Ms. Ilse began dancing with Montana Ballet Company at the age of eight under the direction of Elizabeth DeFanti. Born and raised in Bozeman, she performed in numerous productions, including The Nutcracker, Snow White, The Little Mermaid, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, where her role as Helena remains a favorite.

After graduating high school, she joined Ballet Palm Beach in Florida, spending two years as a Trainee and one year as an Apprentice. During this time, she performed professionally in productions such as The Nutcracker, Peter Pan, Giselle, and appeared in The Merry Widow with Palm Beach Opera.

She returned to Bozeman to begin teaching ballet with MBC and is currently pursuing a degree in Dietetics/Nutrition at Montana State University. She hopes to combine her passion for dance and healthcare by working with dancers in the future.