About Me
Jillian Amadi Roberts is an Afro-diasporic dance educator, choreographer, director, and scholar whose work centers cultural grounding, antiracist practice, and the living lineage of hip hop as a contemporary dance of the African Diaspora. Currently based in Seattle, and shaped by her roots in Washington, DC and a decade of creative work in New York City, Jillian brings nearly three decades of movement experience to her teaching and artistry.
Her pedagogy is culturally sustaining, trauma-informed, and deeply invested in honoring Black cultural production. Jillian’s classes empower dancers of all ages to participate in Hip Hop culture with respect, historical awareness, and embodied curiosity. She is committed to illuminating the global impact of Afro-diasporic movement and helping students build technique through groove, musicality, and cultural context.
As a choreographer and creative coach, Jillian’s work spans stage and screen, including collaborations with artists such as The Gregory Brothers and Garth, as well as writing, lecturing, and mentorship with the Freedom Movement Collective. Across all her roles, she weaves together education, performance, and community engagement to support dancers in developing both skill and cultural literacy.
Jillian is currently an MFA candidate and Pre-Doctoral Instructor at the University of Washington, where her research and teaching continue to explore Hip Hop’s histories, aesthetics, and pedagogical possibilities. She holds degrees from Wesleyan University and Touro College and remains guided by the belief that the best teachers are always learning.