Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Thompson.

Hi Michelle, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

I started dancing when I was 5 years old and then went on to train at San Francisco Ballet at age 8. At that moment in my life, I knew that I wanted to be a professional dancer with a dance company. I went on to dance with Ballet Austin for 14 years, and worked with amazing choreographers. During my time in Austin, I began choreographing more consistently with an emphasis on site specific and immersive experiences. I then moved to New York in 2015 to pursue more choreography and teaching. I currently teach at SUNY Purchase at the Conservatory of Dance, Peridance, Steps on Broadway, and NY Community Ballet. I directed a dance company in New York for 4 years called Spark Movement Collective, and I have produced my own work. I have been commissioned to create choreography by dance companies all over the United States as well as college programs. I am currently creating a large project called “Dinner Party” that will premiere in New York in September 2025. I also have a 500 hour Yoga Alliance Certification and have been teaching yoga for 16 years. On top of all of this I am a mother of two.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

It has not always been smooth. I think my optimism and resilience have helped me recover from tough times, but honestly this career is not for the faint of heart. A career in dance takes constant work and nothing is guaranteed. My training was tough, but I loved it. My career with Ballet Austin was a dream, but there were definitely times where I was disappointed about not getting casted in a dream role or having to undergo ankle surgery. The recovery from each set back or disappointment fuels the next the next moment or the next chapter. You can choose to give up or push harder. I always chose to push harder. I think the hardest phase for me has been my choreographic career, because I have many dreams and aspirations but there is immense competition to get awarded or selected for those opportunities. I have learned to create opportunities for myself with hard work, passion, and grit.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

I am currently known as a choreographer who works hard, treats dancers with respect, and creates environments where everyone can grow. My choreographic style ranges and I tend to highlight the strengths of the dancers in front of me, while still challenging them to reach new heights. I am proud of a lot of the work I have done and the situations I have managed, but one of the biggest was probably my role as an Artistic Director. I said yes to this job in November 2019, but my day one was April 1, 2020. This was a crazy time in the world and a very crazy time in the arts, because of Covid 19. I had just started this job and I had a group of dancers looking at me wondering what we were going to do. The company was so active during this time with films, outdoor rehearsal, outdoor performances, virtual rehearsal, virtual shows. and community outreach. It was one of the busiest and most stressful times of my life. Helping me children with online school and trying to keep our company going during uncertain times was very difficult, and I am proud of what we created.. Keeping everyone safe was the highest priority, and we still managed to create and share art during such a scary time. The art brought people joy, healing, entertainment, and inspiration.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?

I have a lot of supporters and cheerleaders in my life. My husband has always been a big supporter of what I do and has helped me through some big decisions. My Uncle Sam is one of my biggest cheerleaders and supporters. He is also an artist and really understands what it takes to be in this world. He encourages me and gives me suggestions that help me go further. We talk on the phone once a week about life and art and projects. We have collaborated together, and I think we both help our individual creative processes grow and expand. My creative partner Caleb Patterson is an enormous supporter, advocate, and cheerleader for me. He knows exactly what to say when I am stressed during a project, and I feel that he really believes in me. His support and belief in me has given me a great deal of courage to go for big things. My children are huge cheerleaders, and while they don’t see all the things I do, they are rooting for me always. My older son has helped me with some advertising and visual components, and both of my boys have helped me with music selection.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @michelle_thompson_ulerich

Image Credits

Rick C, Elyse Mertz, Alice Chacon, Sam Aslanian, Ballet Zaida, Effy Grey