Dancing Through Life: ECU Transfer Student Lillian Avery
Dancing has helped Lillian Avery walk tall. The once-quiet student now speaks confidently, participates in class discussions, and isn’t afraid to take risks. Recently accepted into East Carolina University’s highly competitive dance program—where only 25 students earn a coveted spot—Avery has spent her life moving to the rhythm of her ambitions. A student at Beaufort County Early College High School, she will graduate in May with an Associate in Arts from Beaufort County Community College.
When she starts at ECU, she will leave behind small, nurturing classes and instructors who have acknowledged her passion for learning and reignited her interest in subjects like history.
Avery’s dream began when she was five years old, watching Dancing with the Stars with her grandmother. “I needed to be one of those girls twirling on screen,” she recalls, laughing. Her parents, recognizing her enthusiasm, enrolled her in dance classes. By age 10, she joined a competitive dance team, and at 13, she declared that dance would be her life’s pursuit.
Her family has been supportive, though practical concerns remain. “My dad wants me to have a side gig, just in case,” she shares. Still, Avery’s passion remains undeterred. “The only thing I really know how to do is dance.”
That drive intensified when the COVID-19 pandemic closed her dance studio. Isolated and missing her creative outlet, Avery turned her bedroom into a personal studio. “I was so lonely, so I just started working on all these moves,” she explains. Watching videos of professional dancers online, she practiced new techniques and refined her skills.
Her dedication paid off. Upon returning to her studio, her dance instructor immediately noticed her progress and promoted her to the senior competition team. “It was a big moment in my dance career,” she says proudly.
Avery gravitates toward lyrical and contemporary dance, styles she describes as “storytelling through movement.” While ballet offers technical precision, she finds contemporary dance more expressive. “Contemporary is like relaxed ballet—you’re still hitting the moves, but with more room to tell your story,” she explains.
Her love for storytelling through dance extends to her future career goals. Avery aspires to perform in Broadway musicals like Wicked, join Disney’s stage productions, or become a backup dancer for major artists on international tours. “I’d love to tour with a music artist like Taylor Swift. You get to perform live every night and be part of something huge.”
Though dance has brought countless opportunities, it has also required sacrifices. Vacations are rare, social events often take a back seat, and much of her free time revolves around rehearsals and performances. Yet, she finds community within her studio. “Most of my friends are dancers, so it’s built-in bonding time,” she says.
Getting into ECU felt like destiny fulfilled. She appreciates the program’s well-rounded approach, which balances ballet, tap, and contemporary equally—unlike other universities that focus on just one style. “They treat the arts as connected, not separate. As a dance student, I can even join musical theater performances,” she explains.
The week leading up to her acceptance was agonizing. “I kept refreshing my email every day,” she admits. “By Thursday, I thought, ‘I didn’t get in.’” Then, on her way to the bathroom after biology class, she saw the email notification. The preview made her heart sink, but when she opened the message, her disbelief turned to joy. “I immediately called each of my parents—everyone was so excited.”
While she will still spend four years at ECU, finishing all her general education courses at Beaufort County Community College will give her an advantage. It allows her to dedicate more time to practicing. Students must constantly audition for performances throughout the year, and rejection is part of the process. “The seniors told us, ‘You probably won’t get into every dance—and that’s fine.’”
Avery sees every experience—whether a triumph or a setback—as part of her story. “Even when I’m not dancing, people say I carry myself like a dancer,” she reflects. For her, movement is not confined to the stage. It is a way of expressing emotions, telling stories, and navigating life’s challenges.
With ECU’s stage as her next platform, Avery is ready to leap into her future. “If I can survive falling on stage, I can survive anything,” she says with determination. And with that mindset, she dances forward, her future still unfolding, one graceful step at a time.
