Ever since she could remember, Lily Campbell has been a dancer. Now 15 and a rising sophomore at James Madison High School, Lily just finished the three week 22nd Annual exclusive training program with Suzanne Farrell at The Kennedy Center.
Of the hundreds of dancers from all over the country, ages 14-18, who auditioned last winter, only 26 were chosen to take part in the Kennedy Center’s exclusive three-week ballet training program, “Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell.” Six days a week, the students took two daily ballet classes with legendary ballerina, Suzanne Farrell. When the dancers were not busy on their feet, they were able to participate in many D.C. cultural activities. Suzanne Farrell danced with the New York City Ballet from 1961-1969 and 1974-1989, originated 23 roles in Balanchine ballets, and received numerous awards including a 2005 Kennedy Center Honors.
“I am really grateful for this opportunity to train at the Kennedy Center. It’s always been a goal of mine and I am thrilled to be there with Ms. Farrell.” Lily said. Last year at 14, Lily first auditioned for the program and was lucky enough to be invited back for a second session. “Working with Suzanne Farrell who is a legend in the ballet world is truly amazing. Her classes are very challenging and very fun but very hard.” When asked about her dedication and passion for dance, Lily said, “It’s a real way to express myself through movement and it’s something that we all dream of when we are really little… and I just never stopped.”
Lily’s mother, Jennifer Campbell, is “thrilled and proud” about her daughter’s achievements. “As a parent,” she said, “when your child goes to do something and is successful with what they do…it’s very exciting.” With ballet taking up so much time, Lily said she is “very academic, and besides dance, there isn’t much time for much else.”
Her mother agreed. “Ballet is so physically taxing,” said Jennifer Campbell, “you have to be driven to succeed in it. They have to be smart kids as well…For Lily, when she started getting very intensive in ballet, her grades actually went up and now she is a strong honors student.”
Currently, Lily studies under Jody Skye Schissler at a pre-professional program at The Skye Ballet Center in Herndon. Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell finished on Aug. 16, and Lily talked about how much she was able to grow in the two years she worked with her. “Ms. Farrell often talks about artistry and I’ve definitely learned about being an individual in my dancing and showing expression.”