Choreographer Mia Michaels works with local dance talent

Choreographer Mia Michaels works with local dance talent
Choreographer Mia Michaels works with local dance talent
Lexie Hernandez, 8, is pictured with Mia Michaels at Dance Empire of Miami after a master class.

Dance Empire of Miami hosted Emmywinning contemporary dance choreographer Mia Michaels for a special master class on Sept. 25.

Michaels taught two classes — one for 7- to 12-year-old dancers and another for the 13-year-olds and older. Each class was one and a half hours long and introduced an original work by Michaels, who was gracious enough to allow time for pictures afterwards. The dancers, and even many of the parents who were on hand to watch the classes, were in awe of her creativity and her inspiring words throughout her class.

This was quite a treat for the dancers at Dance Empire. Many of them are huge fans of Michaels, 49, who was born and raised in Miami.

“I was so excited to see Mia Michaels because I see her on So You Think You Can Dance all the time. But to actually get to dance for her was a dream come true,” said Lexie Hernandez, 8. Angel Fraser-Logan, artistic director at Dance Empire, was very proud to showcase her dance students to Michaels, who rarely makes studio appearances due to her very busy schedule.

Michaels has a long-standing relationship with Fraser-Logan. Fraser- Logan was trained by Mia Michaels at the Joe Michaels Dance Studio for more than 10 years and was part of Michaels’ first professional dance company, Miami Movement.

Michaels started dancing in the Miami dance studio owned by her parents Joe and Ruth Michaels at age 2, and by 13 was rechoreographing her father’s routines. She melded jazz, hip-hop and punk-pop music video moves with the emotion and expressiveness of modern dance. As she began to travel and explore other choreographing opportunities, Fraser-Logan stepped in to train dancers at the Joe Michaels Dance Studio in the 1990s.

Mia Michaels has transformed dance into inspired and unique works of passion and beauty. This year her brilliant choreography is showcased in the Broadway musical Finding Neverland. She also has served as the ever-popular judge and contributing choreographer for Fox’s award-winning hit TV show So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD). Michaels also directs and choreographs for stage shows, music videos, film and television.

For more information on Dance Empire of Miami and upcoming master classes, visit the website at www.danceempire.com.


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