DECMBER TEST

COSPLAY
HAS LANDED
LIP INJECTIONS
WHEN IS ENOUGH...ENOUGH?
TATTOOS
BEARDS, PIERCINGS
AND A WHOLE LOT OF FASH
BRANDON HART
BREE BRYANT
D A N I
FROM SMALL TOWN TO BIG STAGE

HOLY
HANNAH!

From teaching in her studio to dancing on the main stage,
Hannah Henney sat down and spoke to FASH about how
she has taken over the crazy world of dance.
(F) How and when did the idea of “becoming a dancer” come
about for you?
(H) I started dancing at the age of 3, in a Port Coquitlam dance
studio called Chiasson. I fell in love and ever since I can
remember I’ve wanted to be a dancer. It wasn’t until graduating
high school and fully immersing myself in the craft that I realized
what it truly means to be a professional dancer. It’s not this
cookie cutter thing. No dancer’s career is the same, we each have
such different paths and there IS a place for every dancer in the
dance world if you want it. You can carve your own way, follow
your own journey.
(F) What is your earliest memory of dance?
(H) Putting on my pink bodysuit and tights and my mom fixing
my crazy hair into a bun.
(F) What styles of dancing do you train in?
(H) I’ve trained in many styles. I started with Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Musical theatre and Lyrical. Once I graduated high school I put myself
through a program called The Dance Initiative where we trained Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz and Hip Hop. After that training program I did
another called The Source Dance Company where, similarly to the Dance Initiative, it was largely technique based with a bit of a taste of
some street styles. The next year I joined another training program called Souldiers. This program focused solely on Street styles, Popping,
House, Breaking, Locking, Waacking, as well as the culture and history of Hip Hop. This is where I truly began to find myself as dancer.
(F) How many hours a week would you say you put into your craft?
(H) Oh boy, I haven’t calculated that in a long time. Now that I’m no longer in a program that maps out my training every week. It’s fully
up to me to keep myself accountable. On top of teaching about 20 classes a week, I probably put in another 20+hours into my craft. This
means, training (taking classes, working out, freestyle practice and conditioning), rehearsing for upcoming shows or projects,
choreographing and prepping for classes. It’s definitely my full-time job.
(F) Do you prefer to teach dancing or to be the student?
(H) I don’t prefer one to the other. In being a teacher you are also a student. I learn just as much when I teach as I do when I am the
student. I think they are one in the same. Dance is forever evolving and you may discover something new everyday.
(F) When teaching, what is the process you go through in coming up with a new dance routine?
(H) When I choreograph it almost always stems from feeling the music. Everybody has their own process. For me, when I’m really in love
with a song and can freestyle my heart out, I know I can then use that to set choreography. It always depends what and who I am setting a
routine on. You must be very clever about how you use your dancers to get your ideas across. Everytime I create a routine it is a different
and new process. When I’m creating on kids I’m different then when I’m creating on my peers. You must know what and who you are
working with. Choreographing is a very tough yet very rewarding task.
(F) As a professional dancer, some would say that the longevity of that type of career may not be as long as others. What are your
future plans in regards to being a dancer?
I am a dancer, it will always be a part of me. I think there will always be ways for me to have dance in my life no matter how old I get.
Maybe I won’t be able to perform at the level I can right now, but spreading knowledge and love of dance will be something I will do
forever.
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

(F) Aside from dancing, if you could choose any other profession as a career, what would it be?
(H) I recently started acting and I am discovering this is something I might also really love.
(F) Who inspires you?
(H) Oh my goodness. So many people inspire me. My mom and dad, their endless support and belief in me and what I do. My friends
MJ and Saskia who have moved so far from home to pursue their dreams with such power and fearlessness. My friend Natasha Gorrie
who is one of the founders of Diamonds in the Rough, she puts so much hard work into her dance and freestyle and it shows, she is
absolutely incredible. My boyfriend Andrew who hasn’t ever had anything handed to him in life, yet he has worked so hard to get to
where he is, he inspires me with his outlook on life.
(F) What would your dream dancing gig be?
(H) Touring the world dancing with Beyonce.
(F) Do you have a dance performance (either yourself or another artist) that sticks out as a “favourite” to you?
(H) When I got to choreograph my own 20 minute show. Entitled: “Be Yourself, Everyone Else, Already Taken”. This was a big
challenge for me. To have complete creative control, to say what I wanted to say through movement. It was really scary and the most
rewarding thing I’ve done.
(F) Do you have any advice for dancers who want to make dance their profession?
(H) Yes. There is a place for you. This dance world can seem daunting but as long as you are doing this because you love it you have a
place. Never try to be what you think the world needs, be only exactly what and who you are.
(F) What kind of music/artist do you enjoy listening to?
(H) I listen to everything! Right now I’m really feeling Kaytranada and
(H) I listen to everything! Right now I’m really feeling Kaytranada and Anderson Paaks latest albums. But I will always be a 90’s child
so anything from this era is also my jam!
(F) What is your favourite movie?
(H) WOW that is the hardest question ever. Just one? well, I
absolutely adore Disney and Mulan is my favourite! What a
badass woman!
(F) There is a lot of competition in the world of dance.
What are your thoughts on that?
(H) There is a lot of competition in the world in general. We
all have to deal with that. Just keep yourself surrounded with
real and genuine people that help keep you grounded.
(F) In the world of dance, “body image” is a huge topic.
How do you feel about this and it’s impact on dancing?
(H) It is something I think about. It’s tough to not compare
yourself when it seems that slim builds and perfect six packs
are what’s “book-able” in the dance world. But that’s just it, it
“seems” that way from what we see on TV or in our social
media feeds but I think things are really changing. We have
the power to put our own ideas into the world, through
creating YouTube videos or posting something to Instagram or
creating our own live performance. We can be creative in our
own ways and create our own ideas of what’s beautiful. If I
didn’t book that job because I didn’t look the part then so
what!? I used to get upset about that stuff but now I realize if
it wasn’t meant for me then I cannot dwell on it. As a teacher
to a lot of young girls I want to be an example of strength.
(F) Now I know dance can be…”strange” at times. Do
you have any strange or embarrassing dance moments or
routines you had to be a part of?
(H) Oh I sure do. I’ve had many in my day. From having my
teeth knocked out moments before hitting the stage to falling
right off the stage in front of hundreds of people. This girl has
had many embarrassing moments but they make for the
greatest stories to laugh about with good friends.