Alana Niehoff Donnell is a native of Aurora, Colorado. Alana was trained and tested in the Royal Academy of Dance, Cecchetti, and Vaganova ballet techniques. In 1998, at the age of 15, she was one of four Americans chosen to compete at the Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland. Upon arrival home, she was invited by Wes Chapman to join the Alabama Ballet where she performed soloist and principal roles. Following her time in Alabama, she was selected by John Meehan to join the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company in New York City.

Niehoff continued to become one of the world–famous Radio City Rockettes and performed with the company for 11 years. As a Rockette, she appeared on various national television shows and was featured in Dance Spirit magazine. Additionally, Niehoff performed with Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet in Colorado and alongside stars such as Liza Minnelli, Richard Simmons, Tim Gunn, Jane Lynch and the cast of Ugly Betty. She received acting training at T. Schreiber and at William Esper Studios, and appeared in the world premiere of Maury Yeston’s Hans Christian Anderson with Maine State Music Theatre.

As an instructor and choreographer, she has taught, and/or choreographed for Cary Ballet Conservatory, CPYB, UNCSA, UNCSA Preparatory Dance Program, Commercial Dance Intensive, American Ballet Theatre Studio Company, American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive, Alabama Ballet, and the Radio City Rockette Experience. Alana has received teacher training in the Vaganova method and CPYB syllabus. She is a Progressing Ballet Technique® certified teacher and a 250hr certified yoga instructor. Alana is an ABT® Certified Teacher who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.