My class gives students a different side of hip hop than they are usually exposed to. I push the artistic and storytelling aspect of choreography through hip hop movement with a heavy focus on body control and musicality. Currently, I am working as a Co-Director of Michigan Dance Project, a contemporary company run out of Brighton, MI. I have worked at many local studios and I've been teaching workshops and master classes all over the state. I have worked in collaboration with and taught alongside some of the top hip hop choreographers in Michigan and have established a strong reputation through the Michigan hip hop dance community.
Teaching/Choreography Experience
-Dance Studio Hip Hop Instructor/Choreographer:
Michigan Dance Project | Brighton, MI | 2011-Present
-Co-Artistic Director, company class instructor, choreographed/directed performances
Michelle's Academy of Dance and Performing Arts Center | Brighton, MI | 2011 -Present
American Dance Academy | South Lyon, MI | 2010-2011
Troy Dance Studio | Troy, MI | 2005-Present
-Taught hip hop, salsa, and tango. Promoter, receptionist
-Hip Hop Workshop/Master Class Instructor:
Artist's In Training | Nationwide | 2012
-Nationwide convention tour, founded by Robert Shultz, Instructor
Mi(CHI)gan Undivided Workshop | Troy, MI | August 2011
-Founder, promoter, collaborated with ten of the top instructors from Michigan and Chicago
Boom! Workshop |Brighton, MI | June 2011
Collaboratory Workshops | Troy, MI | Jan-2011, April-2011
-Founder, promoter, collaborated with top instructors from Michigan
Performance Experience
Detroit Salsa Congress | Livonia, MI | 2010-2011Troy Dance Studio- Principal Dancer
Motor City Movement | Pontiac |2010 -2011 Featured Choreographer/Performer
The Wannabe's TV Show | Howell, MI | (Starz Family) 2010 Dance Episode Principal Dancer
Miley Cyrus Music Video | Rochester, MI | 2010- Who Owns my Heart
Motown Music Awards | Detroit, MI | 2006
Greektown Casino | Detroit, MI | 2005-2006
Puerto Rico Travel and Tourism Company Performance | Toured Midwest | 2009
Sensuality Latin Dance Show |Choreographer and Principal Dancer
Training
Troy Dance Studio | Troy, MI | 1994-Present
Studied Hip Hop, Breakdancing, Ballroom, and Latin Dancing
Oakland University | Rochester, MI | 2009-2011 | Dance/Theatre Double-Major
Studied Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre
Monsters of Hip Hop | Chicago, IL | 2010
Hip Hop Instensive with Poppin Pete, Marty Kudelka, Rhapsody, Laura Edwards, Kevin Maher, and Luther Brown
Millenium Dance Complex | Los Angeles, CA | 2009-2010
Ian Eastwood, Bgirl Shorty, Kevin Maher, Tucker Barkley, Nick Demoura, Sir Charles
Travis Staton-Marrero