The Color of My Storm

June 30, 2016 Omar Ramos

It seems that everywhere Michelle Gibson goes she brings her infectious energy that all who come in her presence can never forget. Michelle's energy and passion are matched by few when it comes to dance.

Choreographer, educator, and performing artist, she received her BFA in Dance from Tulane University and her MFA in Dance from Hollins University/ The American Dance Festival at Duke University.

Her teaching practice and choreographic works range from genres of the African Diaspora, Contemporary / Traditional Modern, Afro Funk, Jazz, and her own New Orleans Second Line Aesthetic.

Cultivating her craft over the past years in an effort to preserve her culture Michelle has been teaching and creating works that are firmly rooted in New Orleans culture and has defined this idea as her own “Second Line Aesthetics ” that she has determined involves both technical and improvised movement, brass music and the embrace of communal ritual.

Sharing her culture aboard Michelle was invited September 2015 to Rennes France teaching her New Orleans Second Aesthetics and Guest Lecture with the Compagnie Engrenage and the festival Le Funk Prend Les Rennes (translated the Funk Takes the Reins).

The festival honored and focused on the brass band culture of New Orleans both music and dance also focusing on Nigerian Afrobeat .

A five year faculty member with American Dance Festival and currently a candidate working towards receiving the Katherine Dunham Technique Certification she has had wonderful opportunities teaching, lecturing, and setting choreography at various intensives, institutions and universities not to mention choreography for several theater companies and live entertainment organizations locally, in the U.S and internationally.

As an freelance artist, New Orleans native, and presently living in Dallas TX Michelle is dedicating her energies, pedagogical practice, and performance based research geared toward cultivating the community and the world aboard.

Contact Michelle Gibson at michellegibsonmfa@gmail.com