Jill Oates

Jill Oates, originally from Winters, California, is a graduate from UC Irvine with a B.F.A. in Dance Performance and a B.S. in Biological Sciences. She originally trained with Vacaville Ballet School, The Sacramento Ballet, and Deane Dance Center before her college education. Jill was the inaugural recipient of the ASTAIREAWARDS Excellence in Dance Scholarship at UC Irvine and had the chance to perform pieces by accomplished choreographers: Tong Wang, Molly Lynch, Diane Diefenderfer, and Dante Puleio. Jill danced as a company member with Central West Ballet Company for 5 years, ending as a soloist in 2023. She is currently a member of Little Women Ballet Company in Pasadena and is excited to be joining NCBT for their inaugural season. Outside of ballet, Jill works as an Elephant Wildlife Care Specialist at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and loves to spend time by the ocean. She is passionate about using ballet to build community, tell stories, and express emotions while maintaining a healthy relationship with the mind and body.