Born and Raised in Lowell MA, Elmer Martinez (ElmStreet) has been getting funky since 1996- Growing up a choir singer/ percussionist, music was always around. Commencing his official dance training in 2011 at age 14, he has gone on to gain experience in a multitude of afrocentric movement forms as well as musical theater.His Focus landed within the universe of Funk,House, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Street and Club/Social dances. While studying for his BFA in Theater Design/Studies with a minor in Dance at Emerson College (19″) Elmer continued to develop his background in Ballet, Modern, Improv, House, Breakin, Hip-Hop, Locking, Popping and improvisational Latin Ballroom in class and the underground club parties of Boston and New York. Around this time he started DJing and diving deeper into music history. Elmer became the Production Manager at Green Street Studios during his senior year of undergrad where he designed, danced and produced work in Cambridge, MA. This, as well as producing Community events rooted in Hip-Hop culture from Open Mics- to Cyphers- to Battles, Large scale conventions and workshops.

Post Grad Elmer moved to New York City as a Professional Production Apprentice for Bill T. Jones’ “New York Live Arts” dance Theater. After his departure he continued to freelance as a Lighting Designer/Technician for dance Companies and festivals including ‘ ‘The Yard ”, “New York Theater Workshop” off-Broadway as well as theaters and special events between New York and Massachusetts. This while dancing, producing, judging and teaching for the underground Hip-Hop and House Dance community locally and internationally. He has had the opportunity to teach lighting and dance workshops and programs through Brighter Boston, Harvard University and Bates College. Elmer serves as the Collaborative arts Coordinator for Moonbox Productions and currently is in collaboration with The Dance Complex Boston as a Hip-Hop consultant, The Hip-Hop Exchange festival Vol.4 and Urbanity Dance as faculty among others.

As a facilitator, Elmer focuses on incorporating mindfulness, meditation and self empowerment in his sessions. Always in the pursuit of releasing the inner funk- and finding the permission within ourselves to get free while building an informed community.