Kaitlyn Gilliland trained at Minnesota Dance Theatre & School and the School of American Ballet, where she earned the Mae L. Wien Award for Outstanding Promise in 2004. From 2006 to 2011, she performed corps de ballet, soloist, and principal roles with the New York City Ballet (NYCB) and was named the company’s Janice Levin Dancer for the 2009/10 season.

After leaving NYCB in 2011, Kaitlyn appeared as an independent artist with several NYC-based dance companies, joining Twyla Tharp’s 50th Anniversary tour in 2014. She has since originated and performed leading roles in numerous Tharp works, appearing most recently in the Bessie-award-winning revival of In The Upper Roomas part of New York City Center’s 2022/23 season. She currently serves as a Tharp repetiteur. 

Kaitlyn has previously served on the faculty of the School of American Ballet, as NYCB's Assistant Children’s Rehearsal Director, and as Interim Artistic Director for Minnesota Dance Theatre. She holds a BA in psychology, summa cum laude from Columbia University and an MBA from the Yale School of Management.

(Status: 2024)