One of the highest ranking ballet dancers in America hails from Montgomery County as The New York City Ballet has announced that Russell Janzen, who grew up in Wyndmoor, has been named a principal dancer, writes Ellen Dunkel for Philly.com.

Janzen started ballet at Philadelphia’s Rock School for Dance Education at age six, where he studied until 2005. At 16 he moved to New York to attend the School of American Ballet, where he was awarded the 2007 Mae L. Wien Award for Outstanding Promise, which is only given to the most talented student dancers.

In October that same year he became an apprentice with City Ballet, before joining the corps de ballet the following year. He was promoted to soloist three years ago.

Janzen debuted as principal male lead opposite Maria Kowroski in Jerome Robbins’ Glass Pieces.

Read more about Janzen at Philly.com.

Editor’s Note: This MONTCO Today post ran originally on Feb. 24, 2017; it has been checked for accuracy.