DANCE JOX - Key Persons
Tom is a native of Madison, Wisconsin where he began his training with Studio One, Monona Academy of Dance, Ballet Madison and Madison Ballet. He continued his training with Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School, The Rock School, and Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy before joining Texas Ballet Theater in 2003.
During his gratifying time with TBT Mr. Kilps has enjoyed countless roles in Ben Stevenson's ballets, some of which include "Ptolemy" in Cleopatra, "Renfield" in Dracula, "White Rabbit" in Alice in Wonderland, "Mercutio" in Romeo and Juliet, "Amour" in Don Quixote, and "Jester" in Cinderella.
Tom finished out his full-time dance career with TBT in 2015 due to a few hindering chronic injuries. Reluctant to stop dancing, he danced a few guest roles with the Fort Worth Opera, The Dallas Opera, and Contemporary Ballet Dallas prior to returning to Wisconsin in 2016 to be closer to family. Tom is currently enjoying being a faculty member at Madison Ballet so he can fulfill his passion for teaching others how to become better ballet dancers.