How to make it in America: Fil-Am principal dancer gives tips
MANILA, Philippines — Hailed as “one of the most accomplished actress-dancers” in the Boston Ballet, half-Filipino Lia Cirio has enjoyed quite a career with the company.
At 16, she won the National Foundation for Advancement of the Arts award for ballet, and was invited by world-renowned Mikko Nissinen to join Boston Ballet II.
From then on, she rose to the ranks and became Principal Dancer in 2010. She has then danced numerous classical, neo-classical, and contemporary roles for the company.
She, alongside brother and Principal Dancer at the American Ballet Theater, Jeffrey Cirio, have created their own contemporary company, the Cirio Collective.
In this video by Philstar.com, Lia shares how it is to have Filipino roots living in America. Likewise, she assesses how Filipino talents can make it abroad. Finally, she gives tips to those who want to succeed in ballet— in the Philippines and beyond.
Lia’s performance is among the highlights of “American Stars Gala,” a one-night only show co-directed by Ballet Manila Artistic Director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and Boston Ballet's George Birkadze.
Featuring international ballet superstars, the gala will be held on July 7, 7:30 p.m., at Aliw Theater in Pasay City. — Video by Kat Leandicho
