Jillana

Jillana (born 1934) is an American ballet dancer and instructor, and a former principal dancer with New York City Ballet.

Early life and education

Jillana was born Jill Zimmerman[1] in Hackensack, New Jersey. She took lessons in tap and ballet dancing as a small child.[2] Jillana attended the School of American Ballet, beginning at age 11, after earning a scholarship.[3] She trained there under George Balanchine.[4] She was recruited by the New York City Ballet (then known as Ballet Society) one year later; when she was thirteen she made her first appearance with the company.[5] At age 17, she was featured in Seventeen magazine, in the January 1952[6] issue.[7]

Career

After six years of experience with the New York City Ballet company, she was promoted to principal dancer; she continued in this capacity for twenty years.[8] Balanchine created roles for her in many ballets, including Liebeslieder Walzer.[9][10][11][12]

Jillana has danced with a number of partners, including Jacques d'Amboise,[13] Arthur Mitchell, and Edward Villella. Jillana has also performed with other ballet companies including American Ballet Theatre and National Ballet of Washington, D.C. She has appeared on Broadway, in the musical Destry Rides Again,[14][15] and in a number of television shows, including Noah and the Flood (with choreography by George Balanchine).

Jillana has worked as an instructor at The New York City Ballet, the School of American Ballet and Joffrey School, Paris Opera Ballet and Ballet West.[16] She also taught at the University of California at Irvine and was the director of DanceAspen.

Jillana now runs her own summer dance program, The Jillana School.[17] She sets ballets on companies worldwide for the George Balanchine Trust.

References

[18]

  1. ^ Directory of Women Worldwide: 20,000 Women Through the Ages, January 1, 2007
  2. ^ criticaldance.com: interview with Jillana
  3. ^ The Deseret News – Google News Archive Search
  4. ^ Ballet Idaho's Dancers Learn From A Balanchine Disciple | Boise State Public Radio
  5. ^ The George Balanchine Foundation | Ballet News | Straight from the stage - bringing you ballet insights
  6. ^ Seventeen Magazine, January 1952 at Peruse Vintage
  7. ^ Seventeen Magazine, January 1952 - Full Vintage Flip Through
  8. ^ "New York City Ballet Spring Gala: Fanfare for a New Theater, If I Loved You, Allegro Brillante and Everywhere We Go". DancdTabs, 8 May 2014
  9. ^ Jillana: Memories Of Her Balanchine Days - Los Angeles Times
  10. ^ "THIS WEEK; City Ballet Holds an Alumni Weekend". By GIA KOURLAS. The New York Times. April 25, 2004
  11. ^ Barbara B. Heyman (1992). Samuel Barber. Oxford University Press. pp. 334–. ISBN 978-0-19-535810-0.
  12. ^ BWW Reviews: Ballet in Cinema from Emerging Pictures Presents 'La fille mal gardee' - BWWDanceWorld
  13. ^ Ballet-Dance Magazine - DVD Review - Jacques D'Amboie: Portrait of a Great American Dancer
  14. ^ Who's who of American women. Marquis Who's Who. 1973. ISBN 978-0-8379-0408-5.
  15. ^ San Diego Magazine. San Diego Magazine Publishing Company. May 1976.
  16. ^ Martin leads 16 Ballet Lubbock dancers into prestigious summer workshops | Lubbock Online | Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
  17. ^ The Ballet Companion: A Dancer's Guide to the Technique, Traditions, and ... - Eliza Gaynor Minden - Google Books
  18. ^ DANCE REVIEW; Present Congratulates Past, Bowing to City Ballet Alumni - New York Times