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Teacher Bio
Michael Cusumano grew up on Long Island, New York. He began dancing at the age of 6. At the age of 14 he won the bronze medal at the International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria (the youngest male dancer to medal in the competition’s history at the time). That same year, he went on to win the special Jury Prize at the Prix de Paris 1994.
...Read moreMichael Cusumano grew up on Long Island, New York. He began dancing at the age of 6. At the age of 14 he won the bronze medal at the International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria (the youngest male dancer to medal in the competition’s history at the time). That same year, he went on to win the special Jury Prize at the Prix de Paris 1994.
Michael then joined American Ballet Theater at age 15 as the youngest male dancer in the company’s history. With ABT, Michael danced in all the full-length classics as well as works by Twyla Tharp, John Neumeier, Agnes DeMille, and Lar Lubovich, to name a few.
After ABT, Michael danced as a principal with Alabama Ballet and then as a soloist with the Boston Ballet. He went on to perform in the original cast of All Shook Up on Broadway, then most recently starred as “the jury” in the smash hit Chicago the musical on Broadway. Michael competed and won the title of "Mr.Broadway" in the Broadway Beauty Pageant in 2011. Other credits include The Most Happy Fella at New York State Theater, On the Town at Encores, Live with Regis and Kelly, The Today Show, ABT Now for PBS, Le Corsaire for PBS, and the feature film Center Stage. Michael is currently on faculty at Pace University.
Read lessClass Descriptions
A bright, encouraging atmosphere will allow dancers to feel inspired and confident to push their boundaries as technicians and artists.
At the barre, there is much focus on placement, clarity, and strength. Center work focuses more on musicality, passion, and an organic way of moving and expressing. Michael encourages freedom not only physically, but mentally, connecting to one's body and also connecting as people with each other.
A light-hearted upbeat approach without losing sight of the demands of ballet technique, this class offers challenge with flexibility, pirouettes, timing and coordination. A mix of Vaganova, French, American and sometimes even a little Broadway touch due to Michael's career in both the Ballet and Broadway worlds.