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Teacher Bio
Michelle Barber (she/her) has been a teacher/choreographer for over 30 years. Her dance training began in her hometown of Cleveland, OH, where she studied with Dee Hillier and Karen Colabianchi. At the age of 16, Michelle began working as a choreographer for local cheerleading competitions and national show choir competitions....Read more
Michelle Barber (she/her) has been a teacher/choreographer for over 30 years. Her dance training began in her hometown of Cleveland, OH, where she studied with Dee Hillier and Karen Colabianchi. At the age of 16, Michelle began working as a choreographer for local cheerleading competitions and national show choir competitions. She also began working all over the Cleveland area performing for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Matrix Hair Care Products, Kirby Vacuum, Francois Girbaud, Electric Avenue, and the Cleveland Ski Fair. In 1995, Michelle came to New York and auditioned for the 2nd National Tour of Guys & Dolls, landed the job, and never looked back!
Soon after moving to New York City, Michelle worked as a dancer in industrials and television specials. She also started teaching and choreographing at local dance studios. While studying at the Broadway Dance Center, Michelle became a part of Frank Hatchett's VOP teaching staff. She soon earned her own classes at Broadway Dance Center and has become one of the studio’s most in-demand faculty members.
Her professional credits are proof of her talent and versatility as a choreographer. Michelle choreographed the Solid Gold Dance Party Tour featuring The Village People, France Joli, Peaches & Herb, and Anita Ward. Michelle was also chosen to honor Director/Choreographer Rob Marshall with her choreography at The Elan Awards in New York City and showcase her work at the Choreographer’s Canvas. Michelle has choreographed for Dance Spirit Magazine, and her work has been featured in musical theatre productions (Guys & Dolls, The Music Man), college dance team performances (John Carroll University, Cleveland State), and dance competitions nationwide.
Michelle has been a guest artist/master class instructor at Associated Dance Teachers of New Jersey, Broadway Dance Center Teacher Workshop, Capital Kickline, Cleveland School of Ballet, Cedar Crest College, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, Coupe Theatre Studio, Dance Olympus, DRA, Dance 10, Dance Teacher Magazine, Emjaez Dance Studio, Franck Escuela de Danza (Morelia, Mexico), In House Dance Explosion, Middlebury College, Muhlenberg College, Newburgh Arts Academy, The PULSE, Touch of Class Dance Studio, Dance 10, and Showstopper.
As a testament to Michelle’s abilities as a a teacher and choreographer many of her students have gone on to perform on Broadway, in National Tours, and in Regional Theater. Students and teachers around the US and the world seek Michelle as a Master instructor, choreographer and adjudicator.
Class Descriptions
Michelle’s classes begin with a warm-up designed to get you focused, balanced and ready to dance. Paying attention to technique, strength and breath, the warm-up will guide students in improving their skills as dancers during the combinations. A certified Pilates instructor and yogi, Michelle incorporates this fundamental knowledge of the body into all aspects of her class. Rather than be limited by one style of dance, Michelle prefers to let the music guide her when creating her movement. Her choreography is therefore a fusion of many styles of jazz dance as well as her own brand of movement. With over 30 years of experience, Michelle has developed a style uniquely her own. To see more of her work, follow her on Instagram @michellebarberdance
Michelle’s classes begin with a warm-up designed to get you focused, balanced and ready to dance. Paying attention to technique, strength and breath, the warm-up will guide students in improving their skills as dancers during the combinations. A certified Pilates instructor and yogi, Michelle incorporates this fundamental knowledge of the body into all aspects of her class. Rather than be limited by one style of dance, Michelle prefers to let the music guide her when creating her movement. Her choreography is therefore a fusion of many styles of jazz dance as well as her own brand of movement. With over 30 years of experience, Michelle has developed a style uniquely her own. To see more of her work, follow her on Instagram @michellebarberdance