HANNA HAARALA'S BIOGRAPHY
Hanna Haarala is one of the UK’s leading dance teachers in both Latin and Ballroom, but her career could have taken a completely different path.
Up to the age of ten, Hanna was a competitive ice skater in her native Finland. It was at this age that dance first entered her life. Her cousin was an aspiring dancer and one day Hanna accompanied her to a class. The teacher was so impressed with Hanna’s raw talent and potential that he made arrangements for Hanna to be partnered with an equally talented male dancer. Despite having spent her early years concentrating on ice skating, she immersed herself in the world of dance and, three months later, quit ice skating for good.
As her appetite for dancing grew, Hanna rapidly discovered that she wanted to devote her life to dancing. There followed four years of study at a prestigious school for dance teachers. It was during these years that Hanna found a new dance partner in Mikko. It was to prove a fruitful partnership as they went on to dominate the Finnish amateur ranks to become Finland’s number one ranked couple. This led to them representing their country at the European and World Championships and World Games. After three years of intense competitions, they decided it was time to move on and so dissolved their partnership.
With a new found ambition burning inside her, Hanna decided the time was right to pursue her dream to dance at a higher level. Andrew Cuerden, a promising young South African dancer was searching for a new partner and having heard about a dazzling Finn who was looking for a new partner, travelled to Helsinki for a trial with Hanna. It was to be the beginning for an exciting chapter in Hanna’s career. After moving to the UK, they soon turned professional and began competing at the highest level around the world.
In the summer for 2005, the call came from the BBC to join their cast of professional dancers for series three. Coupled with Casualty star Will Thorp, Hanna turned in many memorable performances – especially in the ballroom – to finished sixth out of twelve couples.
“I have to say that Strictly Come Dancing was a wonderful experience. It was six great weeks in which Will and I not only worked really hard but had lots of fun along the way. My best moment on the show was when we danced the Foxtrot. His posture was so good; it was a real pleasure to dance with him. He remains one of the best men whom I have ever danced ballroom with.”
In June 2008, Andrew and Hanna made the decision to retire from professional competition after the Blackpool International Open to concentrate on other projects. However, the future is bright for Hanna who remains as busy as ever teaching numerous dance classes in and around London as well as performing with Andrew in exhibition shows around the world.
In a career that has seen her ranked in the top 25 in the World as well as performing in-front of ten millions viewers on Strictly Come Dancing, Hanna has always danced with a smile.
Up to the age of ten, Hanna was a competitive ice skater in her native Finland. It was at this age that dance first entered her life. Her cousin was an aspiring dancer and one day Hanna accompanied her to a class. The teacher was so impressed with Hanna’s raw talent and potential that he made arrangements for Hanna to be partnered with an equally talented male dancer. Despite having spent her early years concentrating on ice skating, she immersed herself in the world of dance and, three months later, quit ice skating for good.
As her appetite for dancing grew, Hanna rapidly discovered that she wanted to devote her life to dancing. There followed four years of study at a prestigious school for dance teachers. It was during these years that Hanna found a new dance partner in Mikko. It was to prove a fruitful partnership as they went on to dominate the Finnish amateur ranks to become Finland’s number one ranked couple. This led to them representing their country at the European and World Championships and World Games. After three years of intense competitions, they decided it was time to move on and so dissolved their partnership.
With a new found ambition burning inside her, Hanna decided the time was right to pursue her dream to dance at a higher level. Andrew Cuerden, a promising young South African dancer was searching for a new partner and having heard about a dazzling Finn who was looking for a new partner, travelled to Helsinki for a trial with Hanna. It was to be the beginning for an exciting chapter in Hanna’s career. After moving to the UK, they soon turned professional and began competing at the highest level around the world.
In the summer for 2005, the call came from the BBC to join their cast of professional dancers for series three. Coupled with Casualty star Will Thorp, Hanna turned in many memorable performances – especially in the ballroom – to finished sixth out of twelve couples.
“I have to say that Strictly Come Dancing was a wonderful experience. It was six great weeks in which Will and I not only worked really hard but had lots of fun along the way. My best moment on the show was when we danced the Foxtrot. His posture was so good; it was a real pleasure to dance with him. He remains one of the best men whom I have ever danced ballroom with.”
In June 2008, Andrew and Hanna made the decision to retire from professional competition after the Blackpool International Open to concentrate on other projects. However, the future is bright for Hanna who remains as busy as ever teaching numerous dance classes in and around London as well as performing with Andrew in exhibition shows around the world.
In a career that has seen her ranked in the top 25 in the World as well as performing in-front of ten millions viewers on Strictly Come Dancing, Hanna has always danced with a smile.
