Dalia’s career in Pennsylvania Ballet brought her a wide variety of classical and contemporary roles including: the title role in Cinderella, Myrta in Giselle, Hans Van Manan’s Grosse Fugue, Paul Taylor’s Arden Court, Lynne Taylor-Corbett’s Great Galloping Gottschalk, and William Forsythe’s Love Songs. Leading roles in Balanchine ballets include: Dew Drop and Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Serenade, Rubies, The Four Temperaments, Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, Swan Lake and Coppelia. With Pennsylvania Ballet, Dalia has received critical acclaim for her classical form and instinctive interpretations as well as her contemporary movement and impassioned style.
Mrs. Hay was born in Queens New York and began her ballet training at the age of three at the Robovsky School of Dance. After relocating with her family to Texas, she continued her studies at the Tuzer School of Ballet and the Etgen-Atkinson Dallas Met. As a scholarship recipient, Dalia had the pleasure of studying at the San Francisco Ballet, the Boston Ballet, and with noted director Robert Joffery.
After her initial training, Dalia performed with the Milwaukee Ballet for two seasons. In 1987, she was invited to join the Pennsylvania Ballet and was promoted to Soloist in 1993.
DA: When did you first begin to dance?
I began dancing at age 3. Every year my mother would ask me if I wanted to continue and I would always say, of course. By the time I was 12 years old I was dancing 6 days a week. I still take class 2-3 times a week.
DA: When did you first begin teach?
I taught master classes while I was dancing professionally, but I really started teaching all levels of ballet when I opened the school in 1998.
DA: What styles of dance are you trained in?
I studied ballet intensively with some of the most renowned teachers in the world. I also worked with many modern dance masters throughout my career.
DA: What is your favorite aspect of teaching dance in the classroom?
I love getting to know the students, helping them to achieve their personal goals and to realize their full potential.
DA: What do you hope your students take away from your class?
The love of dancing and the self discipline that it has given me has had a profound effect on my life. I hope my students see that and can learn by my example.