Choreographer and Director of Rhumpas and the Wild Things, an eclectic and spirited dance/drum troupe, Lilya is “an artist of uncommon diversity.” Dancing since childhood, Lilya’s professional dance and teaching career began in 1998. She is a certified fitness trainer, holds an M.S. in Educational Psychology, M.F.A. in Writing, Expressive Arts, Certificate of Graduate Studies in Expressive Arts Therapy: Coaching, Consulting, Training, and more. Dance and "dance therapy" has taken her to Canada, Scotland, Switzerland and throughout the U.S.
Some of Lilya’s teaching and performance venues:
Lilya’s dance is influenced by the internationally recognized dancer/ choreographer, Richard Gonzalez. She has studied with the acclaimed Cutumba! of Santiago, Cuba, Elena Mosley's Kuumba, and other renowned dancers and drummers. Lilya’s Middle Eastern dance training is cabaret, folkloric, ATS, and Rom styles as taught by Elaina, Morocco, Nourhan, Aszmara, Tayyar Akdeniz, Dalia Carella, and Kajira. Lilya's classes are always earthy and joyous.
Come and try a class! "It's never just a dance class!" Ellen
Hope to see you soon!
(518)470-3078
Here are some wonderful links that Lilya encourages you to explore:
Richard Gonzalez
Katherine Dunham
Dunham Technique:
Kuumba Dance & Drum/Operation Unite.
- Survivors of Sexual Assault
- Survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury
- Arts in Education programs
- Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Hudson Black Arts Festival
- Women Recovering from Drug and Alcohol use
- Domestic Violence Programs
- Women Survivors of Cancer
- Schenectady County Community College
The European Graduate School
Dancer/Choreographer : Anna Helprin