Lillian Hill

Lillian began dancing at the age of six at Pro-Am Dance Studio in South Florida, studying ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, and hip-hop. She had a passion for ballet and furthered her classical training with the renowned Magda Aunon. During her time there she performed excerts from ballets such as "La Bayadere", "Paquita" and "Tarentella" and furthermore, was asked to perform in several galas at the South-Eastern Regional Ballet Association Convention. In addition to training in the evenings, she worked as an apprentice with Jubilee Dance Theater and a full-time dance major at Dillard Canter for the Performing Arts. She performed in many venues and festivals, including the National High School Dance Festivals, where she was awarded a full scholarship to the Richmond Ballet. Upon graduating high school, she joined the Richmond Ballet and began working towards a BFA in dance at Virginia Commonwealth University. While in Virginia she had the opportunity to perform in full length ballets, such as "Giselle" and "Romeo and Juliet", as well as notorious Balenchine works, including” Who Cares.” In 2011 she accepted a company position with Arts Ballet Theater of Florida. Under the direction of Vladimir Issaev, she performed the lead role in Coppelia, Fairy Doll, The Nutcracker, and The Rite of Spring, to name a few. Additionally, she toured with the company: twice to German and Peru, and to once Indonesia. On top of her performance career, she has also taught at various dance schools throughout South Florida and furthers her education every summer by partaking in teacher seminars such as Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet Society’s Vaganova Seminar, Finis Jhung Teacher Workshop and Progressing Ballet Technique Workshop. She is thrilled to be entering her third season with Northwest Arkansas Ballet Theatre. Over the past two years she has performed lead roles, such as the Sugar Plum Fairy, in the company's main stage productions, and gotten to work with choreographered including Stephanie Martinez, Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye and Karen Castlemen. One of her favorite things about working with this company is the outreach programs: the "Dance Anywhere and Everywhere" initiative and the "Once Upon a Ballet" library program for young audiences, which she actually helped design. Through these programs she has had the chance to perform from the Bentonville Amazium to the Springdale Street Dinner and the Arvest Ballpark to the Fayetteville Botanical Gardens. Furthermore, she participated in NWABT's first J St. Creations, in which she presented her piece "Center Park." Although this year presents unique challenge, she is enthusiastic about spreding dance in this region and a very productive 20-21 season.

get to know the dancer

Where are you from?

Florida 

In one sentence, describe your "discovery" of ballet. Or, what was your pathway to ballet?

I was a mover from the time I was born. My parents first put me in gymnastics and then I tried dance and I’ve loved it ever since.

Do you remember the first ballet you ever saw? What was it and how did it affect you?

The first ballet I watched was actually not The Nutcracker, it was Coppelia. Since then I have been part of 5 separate productions of Coppelia, which far outweighs any other classical ballet I’ve performed. Hence I have grown a special connection to this ballet.

What do you like to do outside of dance (hobbies, interests, etc.)

I am a huge exercise junkie. So pretty much anything active: swimming, biking, walking, kayaking, going to the gym, doing Pilates or Yoga.

What are some of your other talents?

I don’t know if it’s a talent but I do love to bake. and I always bake for my fellow company members birthdays. My roommate and I did a baking show at the end of last season. And we managed to make things as hard as soufflés and macaroons without burning down the house, so I count that as a win.

What are some of your indulgences?

Ice Cream!! Also watching TV and listening to music on long walks 

What is your favorite role that you have performed? Have not performed?

My favorite role of my entire career is Swanhilda in Coppelia because of the character development. My dream role is Juliet in “Romeo and Juliet”, because of the same complex character building. My favorite performance with NWA Ballet Theatre was Otra Vez by Stephanie Martinez in the brand new Theatre Squared space in Fayetteville. It was a sensual piece with a lot of emotion and the first part of our program last year.

Do you have any pre-performance rituals?

Just finding a nice quiet corner to warm up. I am usually pretty solitary and focused before performance.

If you weren’t a dancer, what would you be?

I would love to be a choreographer, but completely non-dance related, I like to bake and sew. Therefore, I might go into some thing in those fields.

How do you spend your summer breaks?

Traveling and dancing of course

If I could visit any country in the world it would be….

New Zealand

What does Northwest Arkansas mean to you? Why is it special or different from other places you've danced/trained?

This is my third year living in Arkansas and I feel I haven’t even touch the surface of all the natural beauty this state has to offer. During quarantine I went on walks almost everyday and got to explore more of the trails this area has to offer, but I recently got a book about all the great natural spots to see in Arkansas and I am so eager to explore more. Furthermore I love all the outdoor sports in this state. I was fortunate enough to do some zip lining, kayaking and floating this summer Something that I wasn’t able to experience in Florida that I relish in Arkansas is, the change of colors in Fall. The Ozarks become breathtaking during this time of year. 

What are three things people might not know about you?

1) I have a secret desire to be a mechanic

2) I have a massive Sailor Moon collection

3) My favorite animal is a rabbit