"Dancing presents many challenges in a quest to reach perfection, ironically though, it’s sometimes the imperfections which make it most interesting and beautiful"
"Dancer To Watch", Dance Australia Critics Survey, 2007.
"Dancer To Watch" , Dance Australia Critics Survey, 2002.
"Aggregate Award" , South Australian Stage Dancing Society Competitions, 1997.
"Senior Scholarship Winner" , South Australian Stage Dancing Society Competitions, 1997.
P: 07 3103 2833
M: 0402 018 475
Int M: +61. 402 018 475
E: lizzie@lizzievilmanis.com
Born in Tanzania, East Africa, Lizzie grew up in Adelaide before moving to Brisbane where she gained an Associate Degree in Dance in 1999 from the Queensland University of Technology.
In 2000 she joined Expressions’ Dance In Education Company in collaboration with the Queensland Arts Council and toured “Surf’s Up” and “Lines In The Sand” to primary schools throughout Queensland.
In 2001 she danced in Queensland Opera’s production of “The Pearl Fishers”, choreographed by Rosetta Cook and also took part in a collaborative dance project, “The Sanctuary”, directed by Dale Johnston.
She was invited to join Brisbane-based Expressions Dance Company in 2002 and had her debut dancing with the company in the Beijing Modern Dance Festival. She toured both nationally and internationally with the company until the end of 2007, performing major roles in “Virtually Richard III”, “Score”, “The Fifth Door”, and “Fragments of Memory”. During her time with the company she had the opportunity to work with choreographers such as Maggi Sietsma, Natalie Weir, Sue Peacock, Cheng Tsung Lung, Lisa Wilson and Justin Rutzou. She also worked with dramaturges Jennifer Flowers and Veronica Neave as well as with voice coach, Melissa Agnew. Lizzie choreographed “Café 3941” for the company’s “Either Side of Forty” season in 2006.
In 2007, Lizzie performed in Katie Noonan’s music film clip “Time To Begin”, choreographed by Natalie Weir.
Lizzie worked with ‘Elbow Room Collective’ headed by Lisa Wilson and performed in the collective’s “Elbow Room” at the Brisbane Powerhouse in 2008.
Lizzie has been a sessional dance lecturer at the Queensland University of Technology, and an adjudicator for the Queensland Cecchetti Medals in Brisbane. She has also taught for the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, the Wellington Summer School, the Development of Contemporary Dance in Noumea, Mad Dance House in Brisbane, and she has led workshops in contemporary, ballet, choreographic techniques, movement for drama, and repertoire.
Lizzie is currently a dancer with Adelaide based Leigh Warren and Dancers. In between contracts she works in partnership with her husband, Zaimon Vilmanis, as an independent dance artist in Brisbane.