Kiril Kulish

Hi, my name is Kiril Kulish. I am 14 years old and currently live in New York, NY. I was born and grew up in San Diego and my family is originally from the Ukraine, so I grew up speaking Russian, Ukrainian, English as well as Spanish. My sister, Beata Kulish, taught me how to dance when I was only 3 years old and saw the potential in me when I was able to follow all the steps to a choreography routine she was working on in college. I loved dance so much, especially ballet!

From the moment I started dancing, I loved it! I just felt this electricity that I could not explain. Also starting piano helped me a lot with my musicality along with the fact that I come from a very musical and performing arts family.

From 5 years old I started to train seriously and I started winning in ballet and ballroom dance and by age 12, I received the Grand Prix at the ballet competition YAGP (Youth America Grand Prix Competition www.yagp.org) as well as became a US Champion in ballroom dance.
» See Awards List

Most of my friends in my ballet company were unaware of the fact that I was a ballroom dancer and a concert pianist as well, since I pretty much resembled any normal kid who loved to play baseball, soccer, skateboard, basketball and tennis.

My mom, Raisa Kulish, was my piano teacher and she has been an inspiration in my life as well. With such a supportive and amazing family that believed in me and helped me soar, it was easy to do the things that I loved because they wanted the very best for me.

I had the privilege of being invited to some of the top ballet schools in the world on scholarship as well as danced and performed with ABT American Ballet Theater in 8 Gala Concerts in Mexico City and the beautiful Palacio de Bellas Artes. I also played to a sold out crowd a solo piano concert in Mexico City.

Even though it is nice to win awards, my focus has always been on what I enjoy doing most. I love to play with my friends and to me, performing as “Billy” in Billy Elliot and doing all the things that I do is such a passion and an absolute reward. I feel privileged to share it with the world!

I always knew that I would be dancing ballet as well as ballroom dance and playing the piano and I would be singing and acting and enjoying that as well and if I had to choose, I would choose everything because I certainly love everything that I do.

Having the opportunity of playing Billy in a Broadway show is really meaningful to me. I can certainly find many things in terms of relating to Billy. I really appreciate this incredible opportunity to play such an important role and hopefully will leave a mark on this Broadway show!

I would like to thank my wonderful family and my amazing dance teachers who helped me develop my skills. Getting this part was a wonderful step to hopefully performing and astounding audiences for the rest of my life in Billy Elliot as well as roles in film, television and Broadway for years to come!