Coming Back to Herself: Lilly’s Journey Through Mentorship

Lilly and I, early years. New York City Dance Alliance

Lilly joined the AFD mentorship program at the end of summer 2025—shortly after nationals, after her mom came across one of our posts about emotional connection and acting. At the time, her mom shared that Lilly had been struggling with her confidence, and with senior year approaching, it felt really important to support her in rebuilding that sense of self. What stood out immediately was that this wasn’t about starting from scratch—Lilly had always been a deeply capable and confident young dancer. It was about coming back to that place, in a way that felt grounded and sustainable.

The Commitment

Here we are pictured in the zoom classroom.

And she truly committed to that process.

Week after week—sometimes twice a week—she showed up.

We spent a lot of time building from the inside out—learning how to ground her body before performance, access emotion in a way that felt honest (not forced), and develop a real sense of trust in herself.

It wasn’t about adding more on top—it was about stripping back the pressure and learning how to listen, respond, and stay present in the moment.

Lilly and I in NYC at Gibney

She traveled to New York City multiple times to take class with me, and even flew out to Santa Barbara to attend Acting For Dancers: Theatre Lab—our immersive weekend experience designed to bridge technique and storytelling, and support dancers in stepping into a deeper level of presence and artistry.

Lilly at Acting For Dancers Theatre Lab in Santa Barbara, CA

(You can learn more about upcoming Theatre Lab opportunities and join us here.)

One of the first things I ask my mentorship students to do is write out a series of goals. We take time to craft them carefully—both in clarity and in language—so they begin to work with the subconscious, not against it. Lilly set three “career” goals at the beginning of our time together. At the time, they felt big. A little intimidating. The kind of goals that stretch you into a new version of yourself.

And recently, she accomplished the third.

Each time she reached one, it was such a genuine celebration—I remember literally jumping up and down, smiling as the messages came in. But what feels most meaningful isn’t just the external milestones. It’s the internal shift that happened alongside them. The confidence. The way she now carries herself. There have been multiple moments where others have reflected back to her the “bright light” she is—but what’s been most powerful is watching her actually receive that, and begin to believe it.

Stepping Into What’s Next

As she moves into this next chapter—preparing for her professional career—it’s been incredibly special to watch her begin to bring these tools into real, tangible experiences. She attended her first Radio City audition this past week, and we’ve been deep in pre-production for her first dance film, which she’s planning to release in May. There’s a groundedness to the way she’s approaching these moments now—a trust in herself, in her preparation, and in her voice as an artist.

Lilly at her first Radio City Audition

The same tools we’ve been building in session are now the ones she’s bringing into auditions, rehearsals, and her own creative work.

It’s always an honor to walk alongside dancers in this way, but there’s something particularly meaningful about witnessing someone reconnect with themselves so deeply. Lilly, I’m so proud of you. And so grateful to be a part of your journey. :)

In Her Own Words

“I never thought I would make it out of high school because of my mental health… feeling anxious and alone, not knowing how to express what I was feeling.

But after 7 months, I can now say I am the happiest and healthiest I’ve ever been.

I have learned more about myself since July than I have my entire life.

Sarah teaches me that being an emotionally secure human must come before becoming any type of performer.

I walk into rooms now feeling content in myself—and I don’t hide like I used to.

I’ve become the person I’ve always wanted to be.”

- Lilly N.

Work With Me This Summer

If you’re a dancer who feels like you’re putting in the physical work, but still unsure how to access deeper confidence, storytelling, or connection in your performance—this is exactly the work we do inside mentorship.

I’ll be opening a limited number of mentorship spots this summer, and I’d love to support you.

You can reach out directly or apply here.