Lia Cirio

PRINCIPAL WITH THE BOSTON BALLET AND ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF THE CIRIO COLLECTIVE

Lia Cirio began her training at Swarthmore Ballet Theatre with Lori Ardis. She went on to train at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet under the direction of Marcia Dale Weary and Darla Hoover, where she also studied privately with Theresa Crawford and Rafael Grigorian. At the age of 16, she was awarded a Level One award from the National Foundation for Advancement of the Arts and was a Presidential Scholar in the Arts finalist. She was also awarded the top scholarship and Founders' Award presented by Barbara Weisberger at the Regional Dance America Festival. The same year, she was invited by Mikko Nissinen to join Boston Ballet II, and was Boston Ballet's Princess Grace nominee for 2004. She was promoted to Boston Ballet's corps de ballet in 2004, to second soloist in 2006, soloist in 2007 and principal in 2010.

Hailed as "one of the most accomplished actress-dancers in the company" by The Patriot Ledger, and as "an outstanding performer with tremendous stage presence" during Boston's tour to Spain. The roles Cirio has performed with Boston Ballet covers the classical, neo-classical and contemporary works of the 20th and 21st centuries.