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""When I stepped to the center mark and that spotlight hit me, I thought, Aqui estoy mami, aqui estoy!""""When I stepped to the center mark and that spotlight hit me, I thought, Aqui estoy mami, aqui estoy!"" Growing up in an orphanage in the Bronx, separated from the mother she adored, Lilly never knew the care and loving attention of a stable family. But she didn't let mounting obstacles and family tragedy stand in the way of her dreams. From the time she was a little girl, when the nuns first took her to see the Rockettes perform, Lilly was driven to become a dancer. This is the compelling story of her spirited journey from the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Home for Children to the great stage at Radio City Music Hall-where she danced her way into history as the first Latina Rockette. Today, Lillian Colón inspires others to find the joy in dancing and was recently featured in Forbes' 50 Over 50 2021 as a woman of excellence.

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9781737971825

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A veteran dancer, having been in the entertainment industry since the age of 16, Lillian Colon currently teaches jazz in New York City. Among many of her accomplishments in the dance world, Lillian holds the honor of being the First Latina Radio City Music Hall Rockette and was featured by the El Dario newspaper in 1997 as ""The Puerto Rican Woman of The Year."" She has appeared as a Guest of Honor and Godmother in three Puerto Rican Day parades. Graduating from the High School of Performing Arts, Lillian began her career at Lincoln Center as a ""Shark"" in West Side Story. After performing in various Latin night clubs, such as the Chateau Madrid, Lillian headed to the Los Angeles Playboy Club, where she performed nightly in Lainie's Room. Lillian also performed at Sacramento's famed Broadway Music Circus, as her roots were founded in the New York theatre world. Lillian caught the eye of Steve Merritt and quickly became one of the lead dancers for the 61st Academy Awards. She quickly became a favorite Steve Merritt dancer, touring Mexico with Olga Breskin. Lillian performed in Olga's television show, night club act, and the Spanish film, Nora La Rebelde. After returning from Mexico, Lillian became a dancer and assistant choreographer with Menudo, ultimately replacing Miguel Gonz as their choreographer. A highlight of her career was the opportunity to perform in Can Can with one of her idols, Chita Rivera. This experience introduced her to Alan Johnson, once one of entertainment's most talented choreographers. Among many well-known choreographers, Lillian worked with Joe Layton, Donald McKayle and with the famed Michael Bennett in the 10th Anniversary production of A Chorus Line. All this led to Lillian dancing on the great stage that she had always dreamed of; The New York Radio City Music Hall, as a Rockette in the Christmas Spectacular and as the first Latina Rockette. In June 2021, Lillian realized another dream, appearing as a dancer in the blockbuster film In the Heights, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegria Hudes, with Director Jon M. Chu. While the casting call was for dancers of all ages, Lillian was the only one over the age of 60 who auditioned - and was accepted into the cast!

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