We were lucky to catch up with Brady Michael recently and have shared our conversation below.

Brady, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I’ve always been a firm believer in the fact that when we are uncomfortable, we grow the most. Since I was a teenager, I have always gone for and created projects that seemed a little illogical or made me the slightest bit nervous, because I knew that regardless of the outcome, I would learn something from it. I think the biggest story of a risk I’ve taken that I could offer would be my first full-length show in 2019. I was sixteen-years-old and living about 90 minutes south of Atlanta. I had lots of choreographic material living in my brain that I wanted to share with the community but felt as if there was not an outlet for that within the competitive dance realm. I enlisted the help of three close friends and went about creating my own full-length show, completely separate from any studio or competition aspect of the dance industry. I knew that presenting a show in Macon, GA would not provide the results I longed for, so I chose to hire dancers and present the show in Atlanta. This proved to be tricky as I had just obtained a drivers license a few months prior and was not working a steady job. I did not care about the hardships, because I knew that if I continued pursuing what I was passionate about, it would happen. In November of 2019, I presented “the one” to a sold-out audience in Atlanta. Many reputable studio owners and directors came to see this show, and it opened up the doors for me to begin working as a freelance dance teacher and choreographer in Atlanta from there. So, I would say it was a risk well-taken!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

For those who don’t know me, my name is Brady Michael. I’m a creative currently based in Atlanta, more specifically dance and choreography. I am the creator and director of RISK Contemporary Dance Company, based here in Atlanta. Through RISK, I am able to strengthen relationships among artists, teach classes open to the public, create full-length performances that are performed to the Atlanta community, and provide job opportunities for contemporary artists who may not have the access in such a strong hip-hop hub that is Atlanta.

I am a weekly contemporary instructor for Xcel Studios, which is an outlet for working professionals in the dance industry to take class and train. I also provide weekly classes and choreography for notable competition studios, CK DanceWorks and Duet Dance Academy. Through working with various competition studios, I have obtained 24 Best Choreography Awards, 3 Industry Dance Awards Best Performance nominations, and was nominated for “2023 Choreography of the Year” via PNDC.

My work has often been described as challenging, athletic, artistic, and human. I pride myself in creating a safe space for artists to explore their artistry while simultaneously pushing them to be the best versions of themselves in the most loving way.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

This is such a relevant question – “In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and an thriving creative ecosystem?” I think the world has become super artistic, which is such a beautiful thing to be a witness to. I would love for society to lean more into the uncomfortable when it comes to art. Instead of shying away from the art that someone thinks is not “for them,” I would encourage our community to go out and explore the artistic opportunities around us. Go see the show that you think is going to be “weird,” listen to the music that you think is “too emotional,” buy the tee-shirt that you think is “too controversial” to wear out. The more that we, as a community, can commit to the consumption of art, we will find our minds will be expanded. Simultaneously, it will support the creatives behind this art and will further encourage their work to continue.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is when I am able to affect somebody with my work. The accolades and awards are definitely fulfilling, but I have found that I am much more interested in hearing how my work made someone feel. I always want for my work to open up the door for further conversation – what did that mean? Where did you draw from to create that? These are questions that I love talking with people about more than any award in the world. To know that my work made someone feel relief, joy, relatability, and other emotions they may have help internally had they not seen my work is definitely the most reward aspect of being an artist, and it is one of the main reasons why I do what I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: @_BradyMichael
• Other: Choreography Portfolio Instagram: @BradyMichaelChoreo Company Instagram: @RISKdanceATL