Biography

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 age 16, Cirio 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, and to soloist in 2007. From 2008-2009, Cirio toured with Trey McIntyre Project, performing throughout the U.S. and the world. She danced principal roles in a number of McIntyre’s works. She returned to Boston Ballet for the 2009-2010 season and was named principal dancer in 2010. She has been 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.

Lia Cirio's position is funded through a generous gift from Laura J. Sen.

Biography Continued

Style Boston, in a review, stated of Cirio, “in no uncertain terms, Cirio is one of the most engaging dancers I have ever witnessed. There is, of course, the requisite precision, but of great importance is the depth with which she imbues her movements, an emotional resonance in each extension that goes beyond a beauty of form, or, even, ‘bella figura.’ She has both a fury and a fragility in her frame, and the stage never feels more alive than when she is on it. I, you, the entire city of Boston, would do well to witness it more often.”

Cirio was named in Dance Magazine's first "On the Rise" feature article, and has been featured in additional articles in Dance Magazine, Dance Spirit, The Ballet Bag, Broadway World, The Film Magazine, The Boston Globe Magazine, and on the cover of Pointe Magazine. She was named as a 2015 “Dancer to Watch” by Maria Calegari. She has performed in galas across the U.S. and abroad. Cirio is currently pursuing a degree in public relations at Northeastern University. She serves as assistant artistic director, as well as a dancer with Cirio Collective. She is the sister of American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer and former Boston Ballet Principal Dancer Jeffrey Cirio.

Repertoire

Florence Clerc, La Bayadère (Nikiya, Gazmatti, Lead Shade); Mikko Nissinen, Swan Lake (Odette/Odile, Pas de Trois, Pas de Cinq, Big Swan, Four Little Swans), The Sleeping Beauty (Aurora, Lilac Fairy, Woodland Glade Fairy, Jewels Pas de Trois, and White Cat), The Nutcracker (Sugar Plum Fairy, Snow Queen, Dew Drop, Arabian Pas de Deux, Pastorale Pas de Trois, Columbine Doll); Sir Frederick Ashton, Cinderella (Cinderella, Winter Fairy); Harald Lander, Études (Principal); Rudolf Nureyev, Don Quixote (Kitri, Mercedes, and Queen of the Dryads); Michel Fokine, Les Sylphides staged by Florence Clerc (Principal); Vaslav Nijinsky, Afternoon of the Faun (Principal Nymph); Pino Alosa, Paquita (Principal and Soloist); Maina Gielgud, Giselle (Myrtha, Peasant Pas); John Cranko, Romeo and Juliet (Gypsy/Harlot); August Bournonville, La Sylphide (Principal Role, Solo Sylph, Demi-Solo Sylph); Bronislava Nijinska, Les Noces; Leonid Yakobson, Pas de Quatre; Caniparoli, Lady of the Camellias (Olymp); James Kudelka, Cinderella (Petal Fairy, Spanish Dancer); George Balanchine, Kammermusik No. 2 (Principal), Episodes (Principal), Jewels (Diamonds Principal, Emeralds Walking Pas de Deux, Rubies Kick Girl); Symphony in C (2nd Movement Principal), Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux (Lappeenranta gala), Symphony in Three Movements (Principal), Coppélia (War and Discord, Prayer, Divertissement pas), Theme and Variations (Principal); Apollo (Terpsichore), Concerto Barocco (Principal), Serenade (Dark Angel); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Tatiana, Hippolyta, Helena, Divertissement pas de deux), Who Cares? (The Man I Love, Fascinating Rhythm); Ballo della Regina (Soloist), The Four Temperaments (Third Theme, Choleric), La Valse (one of three lead couples), Divertimento No. 15 (Soloist), Stars and Stripes (Corps de Ballet); 

Repertoire

Repertoire continued

Peter Martins, Barber Violin Concerto (classical girl); Jerome Robbins, Antique Epigraphs; Karole Armitage, Bitches Brew; Christopher Bruce, Rooster (Rooster Girl); Val Caniparoli, Lambarena; Jeffrey Cirio, fremd, of Trial (Principal), As One; Alexander Ekman, Cacti; Jorma Elo, Bach Cello Suites, C. to C. (Close to Chuck) Reborn, Awake Only, Elo Experience, Sharper Side of Dark, Slice to Sharp, Lost on Slow, Double Evil, Brake the Eyes, In on Blue, Carmen (originated role of Micaela), Plan to B; William Forsythe, The Second Detail, The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude, In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated; Jiří Kylián, Tar and Feathers, Wings of Wax, Sechs Tänze, Falling Angels; Wayne McGregor, Chroma; José Martinez, Resonance (Principal); Mark Morris, Up and Down; Heather Myers, Gone Again; John Neumeier, Third Symphony of Gustav Mahler (2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th Movements); Helen Pickett, Tsukiyo, Eventide, Etesian; Twyla Tharp, In the Upper Room; Norbert Vesak, Belong (Pas de Deux); Christopher Wheeldon, Polyphonia (Main Pas de Deux); Lila York, Celts (Red Girl); Petr Zuska, D.M.J. 1953-1977 (Principal); Trey McIntyre Project: Trey McIntyre, A Day in the Life, Ma Maison, Reassuring Effects of Form and Poetry, Leatherwing Bat, Violent Femmes; Numerous galas: Arthur Saint-Léon, Coppélia (Wedding Pas de deux); Jules Perrot, Le Corsaire (Pas de deux); Vasily Vainonen, Flames of Paris (Pas de deux); World Ballet Competition Gala: Viktor Plotnikov, Kinetic; Cape Dance Festival: Jeffrey Cirio, MiniM; Lifechance Gala: James Whiteside, Indestructible

Training

Swarthmore Ballet Theatre (1996–2000); Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (2000–2003); studied privately with Theresa Crawford and Rafael Grigorian; The Rock School for Dance Education (Summer Study, 1999); School of American Ballet (2000); CPYB , Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell (2001), Ballet Academy East (2001); San Francisco Ballet School (2002), Extreme Ballet at Kaatsbaan (2002); Boston Ballet School (2003)

Career

Trey McIntyre Project (Boise, ID); Boston Ballet (Boston, MA): Boston Ballet II (2003); Corps de Ballet (2004); Second Soloist (2006); Soloist (2007); Principal (2010)

Awards

Boston Ballet Princess Grace Nominee (2004); NFAA  Young Arts Week–Level One Award in Ballet (2003); Regional Dance America–Founder’s Award of Excellence (2003); USA National Youth Ballet Competition Gold Medal (2003); YAGP New York Finals–Top 12 finalist (2003)