internationally renowned flow pioneers—including the celebrated DaHoop Guy—and earned her a coveted position performing with the acclaimed Dunesville Hoop Troupe.

On stage, Elisa is recognized for her seamless execution of high-level illusion work and complex kinetic transitions, including her celebrated Foot Pass Hand-offs and dynamic Knee Kick Reversals. Her performances skillfully balance technical virtuosity with a magnetic, vibrant theatrical presence.

Expanding her creative lineage, Elisa is proud to be a Company Dancer with the Laura Armenta Dance Company and a Resident Teaching Artist at Armentality.

As an educator, Elisa champions movement as a high-level somatic intervention for mental clarity, neural equilibrium, and profound stress reduction. Her pedagogy mirrors her philosophy as the founder of Sundrop Gardens—an eco-conscious horticultural consulting and bespoke botanical design firm. Whether cultivating the earth or commanding the geometry of the hoop, Elisa’s work is deeply rooted in mindfulness, environmental stewardship, and the cultivation of sacred space.

In the studio, Elisa’s workshops are a sophisticated sanctuary for somatic discovery. She elegantly guides students past the initial friction of learning, inviting them into an active, total-presence meditation that sharpens focus, builds community, and leaves every mover profoundly lighter on their feet.