Danella Dutton is a Los Angeles–based actor, dancer, choreographer, director, and educator whose career is driven by a love of storytelling, movement, and human connection. Born on June 10 in Riverdale, Georgia, Danella was introduced to the performing arts at an early age by her grandmother, an ex-dancer who encouraged her to explore ballet and tap.

 

While shy in public, Danella found confidence through ten years of competitive baton twirling, earning multiple regional and national titles.

Her early years were also shaped by athletics. A competitive multi-sport athlete, Danella played softball, basketball, and track & field, competing at the state level and qualifying for the 2001 Junior Olympics. The discipline, resilience, and leadership she developed in sports continue to inform her approach to performance and teaching.

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In 2003, Danella rediscovered dance while exploring salsa in Atlanta, Georgia. Inspired by the joy and impact of dance, she left college to pursue the performing arts full-time and quickly established herself as an independent dance instructor. Specializing in Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, and Cha-Cha-Cha, she also trained and competed in Ballroom, Hip-Hop, and Jazz Funk. Over the years, she has performed, choreographed, and taught across theater productions, industrials, music videos, film, and television.

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In 2010, Danella moved to Los Angeles to expand her career into acting. She began with private training, studied commercial acting, improvisation at The Groundlings, and scene study at Beverly Hills Playhouse, and continues her education with Michael Yavnieli at MY Studios. Her credits include Footloose (2011), Beyoncé’s Run the World (Girls), Marriage Boot Camp (Season 1), Seven Year Switch (Season 3), Indemnity, The Hanging Stranger, Wedding Screener, and All on the Floor. In 2019, she wrote, directed, choreographed, and starred in her short film Salsa City, blending dance and film noir aesthetics.

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Today, Danella continues to teach salsa and bachata in Los Angeles while actively pursuing acting and directing projects. She remains committed to using the arts as a tool for connection, growth, and inspiration, and strives to make a positive impact through every story she tells.