Opal Russell (she/her) is a dance artist originally from Kiama, NSW, on Dharawal Country. Her practice spans classical ballet, contemporary dance, and Krump, culminating in a versatile and expansive physical language.

Opal trained on the Wales Family Foundation Scholarship, completing the Sydney Dance Company Pre-Professional Year before graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance) from the Victorian College of the Arts, where she was awarded the Norma De Grunchy Award for Excellence in Classical Ballet. Throughout her training, she has performed works by seminal artists including Rafael Bonachela, Stephanie Lake, and Merce Cunningham.

At the conclusion of her studies at VCA, Opal was an intern with Chunky Move, participating in the development and performance of U>N>I>T>E>D by Antony Hamilton , deepening her professional experience within contemporary dance practice. 

Alongside her performance career, Opal is a passionate dance educator and is currently studying a degree in Psychology at the University of Melbourne, seeking to deepen her understanding of learning, memory, and mind - body relationships.