Get to know Yanis!
We sat down with choreographer Yanis Eric Pikieris to ask him about his journey with dance, his new work for Chicago Repertory Ballet and more.
CRB: Tell us about your pathway to dance? How did you start dancing?
Yanis: I’ve been surrounded by dance my entire life! My parents were both Principal Dancers with Miami City Ballet and my dad had his own company, Maximum Dance Company, while I was growing up. My parents also have a school, Miami Youth Ballet, that is celebrating it’s 30th anniversary this upcoming season! Even with all of this, I didn’t start taking dance seriously until I was in high school - briefly at my parents’ studio and then for a few years at Miami City Ballet School. I then danced with Charlotte Ballet as an apprentice for two years before moving back to Miami in 2016 to join Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami as a founding member of the company.
CRB: What about choreography? When did you become aware that you're interested in making dance?
Yanis: When I was at Miami City Ballet School we had the opportunity to choreograph on our peers as part of a composition class. It was my first experience choreographing anything and, while the result wasn’t great, it sparked my curiosity and encouraged me to continue exploring choreography. I had similar opportunities at Charlotte Ballet, but it wasn’t until I moved back to Miami that I really started to find my footing as a choreographer - first choreographing on the students at Miami Youth Ballet and, eventually with Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami.
CRB: What are some of your favorite works that you've made before?
Yanis: Some of my recent favorites have been Voyager (2023) and Arcadia (2024), both at Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami with music by Oliver Davis. Voyager actually premiered while on tour in Charlotte, which made the experience especially meaningful for me. Another favorite ballet is Before Sunrise (2025), which was the first time I got to work with my friends at Ballet Vero Beach, and with a commissioned score by my very talented friend Gabriel Aguilar.
CRB: What are some of your inspirations as a choreographer?
Yanis: My main motivation is always the music! I have to really love it. Whenever I listen to music, I try to visualize colors and shapes which then help inform every other detail of the work - from the movement quality to the design of the costumes.
CRB: What can you tell us about your upcoming work at CRB?
Yanis: I’m calling the piece ‘Beyond the Blue Line.’ While it’s unfortunately not inspired by the CTA Blue Line, the title draws from the idea that our blue line represents the horizon - the place where sky and sea appear to meet - which appears to be both a boundary and an invitation. ‘Beyond’ suggests stepping past what is visible, crossing into the unknown, and venturing toward new opportunities and new possibilities.
CRB: What do you like to do outside of dance?
Yanis: Unfortunately, I’m a pretty busy guy! Splitting my time between being Resident Choreographer and Company Manager at Dimensions Dance Theatre and serving as Associate Director of Miami Youth Ballet. When I do get a chance to escape, I love to travel! I’m happiest exploring new and exciting places - or just revisiting and enjoying my favorite cities, like Chicago! I also love immersing myself in all the arts - musicals, opera, live music, museums, all of it! I try to see and experience as much as I can while I have the chance. At home, I also love to cook (big Food Network fan) and read (big murder mystery fan) and sleep.. though unfortunately never enough!