Zsilas Michael Hughes (they/them) is from Little Rock, Arkansas. They trained under the kinesthetic conceptual teachings of Arleen Sugano at Rock City Dance Center and on full scholarship at Pacific Northwest Ballet as a Professional Division student. They attended summer courses at Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Dream Big Dance Company, Ballet Arkansas, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, University of Utah, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Zsilas joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2021 and was promoted to corps de ballet in 2022.

As a PNB student, Zsilas performed in digital works by Leah Terada (On Being), Miles Pertl (Giving Garden), and Christopher D’Ariano (Follower) for PNB’s NEXT STEP choreographer showcase.

In 2017, Zsilas was the recipient of the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) First Place in Classical/Contemporary division. Zsilas Michael Creations is an archive of self-choreographed solo works.