 Joel HannaCalled “one of the most exciting dancers to ever step on the World stage”, Joel began his training at age 9 in Vancouver B.C. competitively achieving success all over the world, winning various titles including one Australian National Championship, three consecutive North American Championships, the North American Senior Belt, and 4th in World Championships. He also received 3 Overseas Awards at World Championships.
Early as a professional, Joel co-created and choreographed the Music and Dance show "Celtic Thunder" which went on to tour throughout Canada and the American Pacific Northwest. Joel’s professional career took off after joining RIVERDANCE: The Show in 1997, performing throughout Britain and North America. During this time he was selected to be the subject of a CBC/Riverdance produced documentary called " The Badboy and the Hometown Girl", which is still broadcast today. After two seasons Joel left the company to join the original stars of the show, Colin Dunne and Jean Butler, to perform in they’re production DANCING ON DANGEROUS GROUND in London’s West End, Radio City Music Hall, and the Royal Variety Performance .
Joel then went on to choreograph and star, for four years as the original lead soloist for the critically acclaimed European production Fire of Dance which performed on more than 200 stages a year and included a special performance for the president of Yugoslavia. He has taught and choreographed award winning pieces for schools and professional dance companies all over North and South America, including The Vancouver Tap Society (BC), The Vanaver Caravan (NY), Solas An Lae(NY), Simon Fraser University (BC), New York University ( NYU) and Columbia University (NY) Helping the infectious spread of Dance internationally, his innovative style of teaching and performing has been sought after all over the world, from Mexico city to as far North as Juno Alaska, and from Singapore to Warsaw, London and back!
Joel also spent the Summer of '08 touring as Lead Tap Soloist in a UK tour or "Magic of the Dance". His latest project "Revolution: Sweat, Dance, Rock & Roll" debuted in New York City at the world famous Joyce Theater during its 25th anniversary season in Oct. 07'. Following the phenomenal success of its run, the production (partnered with Columbia Artists Management Inc. or "CAMI") performed a national tour sponsored by Gibson Guitars, and continues with a South American and European tour this Spring.
Since a young age, he has expressed his creativity and physicality as a percussionist and a martial artist, and has implemented his experience and training in other areas into his style of dance. His additional training in Irish, Flamenco, and classical guitar has resulted in a very dynamic and unique performer. Being recognized for being "different" has also acted as a catalyst for Joel. An attribute that has made his performance and teaching style sought after all over the world and gained him acceptance into the international Modern and Tap communities, and opportunities to perform on stage with Masters such as Pete Seeger, Charles "Cholly" Atkins, Jimmy Slyde, and Jeni LeGon, Dianne Walker, Brenda Bufalino, and Jason Samuels Smith around the world. He is also the only dancer from Vancouver of any style, to have his own show open and run in New York City.
“The star of the show is undoubtedly Joel Hanna. His dynamic style of dance and body percussion and the speed with which he applies it is breathtaking.”
-The BBC, UK.
“A genuinely skilled and appealing dancer(Joel Hanna)”
-New York Times.
“He was unbreakably cool and composed no matter how hot his feet got.”
-Weatherford Daily News
“Joel Hanna is one of the most talented performers I've ever worked with”
-Colin Dunne >
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