Michelle Dorrance-Featured Artist, Phase Three

Michelle Dorrance is a New York City based tap dancer, performer, choreographer, teacher and director. A 2013 Jacob's Pillow Dance Award winner, 2012 Princess Grace Award Winner, 2012 Field Dance Fund Recipient, and 2011 Bessie Award Winner, Michelle is the founder and artistic director of Dorrance Dance. She is one of the most sought after tap dancers of her generation and “one of the most imaginative tap choreographers working today” (The New Yorker). 

Mentored by Gene Medler, Michelle grew up performing with the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble and has since performed with: The New York City and North American touring casts of STOMP, Savion Glover's ti dii, Manhattan Tap, Barbara Duffy & Co, JazzTap Ensemble, Rumba Tap, Ayodele Casel’s Diary of a Tap Dancer, Mable Lee’s Dancing Ladies, Harold Cromer’s original Opus One, Derick Grant’s Imagine Tap and Jason Samuels Smith’s Charlie's Angels / Chasing the Bird. Michelle's choreography has been featured at NY City Center's Fall for Dance Festival, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, The Kennedy Center, Danspace Project, Symphony Space, The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (CHRP), Sweet Basil's Tokyo, in a high-fashion short film for Tabitha Simmons’ 2011 Fall line, in a commercial for Toyota Taiwan, and at numerous Tap Festivals throughout the world.

A highly sought-after instructor at festivals, universities, conventions and studios throughout the world, Michelle embodies a true passion for teaching and strives to share this passion wherever she goes. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from New York University, played bass for indie-pop band, Darwin Deez, teaches on faculty at Broadway Dance Center, is a Capezio Athlete and has been featured on the covers of Dance Magazine and Dance Teacher Magazine. Michelle wishes to credit the master hoofers from whom she studied with in her youth for constant inspiration and influence. For more information please visit: www.michelledorrance.com & www.dorrancedance.com


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