Jillian Van Cura was born and raised in upstate New York and started her ballet training at age two. Jillian has also competed in Youth America Grand Prix and Connecticut Classic, winning awards and scholarships to summer intensives. Most notably, Jillian attended New York State Summer School of the Arts, where she was rewarded with a full scholarship to attend Manhattan Youth Ballet year-round at age fifteen. She spent two years with Manhattan Youth Ballet performing roles such as Sugar Plum Fairy, Gamzatti, and The Sylph in La Sylphide. She also studied and performed Horton technique with Earl Moseley and Clifton Brown during her time there. In 2017, Jillian was a trainee with Carolina Ballet and began college. She graduated from Butler University in 2021 with High Distinction and a BFA in Dance Performance. There she performed roles such as Mouse Queen in The Nutcracker, a Fresco in The Little Humpbacked Horse, and an Odalisque in Le Corsaire. In 2021, Jillian began her professional dance career with Ballet Quad Cities. Some of her most notable repertoire include Bolero and the Magic Fairy in Snow White; both choreographed by Courtney Lyon, and Concerto for Two Couples choreographed by Domingo Rubio. Her more featured roles include the Arabian Dancer in The Nutcracker, Katrina Van Tassel in The Headless Horseman, and Rite of Spring. As Jillian returns for her fourth season with Ballet Quad Cities, she is excited to continue performing for such a wonderful company and community!