Hlif joined the National Ballet Academy in 2009 and has been Principal of the Upper School since 2012.

She started dancing in Iceland and graduated from the Royal Ballet School in London. Hlif has danced with several companies including Dutch National Ballet. She has pursued various professional avenues and has fulfilled many managerial posts such as ballet mistress, director of school and companies.

Hlif was artistic director of the Artez Dance Academy in Arnhem and the school of Modern Dance in Kopenhagen before joining the NBA. She has collaborated with the school in several capacities; teacher, principal and interim artistic director.