Kaitlyn Gilliland / Photo by Paul Kolnik

By Rick Nelson

Minnesota native Kaitlyn Gilliland has been named the New York City Ballet's 2010 Janice Levin Dancer.

Since 2000, the award is bestowed annually upon a promising member of the company's 48-member corps de ballet and is widely viewed as a leading indicator of career advancement. Four past winners -- Abi Stafford, Daniel Ulbricht, Ashley Bouder and Teresa Reichlen -- have since been elevated to the rank of principal dancer.

Gilliland is a third-generation Minnesota dance artist. She's the daughter of Lise Houlton, artistic director of Minnesota Dance Theatre, and the granddaughter of the late Loyce Houlton, founder of MDT. After training at MDT and the School of American Ballet, NYCB's affiliated academy, Gilliland began dancing with the company as an apprentice in 2005 and joined its corps de ballet in 2006. She has been cast in soloist and principal roles with the company, including recent performances of "Swan Lake," "Fancy Free" and "The Nutcracker."

The winner is selected by NYCB ballet master Peter Martins. Gilliland will receive the award on Feb. 10 at the company's Annual Luncheon, which will also recognize the upcoming retirement of longtime principal dancer Darci Kistler.