Sterling Hyltinwas born in Amarillo, Texas. She began her dance training at the age of six at the Dallas Metropolitan Ballet, where she studied with Ann Etgen and Bill Atkinson. Ms. Hyltin entered the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet, full-time in the fall of 2000. In October 2002, Ms. Hyltin became an apprentice with NYCB, and in June 2003 she joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet. In March of 2006 she was promoted to soloist. Ms. Hyltin was promoted to principal dancer in May 2007.