Hannah J. McDonald, lovingly known as “HJ” around the studio, is an Axis Dance Co alumna and happy to be back home for her inaugural year as an instructor. Hannah J. teaches Music Theatre and Stretch-Turn-Leap. She began dancing at age 4. Her favorite styles are musical theatre and contemporary/modern. After graduating from Durant High School in 2018, Hannah J. studied at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. In December 2021, Hannah J. graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre, with minors in Dance and in Business.

 

As a college student, Hannah J. performed professionally with the WOW Entertainment (Dallas, TX), Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival (Durant, OK), Greater Cleburne Carnegie Players (Cleburne, TX), and RWS Entertainment (NYC - Lancaster, PA). In 2020, she produced a play called ALL’S WELL AT WELLA’S in which she wrote, directed, and originated the lead role through LU Theatre’s prestigious Lab Show initiative. She has been pleased to have the opportunity to guest-teach several classes at ADCO, as well as lead intensives, masterclasses, and camps during Axis Dance Co’s Summer @ the Studio over the years. Hannah J. also teaches Sunday School and sings on the worship team at Calvary Baptist Church.

 

When she is not performing or teaching, Hannah J. can be found at Boys & Girls Clubs of Red River Valley OK’s headquarters where she works as the Director of Development. During her downtime, Hannah J. is often in the company of her boyfriend, Josh, and her two cats: Jax and Phoenix. Hannah J. enjoys shopping local and promoting small businesses through her social media campaign (#ShowMeMainStreet), traveling, and listening to podcasts & audiobooks.