Alana Sargent was born in Gisborne, New Zealand, where she began her ballet training at the Diane Logan School of Dance at the age of 5.

Alana started training under the Junior associates program at the New Zealand School of Dance (NZSD) in 2004, which was a precursor for her acceptance into the school’s full-time Contemporary program. Just prior to commencing her study, Alana competed to become the runner-up for the New Zealand Young Performer of the Year in jazz and contemporary dance.

Alana was awarded the ‘New Zealand Dancer’ scholarship in her second year of training, and graduated from the NZSD in 2010. Toward the end of her graduating year, Alana attended an Australian secondment with Sydney Dance Company, and was thus invited to attend their auditions. As a result, Alana was offered a contract with the company, sponsored by FOXTEL, who chronicled her experience in a documentary. The setting for the documentary – and focus of her contract – was the Sydney Dance Company season of New Creations 2, where she worked alongside the company with Israeli choreographer Emanuel Gat.

Most recently, Alana performed in New Zealand with Sacha Copland and Wellington-based Java Dance Company for their 2011 season of Rise.

Alana joined Sydney Dance Company in April 2012.