MOCEAN offers Dance/Movement, Creative Writing, Arts and Crafts, and Themed Play classes for…

• Schools
• Birthday Parties
• Summer Camps
• other Special Events

…for children, and adults, of all ages — and groups of all sizes!

Michelle Hanley began studying dance at the Newport School of Ballet at age 19 in Newport, Oregon. She went on to minor in Dance at the University of Oregon, specializing in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Improvisation, and African Dance. Michelle auditioned for and was accepted into the University’s African Dance Troupe, performing at schools and community centers around Eugene from 1995-1998.

Michelle continued her dance education after college at the Stites Performing Arts Center in Portland, Oregon, receiving top-notch training from world-renowned instructors in Jazz, Modern, and Ballet. In 2000 Michelle was hired on as a Creative Movement teacher for children ages 3-12. The Performing Arts Center also gave Michelle an outlet for artistic expression through choreographing dance pieces for her students, performing as part of Modern, Jazz, and Hip-Hop ensembles, and working along-side the studio owner, directing shows and designing costumes.

Michelle’s enthusiasm and talent for working with children and sharing her love of dance, led to her career development at a variety of Dance Institutions around Portland including teaching Ballet, Tap, and Hip-Hop to kids age 2-18 with KinderDance International; Ballet, Hip-Hop and Stretch to teens and adults at the East Portland Community Center; and Jazz and Hip-Hop to college students at the Mt. Hood Community College.

Michelle moved to Los Angeles in 2003 and launched her company, MOCEAN, in 2005 as a way to develop and nurture the arts in young children throughout the community. In 2010, she spent 5 months dancing her way through South America where she studied Salsa in Peru, Tango in Argentina, and Capoeira in Brazil. She was also accepted to work two separate volunteer programs, teaching English and Dance to homeless youth in Cusco, Peru and Art and Dance at an International Volunteer-Based School in Capim Grosso, Brazil (www.aec-tea.org). 

Michelle continues to further her Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and now Pilates, training at local studios, and incorporates her passion of teaching and dance at local studios and various after-school enrichment programs (see SCHEDULE page).