Russell Janzen is a former principal dancer with New York City Ballet. He first joined the company as an apprentice in 2007 and danced with the company for sixteen years before retiring in September 2023. During his time with the company he performed featured roles in upwards of 60 ballets by George Balanchine, Justin Peck, Jerome Robbins, Pam Tanowitz, Christopher Wheeldon, and others. Russell originated roles in seventeen world premier works including Tanowitz’s Solo for Russell: Sites 1-5 and Law of Mosaics, Peck’s Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes, Everywhere We Go, and Bright, and Troy Schumacher’s Common Ground. In addition to performing, Russell worked closely with NYCB’s Education Department, leading workshops for children, teens, adult beginners, dancers with disabilities, and dance teachers. He continues to teach and is pursuing his MSW at the Smith College School for Social Work.