Elizabeth Russell (she/her) was born in Littleton, Colorado and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2019, she relocated to North Carolina to attend the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) High School Dance Program under the direction of Susan Jaffe, where she majored in both ballet and contemporary dance. Following graduation, she continued her training in the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program under Melanie Person and has since returned to UNCSA to complete her BFA in Dance with Dean Endalyn T. Outlaw. Elizabeth is trained in classical ballet, pointe, jazz, Horton, Cunningham, Limon, Graham, release technique, Gaga, West African, countertechnique, groundwork, and composition. She is expected to graduate in 2027.
Elizabeth has performed various works by Amy J. Gardner, Jennifer Archibald, Ronald K. Brown, Ethan Colangelo, Mark Caserta, Ilya Kozadayev, and Robert Battle, among others. Her performance highlights include featured roles in Gina Patterson’s Seven Deadly Sins, soloist in Vanessa Owens and Gavin Stewart’s restaging of The Front, and performances in new creations such as Darrell Grand Moultrie’s Vital Ground and Ashley Lindsey’s Portal. She has also honed her repertoire in landmark works, including Trisha Brown’s Set and Reset/Reset, Ronald K. Brown’s Four Corners, and Robert Battle’s MASS.
She has further refined her artistry through summer intensives with Ballet BC 44, The Jacob’s Pillow Contemporary Ensemble, The Juilliard School, The American Ballet Theatre, and The Joffrey Ballet School’s NYC Jazz and Contemporary program. As a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer, Elizabeth combines her passion for dance and athletic training to approach movement with curiosity, intention, and a holistic perspective, bridging artistry and athleticism.