ago . Because , for my audition into the Sahlala Dancers , Jill Collins had me do high kicks .
The Sahlala Dancers were founded in 1999 by Jillina Carlano , a woman who needs no introduction in this publication . With her sharp business sense and understanding of the entertainment industry , she built the Sahlala Dancers into L . A .’ s first International Dance Company . The Sahlala Dancers have been on national TV shows such as Dancing with the Stars and Keeping up with the Kardashians and were of course part of Jillina ’ s renowned projects Bellydance Superstars and Bellydance Evolution . Jillina has since left L . A . but still administers her Bellydance Evolution experience to cities across the world . I met her once at a dance workshop in L . A . and quickly felt the dance kinship … and her vast amounts of energy that fuel her ambitions . I asked her what she looked for in dancers and she shared with me that while talent is a must , she has faith in her ability to teach someone with the right spirit how to dance . She stressed that gathering amazing people who live for dance has been the key to her success .
Sahlala Dancers circa 2008 Photo by Bruno O ’ Hara
When I think about people who live for dance , a small but brilliant list emerges . One of these people is the current director of the Sahlala Dancers , Jill Collins ( the aforementioned high-kick queen ). In her current iteration , Jill is a blisteringly talented performer that has a real understanding of cultural dance nuance . In other words – she ’ s the real deal . Her passion and talent in the art of dance speaks for itself .
Jill Collins as the White Horse in Bellydance Evolution debut of Fantasm directed by Jillina Carlano . Mako Photo Matthias Kotsch
Jill hails from a small suburb of Pittsburgh , PA , and began dancing at 3 years old . She started her studies with ballet , tap , jazz and acrobatics . When she wasn ’ t dancing in the studio , or teaching dances to her friends , she would create choreographies and productions in front of her house complete with a sound system ( boom box ), a curtain ( sheets on a clothesline ), and an MC to fill time during her costume changes ( her friend ’ s older brother ). She produced her “ driveway shows ” for many years to fuel her love of performance . On an adorable note , she occasionally used stuffed animals to conceptualize elaborate formations .
Jill continued down the path that many talented bunheads take : travel relentlessly to take classes and workshops , get an impressive apprenticeship at 13 years old , figure out high school while building a professional dance career , and find yourself earning a degree in dance and or teaching . Then , move to either L . A . or New York to shoot your shot . Jill chose L . A . because she hates the cold .
In her early days in L . A . – let ’ s call them the Craigslist Casting Call Days – Jill auditioned for every opportunity that did not require an agent . One fateful day , she saw an ad asking for ballet / jazz trained dancers who had experience in a multitude of folkloric styles … including belly dance . Jill arrived at the audition in a leotard , tights , and ballet slippers , not knowing that she was auditioning for the Sahlala Dancers . In an interview that has been published on the Sahlala Dancers YouTube Channel , Jillina recounted this impression of Jill fondly .
January 2023 � The Belly Dance Chronicles 21