Photos: From Larissa Liles Instagram page.

Duke University’s Dancing Devils have announced Larissa Liles as the head coach for the 2024-2025 season. Liles, a seasoned dancer and choreographer, brings decades of experience to the position, having trained and performed extensively since childhood.

The Duke Dancing Devils’ Instagram post welcomed Liles, stating, “Please give a warm welcome to our 2024-2025 Dancing Devils Head Coach, Larissa!!!!”

Liles began dancing at the age of three and quickly made a name for herself in the dance community. “I’ve been dancing my entire life, and I want to continue to grow in my career and be able to bring back anything I can reach or touch and be a part of,” she said. “This will not only help me personally but will also benefit my studio in the long run.”

She won her first National Dance Title at Walt Disney World at just eight years old. A graduate of East Carolina University (ECU), Liles holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance with a concentration in jazz and choreography. During her time at ECU, she was a member of the Tap Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble and trained under prominent instructors such as Tommi Galaska, Galina Panova, and Patti Weeks.

Her professional experience extends beyond the classroom. Liles has trained with renowned dancers including Jennifer Archibald, David Dorfman, and Joe Joe "Grooves" Smith. She also served as an Assistant Dance Instructor for four years before pursuing her degree in dance. In 2009, Liles was crowned Miss Kinston-Lenoir County and participated in the Miss North Carolina Scholarship Pageant, where she received a Non-Finalist Talent Award.

“Working on choreography for all kinds of routines has given me a better eye for detail and refinement,” Liles said. “It’s an essential part of developing a keen sense of what works best for each performance.”

Since 2013, Liles has owned and operated her own dance studio, Limited DanceWorks, where her students have consistently achieved high scores and top honors at various competitions.

Liles was an NFL cheerleader for the Carolina Panthers during the 2018-2019 season and has choreographed for various university dance teams, including Duke, Wake Forest, East Carolina, and NC State. She also works with high school dance and cheer teams.

“Being a part of the NFL really gave me a lot of growth,” Liles said. “It taught me a lot about the difference between what the fans see and what is actually shown on the screen. That experience has been invaluable in understanding the bigger picture of performance.”

Some of her former students have gone on to become professional dancers and university dance team coaches. Liles has also served as a regional and national judge for multiple dance competitions and worked as a registration manager for a large competition.

“As an individual, I am constantly seeking to grow within the dance field,” Liles said. “I’m committed to taking every opportunity to learn and develop so that I am never standing still. This approach will benefit not only me but also the dancers coming out of Greene County and the surrounding areas.”