Alia Roberts started her dance training at the age of 4 at her local dance studio. She trained for ten years with Russian ballet masters in
ballet and pointe, and other styles such as modern, jazz, tap, lyrical, character, flamenco, hip hop, and broadway. In her last years there, she began teaching younger students these techniques as well. She then moved to North Carolina where she attended the North Carolina School of the Arts (now UNCSA) for her junior and senior year of high school. Here she studied modern dance with members of the Limon Company, Alwin Nikolais and Murray Lewis’ company, Merce Cunningham Company, and more as well as ballet from former members of prestigious companies like the American Ballet Theatre and the New York City Ballet. Here she performed classic works of Limon, new and orginial works created by the esteemed faculty, as well as began developing her own choreography.
She then attended Hollins University, a small liberal arts college in Virginia. Here she turned her focus towards choreography while continuing with rigorous dance training. She also continued teaching classes for her peers, dancers and non-dancers alike. It was through these classes she found her niche and passion for teaching. She loved watching students grow and learn and being that person that helped that smile come out as a lightbulb went off or they simply were enjoying life. Alongside her dance career, has developed an arts administration career working for the American Dance Festival, Le Patio (a dance company based in Paris), and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival.
She graduated in May 2012 with a BA/BFA in Dance and a BA in French. She moved to Boston in September and is excited to be a new part of NEMPAC. She believes that dance enriches not only the body, but also the mind and soul. Everyone can dance and it is never too late to learn.
