Rising Stars: Meet Dylan Tillman of El Monte

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dylan Tillman.

Hi Dylan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My relationship with dance officially began during my freshman year of high school in 2014. What started as a substitute for my physical education course grew into a love and passion that I would continue pursuing for years to come. I joined my school’s dance team, where I began competing in jazz, contemporary, and pom. After high school, I attended Cal State Los Angeles as a psychology major, still unsure of what I wanted to pursue in the future. While there, I took a contemporary dance class through the dance department and had the opportunity to perform in two departmental repertory concerts. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, I transferred to Mount San Antonio College as a graphic design major, continuing to place my love for dance on the back burner. I knew Mt. SAC had an exceptional dance department, and I kept the possibility of taking a dance class or auditioning for a repertory concert in the back of my mind. As I progressed through my graphic design coursework, I found myself struggling to connect with the work I was putting my time and energy into. However, when it came time for my one jazz class, my passion for dance came to life again. I was drawn to the rigor and athleticism of the movement and the way jazz allowed me to express a bold, confident side of myself. After our first class, another student approached me and invited me to attend the department’s repertory auditions that Sunday. This experience gave me my first real glimpse into the level of commitment and artistic excellence that a collegiate dance department could offer. I met incredible dancers and felt inspired to be surrounded by others who shared my enthusiasm for dance. I was excited to find a department that held its dancers to high standards and challenged me to grow as a performer. As I continued taking classes and participating in the department, I gradually found myself on track to earn an Associate Degree in Dance, almost without realizing it. One afternoon between technique classes, Department Chair Professor Michelle Shear approached me and asked, “So, when will you be graduating?” Although it was a simple question, it prompted me to recognize how far I had come and consider what I wanted for my future. In that moment, I knew I wanted to continue my education through dance and further immerse myself in the collegiate concert dance world. Through the Mt. SAC dance department, I was able to meet some of my best friends, significantly develop my technical and artistic abilities, and perform in numerous concert productions. The department also gave me opportunities to begin exploring choreography and supported my transition to a four-year university. Now, after transferring to California State University, Long Beach, I hope to continue building upon the foundation I established at Mt. SAC. I hope to further develop my artistic voice within pursuing my goals as I work toward my BFA in Dance.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not! There were many bumps along this journey with dance. Especially right after high school, it felt like I was listening to all the outside voices telling me all the negatives of participating in a dance department. I would hear people question sustainability within the dance industry after graduation, questions if that was even a major, and people simply just dismissing dance as a career and as a whole. I went through so many majors before I stopped pretending I was actually interested in my biology and graphic design classes. I tried psychology, biology, then graphic design before I realized I wanted to pursue dance. It added so much time, doubt in myself, and pressure that I feel I could have prevented if I was not so interested in what others thought about my own future. But, nonetheless, I am always grateful for whatever journey I am on!:)

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I would say my work is mostly known for blending different dance styles with athletic qualities. I enjoy mixing elements of contemporary and commercial jazz with street-inspired accents. I feel like the combining of different movement qualities allows me to create something that feels uniquely my own. I also enjoy playing with more modernized aesthetics, like using electronic beats to create dark or eerie moods, while incorporating fun props and unexpected elements into my choreography. I like being able to experiment with different styles, energies, and atmospheres, and I think that mix of physicality, creativity, and visual elements is what makes my work stand out to me.

How do you think about luck?
I definitely think there is some element of luck in everything. With that said, I am not really sure what role luck has played in my dance training. I feel like I have put the time and dedication into my training, which is not really luck-based but more a reflection of my work ethic. I think in this instance, luck is more of a “right place, right time” feeling rather than just being lucky. I am lucky to have received quality training in both high school and community college, which helped prepare me for my future. I also feel lucky to have been in the right place at the right time to meet some of my best friends. In those instances, I think luck has played a major role in my journey.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @dylantillman_

Image Credits
Mount San Antonio College Photography Department