Lia started dancing at the age of 6 yrs. and at the age of 9 yrs. she joined the Junior Associate classes at Great Britain’s “Royal Ballet”. At the age of 11 yrs. she was accepted to the Royal Ballet’s Boarding School where only 1 out of approximately 2,000 students that apply are successful.
The Royal Ballet is arguably the greatest Ballet Company in the world.
For the last 30 years Lia has worked alongside some of the biggest superstars and celebrities in showbiz. Her list of dance partners and choreographers are some of the most famous names in the dance world.
After a rewarding career of dancing the great Classical Ballets, she turned to the more commercial side of dance.
As a young dancer she was spotted by world renowned choreographer Dougie Squires O.B.E. and immediately became his Principal Dancer.
In her mid twenties she was given a guest spot starring in a weekly Primetime T.V. series for the B.B.C. Other television credits include “The Benny Hill Show”, solo guest appearances for German (RTL), Spanish, Swedish and Dutch TV as well as features and interviews for Lifetime Television for women and “E” Entertainment Television here in the U.S.A.
Her live production shows include Principal Dancer of;
- The World Famous Bluebell Girls, Paris, France
- Having her name in lights in London’s West End Theatre District Production of Aladdin at the Dominion Theatre
- Leading role in Cinderella, A Chorus Line, Sweet Charity, and Chicago.
- Principal Dancer at the lavish show at the Palm Beach Casino, Cannes France. Circus Freaks, Cirque du Soleil at The House of Blues
- Stork Club London as well as over 40 production revue shows all over the world and as far away as Japan’s Kurakuen Ice Palace
Her television commercials include “Ovaltine Light”, MGM Grand Casino Las Vegas, Peaugot, BMW Cars and many more.
Cruise line credits include; Carnival, Costa, and Royal Caribbean as Principal Dancer and Choreographer.
She was also a professional model/dancer for such names as; Louis Ferraud, Berketex, L’Oreal, Olympus Sports Wear, Vogue Swimwear and more.
Lia has also appeared in numerous MTV music videos.
After arriving in America she was offered the position of “Principal Dancer” at the world famous “Folies Bergere” at the Tropicana Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. She also joined the cast of “Spellbound”, Lake Tahoe, and “Midnight Fantasy”, Luxor Casino Las Vegas.
Lia has taught masterclasses and workshops all over the world and is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Dancing A.R.A.D. which is the largest examining and teacher education for classical Ballet in the world and an Associate of the Imperial Society of the Teachers of Dance, A.I.S.T.D.
Other teaching credits include;
- Guest teacher at the University of Akron Ohio (Classical Ballet),
- Advanced Ballet and Hip Hop courses for professionals and Backstage Studio’s - Las Vegas
- Guest Ballet Mistress for the dancers of Cirque du Soleil Company “Mystere”, - Las Vegas
- Dance Fusion School of Performing Arts-Las Vegas
- Broadway Bound Competition School-Ohio
- Morgenstern Dance Academy - Ohio
Lia is also a guest judge for national dance competitions and was very excited to be asked to judge the “Miss Rapid City” pageant last year.
Dance Partners included;
- Wayne Eagling, Danseur Noble with the Royal Ballet
- Jay Jolley, Principal Dancer with the Royal Winnepeg and the Royal Ballet
- Stephen Beagley, Soloist with the Royal Ballet
- Michael Corder, Soloist Royal Danish Ballet
- Matz Skoog with the English National Ballet
- Christopher Childers with Madonna’s Girlie Show & Principal Dancer for “Mystere” Cirque du Soleil, Las Vegas
- Thom Lake with the Joffrey Ballet Chicago
“I am very excited to be here in Rapid City so that I can pass on my vast dance experience to the young dancers of South Dakota, whether pursuing a professional career or dancing for fun.”
Lia
