Hilliary Vaccarello

Hilliary Vaccarello is a Chicago-based teacher and choreographer who has been dedicated to the performing arts for 20+ years. Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, she trained on scholarship with the Milwaukee Ballet and the Kirov Academy of Ballet. She holds a B.A. in dance from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Upon graduating, Hilliary relocated to Chicago, where she spent 6 years as a dancer, choreographer, and educator with the critically acclaimed contemporary dance company Thodos Dance Chicago. TDC allowed her to perform throughout the United States and work with renowned choreographers, including Melissa Thodos, Ann Reinking, Lar Lubovitch, and numerous local artists. She was also an educator for their outreach program with the Chicago Public School district.

Following her professional career with TDC, she freelanced for multiple dance companies and performed as a soloist for local productions and industrial events. In 2008, she was cast as a ballroom dancer for the film Public Enemies, which was filmed at the Apollo Theater in Chicago. She has utilized her expertise as a master teacher and guest choreographer for high school dance programs and universities, including Stevenson High School, Highland Park High School, Shattuck-St. Mary’s Prep, and Millikin University. Her choreography has also graced numerous gala events, including Draft Advertising and the American Diabetes Association.

She is certified in the Progressing Ballet Technique, which she enjoys presenting to her students, and has also participated in the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters training school.

In 2022, she established a first-of-its-kind performing arts enrichment program for St. Viator Elementary in Chicago. This allowed students to explore performing arts and perform in the annual showcase. Hilliary currently teaches at Lake Forest Dance Academy, where she serves as a senior director for the company and prepares selected dancers for the prestigious Youth America Grand Prix competition.

BA in Dance, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

• DNC 1041-03-Applied Dance: Ballet I
• DNC 2041-02-Applied Dance: Ballet II
• DNC 3041-01-Advanced Ballet