Colin Heino 0-

Colin Heino - Dancer

Originally from Plainfield, Illinois, Colin graduated from the University of Southern California’s Glorya Kaufman School of Dance in 2023, with a BFA in Dance. At USC, Colin performed featured roles in Whereabouts Unknown by Jiří Kylián, In Creases and Rodeo by Justin Peck, Counterpoint by Kyle Abraham, and corps roles in works by Ohad Naharin, William Forsythe, and more. Before attending USC, Colin trained at The Chicago Academy for the Arts and expanded his training by spending summers at the Jacob’s Pillow Contemporary Ballet Program, the Royal Ballet School, the Joffrey Academy of Dance, the Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and the Juilliard School.

When did you start dancing, and how did you initially get involved in danced?

I started dancing when I was eight years old. I spent most of my early childhood playing various sports, from baseball to soccer, tennis, hockey, and basketball. I even tried piano lessons at one point! However, nothing stuck with me. My sister had been taking dance classes at our local studio, and while waiting for her to finish, I asked my mom if I could try taking classes. I enrolled shortly after and have been dancing ever since.

Where did you grow up, and where do you live now?

I grew up in Plainfield, IL, about 45 minutes west of Chicago, IL. I spent my whole childhood there, dancing at local studios and going on to attend The Chicago Academy for the Arts. Upon graduating from the Academy, I moved to Los Angeles, CA, where I started at the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. I graduated from USC Kaufman in May 2023 and moved to Austin, TX, to join Ballet Austin as a Company Artist.

What's your favorite part about being a professional dancer?

My favorite part about being a professional dancer is my colleagues, both in Austin and around the world. I am surrounded by such inspiring and passionate people who never cease to amaze me.

What companies and/or productions have you danced in?

I will be starting my second season as a Company Artist with Ballet Austin this fall. This will also be my second season with Traverse City Dance Project. The previous 2023 summer season being my first.

What's something people may not know about being a professional dancer?

It's not always serious. Often, the best part of being a dancer is the camaraderie you foster with your colleagues and the moments of humor and joy.

Do you have a favorite role or dance work to perform?

I have been fortunate to perform works by Jiří Kylián, Justin Peck, Kyle Abraham, Stephen Mills, and William Forsythe, among others, but my favorite and most challening piece that I have had the opportunity to perform would be Minus 16 by Ohad Naharin. It demanded extreme physicality, precision, and vulnerability, requiring me push the limits of my capabilities as an artist and athlete.

Tell us about an onstage experience you will never forget?

There are an innumerable amount of experiences I cherish, but the one that felt most surreal was taking my first bow with Ballet Austin.

Any funny onstage stories?

During the Party Scene in The Nutcracker, the dancers will sometimes play "tag" to keep each other engaged and to interact with new people.

Tell us something we don’t know about you.

I have an identical twin brother!

Have you been to Northern Michigan before? What are you most looking forward to this summer as part of the Traverse City Dance Project?

As a kid, my family and I would spend summers in Southern Michigan, and occasionally we would venture up north. Dancing with TCDP last year was the first time I spent an extended amount of time in Northern Michigan. I'm looking forward to revisiting its beauty and getting to collaborate with some amazing artists.