Arica Ellis
Arica Ellis is an accomplished performer who hails from Indianapolis, IN. Arica exhibited a talent for performing at an early age. She earned the leading role in elementary school plays as well as played the flute. Her first solo in grade school was performing “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen” for Black History Month where she also joined the Drama Club. As a result she was accepted into the Performing Arts Magnet Program in the sixth grade at Shortridge Junior High School. After graduation, she was accepted into the Performing Arts Magnet Program at Broad Ripple High School. She auditioned and was accepted into the top vocal performing group, The Madrigals, in her freshman year and sang with them throughout her high school career. She performed in some of the top venues in the city of Indianapolis. In her senior year, she was invited to perform the national anthem with The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Arica was also the vocalist for the Broad Ripple High School Jazz Band. Arica was also the co-founder of her girl group “Spectrum” State vocal competitions found Arica regularly winning first place. Her talent also led to roles in “Pirates of Penzance”, “Cabaret”, and starring as Sarah in “Guys and Dolls”. Arica also was asked to perform The National Anthem at her high school graduation ceremony.
Arica moved on to Fisk University, Nashville, TN. During her freshman year, she auditioned for the Grammy Nominated World Renown Fisk University Jubilee Singers. Again, she was accepted during her freshman year into a prestigious group. This accomplishment led to singing background vocals with such stars as Take 6, Willie Nelson, Michael McDonald, and Trisha Yearwood. Arica appeared in a video with Shania Twain singing background on “God Bless the Child” and appeared on the Bobby Jones Gospel Show. Once again she was asked to perform our national anthem and this time it was for a celebrity basketball game for Keith Bullock of the Tennessee Titans. As a member of The Fisk University Jubilee Singers, Arica, performed all across the country in such venues as Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York, Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, and numerous others. She has also performed at the Umbria Jazz Festival in Umbria, Italy. While participating in a talent show in a local night club in Nashville, she was awarded second place. Most recently Arica and her band won first place in the United Way competition in Nashville, TN at mecca world famous Wildhorse Saloon. Arica has also performed at “Not Just Country” a local Nashville televison show.
Arica credits her love of performing to her mother (the first voice she heard singing), Anita Baker, Stephanie Mills, Angela Winbush, and Phyllis Hyman. These influences coupled with studying music, working with great talent, and her gift from God.
