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 expressing herself through choreographing dance pieces for her students and performing as part of Modern, Jazz, and Hip-Hop ensembles. She was also given a forum for her own artistic interpretation, 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, lead 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 currently lives in Hollywood and furthers her Jazz and Hip-Hop training at MaDonna Grimmes Dance Fitness Theatre and her Ballet technique at Edge Performing Arts Center. She also continues to incorporate her passion of teaching and dance at the local YMCA and various after-school enrichment programs, instructing kids 3-10 in Ballet, Tap, Hip-Hop, and Creative Movement, as well as Jazz, Hip-Hop, Beginning and Intermediate Ballet to adults of all ages.