One goal, some courage, persistence and support from friends and family, Hannah Russell from Warrimoo is now pursuing her career as a performer in New York City.
The 25-year-old has been performing since she was 10 years old, deciding to pursue performing professionally when she was in year 11 at Blaxland High School.
Graduating in 2010 she placed first in HSC dance, represented Blaxland High in the NSW state dance company, and received a first-round offer to study ballet and contemporary dance at Ev and Bow.
Prior to moving to New York City Hannah spent three seasons as a cheerleader for the Penrith Panthers, she hosted live shows for Nickelodeon, Dreamworks and Warner Brothers, and holds a Bachelor of Music from the Australian Institute of Music.
In 2016 Hannah was accepted to train at Broadway Dance Center, New York. Hannah spent three months training alongside Broadway performers, commercial, hip-hop and contemporary dancers, under the direction of master teachers and choreographers. Graduating in 2017 she was one of two students awarded the prestigious Outstanding Student Award.
Hannah currently auditions and continues her training in New York City. She has had the opportunity to perform as a dancer for the Julia Kane Dance Collective, ALMA NYC Dance Company, Giacomo Severnini and Broadway Dance Center.
She has also been privileged to assist master teacher and choreographer Ginger Cox for student orientation week and placement auditions at Broadway Dance Center.
Hannah also volunteers some time as a teacher at Groove with Me, a non-profit dance school in East Harlem. Groove with Me offers young girls the opportunity to take dance class and aims to nurture youth, building self-confdence, offering positive choices and providing a safe place to go.
Hannah said she “is grateful for the many opportunities she has had to perform in Australia” and thinks that, “Australian performers are well trained, strong and resilient”.
These characteristics have helped her navigate her way through the hustle and challenges of auditioning in such a huge city.
For now, Hannah is focused on the many opportunities New York City has to advance her career as a performing artist. Grateful for her strong training and career in Australia she is excited to share her skills and continue pursuing her dreams as a dancer, singer and actress in New York City, a long way from home in Warrimoo.