Lily Farrar ’21, ’22 (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, Master of Science in Performing Arts Leadership & Management) is going into her second season with Odyssey Dance Theatre in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she is performing with the company and serving as its social media and marketing manager. This past spring, the company toured productions of “Chicago” and “Romeo & Juliet” in Germany for a month. Farrar will also perform with Wasatch Contemporary Dance Company, based in Provo, Utah, and with Atlas Dance Collective, with which she has also secured the position of assistant director of the touring company, which is based in West Jordan, Utah. She continues to teach masterclasses and choreograph in Salt Lake City and surrounding areas.
Q. How did your Shenandoah Conservatory experiences best prepare you to meet the various challenges of your current position(s)?
“As a professional dancer in a company, I dance 7-9 hours a day. The classes that I took at SU along with the various rehearsals in the afternoon set me up to be able to handle the long rehearsal hours needed to work in this industry. Learning how to work with the close-knit group of dancers at Shenandoah has allowed me to really thrive in a small company setting. The additional responsibilities I had at SU like running my own rehearsals and planning concerts really gave me an advantage post graduation . . . companies are always looking for people who can contribute more than just their dance abilities, but also leadership and organizational skills.”
Q. What advice would you give to a prospective dance major who is joining the Shenandoah Conservatory family?
“Choosing to attend SU was one of the best choices I have ever made. I feel as though the people I met there are a support system for life. Not only did I receive excellent training that set me up for success in the industry, I grew as an artist within my 4 years. SU let me explore my artistry and creativity while making sure I was a technically trained dancer as well, which is a combination that I believe has brought amazing opportunities in my career so far.”
