About Me

Daniella Russell is a Connecticut-born dance artist, choreographer, and scenic artist whose work exists at the intersection of movement, storytelling, and design. Raised in Stratford, she was immersed in creativity from an early age: drawing, painting, singing, and dancing, developing a natural instinct for expression that continues to shape her artistic voice. Through her work, she aims to evoke emotion and foster connection, using movement as a language to explore the human experience. Rooted in storytelling, her choreography emphasizes musicality, transforming sound into movement and bringing the nuances of music vividly to life.

Daniella began her dance training at the age of three, initially resisting the rigidity of structured technique in favor of movement that felt instinctive and free. Her relationship with dance shifted in her early teens when she joined Rockwell Dance Center’s Pre-Professional Modern and Hip-Hop Companies, where she discovered a deep connection to the language of movement and began cultivating her own creative voice.

As a young choreographer, Daniella created original works with her peers, including a piece that earned a Second Place Choreography Award at Youth America Grand Prix. During high school, she expanded into dance on film, choreographing, directing, and co-editing a project set to “Purple Hat” by Sofi Tukker, which gained significant online recognition with over 28,000 views. She continues to explore dance for the camera as a vital extension of her artistic practice.

Daniella went on to earn her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Point Park University, where she was cast in on-stage works under renowned artists including Rennie Harris, Karla Puno-Garcia, Kevin and Marcel Wilson, and Crystal Frazier. While deepening her performance and choreographic practice, she also pursued studies in technical design with a focus on scenic painting and design.

Her behind-the-scenes experience includes work as a Props Artisan and Scenic Design Assistant on productions such as The Winter’s Tale and Steel Pier, directed by Tome Cousin. Daniella currently works as a Scenic Artist with Global Scenic Services, contributing to off-Broadway productions and immersive experiences such as Level 99.

An inquisitive and multidisciplinary artist, Daniella Russell continues to expand her creative reach, bridging dance and design to build immersive, visually rich worlds both onstage and on screen.