Alex Ko
| Alex Ko | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
Nicholas Alexander Ko February 3, 1996 Iowa City, Iowa, U.S. |
| Residence | New York, New York |
| Other names | Alex Ko |
| Occupation | Actor and dancer |
| Years active | 2009–present |
Nicholas Alexander Ko (born February 3, 1996) is an American actor, dancer and singer. He won the title role in Billy Elliot the Musical on Broadway in 2009.
Early life
Ko is the middle child of three children. He was born and raised in Iowa City, Iowa. Ko's father, Cheukman Sam Ko, was a Chinese American born in Hong Kong, who died of liver cancer when Ko was 11 years old. He was a professional gaffer in the film industry in Hong Kong who later became an Entrepreneur after relocating to the United States in 1992. His mother, Tammie Cumming, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and raised in DeLand, Florida. At the age of 13, Ko and his family relocated to New York City to perform the title role of Billy in "Billy Elliot the Musical" on Broadway. Ko said that his household is influenced heavily by the Chinese culture.
Ko won National and Regional Dance and Gymnastics Championship titles since the age of 5-years old.[1] He was the youngest student admitted to The University of Iowa Department of Dance, where he has earned college credit and has a 4.0 GPA.[2] He was also awarded full scholarships to Steps on Broadway and the Joffrey Ballet School.
Education
After attending Elementary School, Ko was accepted to The University of Iowa in Iowa City under Iowa's Talented and Gifted law and dual-enrolled in the Iowa City Home School Assistance Program. Upon high school graduation from the Professional Children's School in New York City, he went on to study at the American University of Paris.
Billy Elliot the Musical
When Ko landed the title role in the Broadway hit Billy Elliot the Musical as the first replacement Billy for Kiril Kulish, he relocated to New York City from Iowa with his family. Alex made his Broadway debut on October 6, 2009 and made his final performance as Billy on 15 May 2011.
Television
Ko made a cameo appearance on stage at Sugarland's televised broadcast of their Unstaged concert held in NYC in October 2010 and made his national television debut in November 2010 and February 2011, when he appeared as a guest artist on NBC's television special "Shall We Dance On Ice?" with a solo performance, as well as a duet with Broadway star, Cody Green.
Ko appeared in a guest role on ABC Family's Bunheads in June 2012 directed by Kenny Ortega.[3][4]
American Ballet Theater
Ko continued his dance education at The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School – Pre-Professional Division American Ballet Theater under the guidance of Mr. Franco DeVita.
Book
Ko published his autobiography, Alex Ko: From Iowa to Broadway, My Billy Elliot Story, on April 30, 2013 (Publisher: Harper Collins).
Discography
Albums
| Year | Album | US |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Carols for a Cure | — |
| 2010 | Carols for a Cure | — |
References
- ↑ International Gymnast, July/August 2010
- ↑ FYI University of Iowa uiowa.edu, September 8, 2009
- ↑ Theatermania theatermania.com, May 31, 2012
- ↑ Broadway World tv.broadwayworld.com, May 31, 2012
External links
- Alex Ko at the Internet Movie Database