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Amanda Balen

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Amanda Balen (born c. 1984)[1] is a Canadian professional dancer and performer. As of 2024, she is the dance captain and associate choreographer for Taylor Swift's 2023-2024 Eras Tour.[2][3] She performed in North American and international shows and is featured in the film version of the tour.[4]

Balen grew up near Hamilton, Ontario with parents Mary and John Balen. She began dance classes at age three.[1]

Balen moved to Los Angeles to pursue a dance career.[when?] There, she trained with American choreographer Mandy Moore, who featured Balen in the 2016 movie La La Land.[1] She has also appeared on The Disney Channel, Glee, American Idol, The X-Factor, So You Think You Can Dance, Ellen, and The Oprah Winfrey Show.[5]

In addition to her time in film, Balen has toured with multiple musical and artistic performers, including travelling with Lady Gaga for the Born This Way Ball and The Monster Ball Tour, as well as Celine Dion's Taking Chances World Tour. She has also worked with Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, Carrie Underwood, Pink, and Beyoncé.[3][5] She performed in multiple Super Bowl halftime shows, including Katy Perry's performance in 2015 and Lady Gaga's performance in 2017.[citation needed]

In 2020, Balen co-directed the Dancing with the Stars live tour with the Season 28 cast.[6]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2016 Agent Carter, "A Little Song and Dance" Dancer [7]
2020 Dancing with the Stars Co-director [6]
2024 The Eras Tour Film Dance captain [2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Rockingham, Graham (February 25, 2017). "ROCKINGHAM: Hamilton dancer is upfront in La La Land". The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  2. ^ a b West, Bryan (March 22, 2024). "The Eras Tour cast: Meet Taylor Swift's dancers, singers and band members". USA Today. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Moore, John (July 13, 2023). "Swifties are losing their minds over Coloradan Mandy Moore's choreography". Denver Gazette. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  4. ^ Little, Sarah; Sharpe, Lynn (October 17, 2023). "Eras Tour Performer Guide: Every Taylor Swift Backup Dancer & Vocalist In The Concert Movie". ScreenRant. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Where are they now?". Rhythm Dance. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Burtt, Kristyn (December 10, 2019). "Going to the 'Dancing with the Stars' Tour? Here's What You Need to Know". Dance Dish with KB. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  7. ^ Abrams, Natalie (December 24, 2015). "Agent Carter: Lyndsy Fonseca to return for dreamy DWTS crossover". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 25, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2015.