HND in Classical Ballet and related studies
Certificate in PR and Marketing
Certificate in Business Management
Certified Garuda Method Pilates and Barre
Polestar Pilates Fully Comprehensive Practitioner (in progress)
Roles & Responsibilities:
“A former professional dancer of 20 years, I have as much, if not more, enthusiasm and energy for dance now than when I first started out! I consider myself extremely lucky that I grew up in a family that constantly engaged in all sorts of arts activities. Because of this my identity is rooted in the belief that we are better, more rounded individuals when we have an outlet for self-expression. I love what I do but I also acknowledge it is only dance! Life can be complex, and I am grateful that I will always have access to a form of escapism, even if that’s just an energic jig to one of my favourite tunes in the kitchen!”
Hannah is an experienced and qualified teacher of classical ballet and Pilates. Hannah is a Lecturer in Dance at NSCD and Curriculum Lead for Dance Practice. Hannah also curates the enrichment programme focusing on dancers’ health and well-being. Hannah has led curriculum development initiatives focusing on co-teaching and looking at the relationships between ballet and contemporary dance teaching and learning. Hannah is completing an MA in Dance Teaching and Facilitating and sits on the LTQA and EEDI committees at NSCD. Hannah’s commitment to safe and accessible dance practice is demonstrable through her safeguarding training and curriculum development projects within HE and the wider dance community.
Hannah was born in Surrey and started dancing at her local dance school when she was 3. Her training advanced when she joined the Central School of Ballet aged 16. She received her first professional contract at age 19, working for The Israel Ballet, dancing in works by Cranko, Balanchine, Krzysztof Pastor, and as a member of the Corps de Ballet in Sleeping Beauty and Coppelia.
In 2002, she joined Northern Ballet under the directorship of David Nixon and the training of Yoko Ichino and worked her way up the ranks to Principal Soloist. Whilst at Northern Ballet, she danced in all current repertoire including creating roles such as Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby, Jane in the Southbank SkyArts Award-nominated ballet Jane Eyre by Cathy Marston, and roles in multi-award nominated works by Kenneth Tindall including Henriette in Casanova and Geisha Mother in Geisha.
Hannah toured across the world with Northern Ballet, performing in the opening night at the Beijing Opera House (National Centre for the Performing Arts) as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, she performed in the Kenneth McMillian celebrations at the Royal Opera House in Gloria and performed soloist and principal roles in works by Nixon, Marston, Morricome, Tindall, Watkins and Hampson. She received much critical acclaim throughout her career, notably for her performance as Ondine in Ondine, and as the Lead couple in Hans Van Manen’s Concertante. She performed in the Production Prize-winning ‘Project 1’ at the International Choreographic Competition in Hanover, and has performed at MOMO Paris, Tate St Ives and Frieze Art Fair in work collaborated and curated by Linder Sterling, Kenneth Tindall, Pam Hogg, Christopher Shannon and Richard Nicol.
Hannah officially retired from the stage in 2021 with her final performances as Madam de Pompadour in Casanova.
Hannah founded and launched The Ballet Retreat in 2016. The Ballet Retreat offers bespoke ballet intensives for adult ballet enthusiasts with a focus on expert tuition accompanied by live piano within professional studio and theatre settings. This has allowed Hannah to develop her passion for teaching and producing and seen a loyal and committed community grow around the joy of sharing a love of dance and movement.
Hannah has produced on several digital dance projects included the multi award winning EGO by Dan Lowenstien and Kenneth Tindall in association with Northern Ballet, Open House a series of behind-the-scenes style programs showcasing the rehearsal process for classical and neo-classical work and a variety of events including fundraising Gala’s and performances.
