Central Illinois Ballet Company Members
Central Illinois Ballet
Company Members
Hannah Ray-Principal Artist
Hannah was born in Barrington, IL where she trained with the Barrington Dance Academy. She also spent summers with Milwaukee Ballet, River North Dance Chicago, and Thodos Dance Chicago. She graduated summa cum laude from Point Park University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance. While at Point Park, Hannah performed works by Peter Merz, Ernest Tolentino, Kiesha Lalama, and Nicholas Petrov’s Romeo and Juliet. In 2015, Hannah qualified as a finalist in the Youth American Grand Prix performing in New York and placed in the top 12. Previously, Hannah has danced professionally with MERZTANZ Contemporary Ballet Company under Peter Merz and Convergence Ballet under Jennifer Cafarella. Since joining CIB some of Hannah's favorite roles include; Mina and Lucy in Dracula, Clara and Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, the title role in Firebird, Christine in Phantom of the Opera, the title role in Cinderella, and Daisy in Gatsby. She has also set original works on the company; Disconnect (2018) and A Sailor Suite (2021). This is Hannah's sixth season with Central Illinois Ballet!