Jillis Roshanali

Jury about the nomination

''The extra quality that Jillis Roshanali brings to his strong technique has enabled him to rise above being part of an ensemble and now manifest himself as an impressive soloist in his role as Drosselmeyer. Immediately upon his entrance, Roshanali brings striking expressiveness and flair to his rock-solid technique and sets the story in motion. He makes Drosselmeyer a layered character: aloof and eccentric, funny and also human. His charisma is palpable until the very last moment of the performance. In his role as Drosselmeyer, he brings the magic of theatre to life for young and old alike."

About Jillis Roshanali 

When Jillis was four years old, he started dance expression. Like his sister, he really wanted to dance at the preparatory course of the Leiden Ballet & Theatre School. Here, until he went to the Royal Conservatoire, he took lessons in various dance styles, singing and theatre. Strangely enough, ballet was not really his favourite class; he saw himself dancing and singing in musicals on stage. He eventually got to do this in two musicals. In the last one, he played the fantastic role of Billy Elliot.

At the age of 10, Jillis was allowed to participate in the Christmas ballet performance of De Dutch Don't Dance Division as a street child. He was soon told that his dancing talent was remarkable and was given a leading role as a child. Thom Stuart and Rinus Sprong advised him to audition for the dance programme at the Royal Conservatoire. All those months of rehearsing sparked his great passion for ballet, which ultimately made him eager to audition. 

Jillis was able to develop his skills at the Royal Conservatoire's dance programme. However, he experienced his greatest development at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of The American Ballet Theatre in New York.  He concluded his American adventure with Summer Intensive, where he received a scholarship for his excellent performance during the audition.

Jillis believes it is important to experience other styles and to continue developing himself in modern dance. He likes the fact that many of the ballet techniques are also reflected in the repertoire at Introdans.

Fotography: Hayden Idrus