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Michelle Thompson
Ballet
Biography:
MICHELLE THOMPSON is currently a professor at SUNY Purchase. Michelle was the Artistic Director of New York based Spark Movement Collective from April 2020-March 2024. Michelle grew this company for the past 4 years and has been awarded grants by The Flushing Town Hall for programming for children and The Queens Council on the Arts for her work Armenian Voices. She received her training from San Francisco Ballet, and danced for 14 years with Ballet Austin. She performed in works by Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, Ulysses Dove, Stephen Mills, Sidra Bell, Greg Dolbashian, Nelly Van Bommel, Amy Seiwert, James Gregg, Gina Patterson, Thang Dao, and more. Also during her time in Texas she earned her undergraduate degree from St. Edward’s University, and began her choreographic career with an emphasis on site specific and immersive dance experiences. She is a freelance choreographer in New York, and has recently shown work at The Mark O’Donnell Theater, Green Space, Dixon Place, and Art On Site. She has recently been commissioned by NuVu Festival, CreateArt, Kingsland Wildflower Festival, and SUNY Purchase. Michelle has worked closely with Grammy award winning musician Johnny Butler and creative partner Caleb Patterson on projects performed at The Visionary, Mercury Lounge, Ace Hotel in Brooklyn, C'mon Everybody, and the Howland Cultural Center in Beacon, NY. She was chosen as the Women’s Choreography Project winner in 2017 by Avant Chamber Ballet in Dallas and was featured in Dance Magazine. Michelle’s Illusory Impressions collaboration and co-directorship with composer Catherine Davis was given an award by the Austin Critics’ Table for excellence in a Site-Specific work. She also creates for film and music video projects. She teaches for Peridance and for NY Community Ballet at Battery Dance. She also teaches yoga, and is a mother of two. Michelle is excited to be embarking on a new commission in Dallas for PegasusClass Description:
Michelle’s ballet class focuses on technique, musicality, coordination, and artistry. The combinations at the barre help to prepare dancers for a technical and fun center with epic adagios, sweeping turns across the floor, and vibrant jumps. Michelle aims to encourage and coach all dancers who step into her classroom and to create an environment where everyone feels welcome. She hopes dancers walk away from her class with a renewed sense of joy and love for ballet. Michelle brings wisdom from her 10 years of training at San Francisco Ballet, and 14 years as professional ballet dancer with Ballet Austin.