Mia Michaels, Contemporary Dance Choreographer
This lens is part of a series including the choreographers from the Fox Reality Show SYTYCD. I'm a huge dance fan, although I've not studied dance in depth, and I've been wondering for the past five seasons, "Where did these great choreographers come from?" So the purpose of these lenses is to provide a short biography of each choreographer, and to remind you of their work on the show.
Mia Michaels Biography
For a more in depth biography, see links below.
Mia Michaels was born in Coconut Grove, Florida in 1965, to a family of dancers. Her father Joe Michaels taught her jazz, tap and ballet from the age of two. Her sister Dana Michaels taught Mia for several years in contemporary dance. For years she attended summer sessions at Interlochen Center for the Arts and Jacob's Pillow.
Mia Michaels is the choreographer for Celine Dion's "A New Day" show at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and has created routines for a cast of 50 dancers, as well as for Celine Dion. Michaels has worked with artists such as Madonna, Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan and Prince. She is the founder, artistic director and choreographer for the critically acclaimed New York-based dance company RAW and has held faculty positions at the Alvin Ailey Dance Company and the International Dance Festival of Italy.
Mia Michaels' Honors
- NEW this year
2009 Emmy Nomination - So You Think You Can Dance: "Mercy" FOX - 2007 Emmy Winner - So You Think You Can Dance: "Calling You" FOX
- 2004 Emmy Nominee - Celine in Las Vegas: Opening Night Live CBS
- 2003 & 2004 American Choreography Award Nominee
The Choreography of Mia Michaels
Mia Michaels 2008 Reel
curated content from YouTube
Mia Michaels Links
Find out more about one of your favorite SYTYCD Choreographers!
- Mia Michaels' website
- Mia's bio, class information, and a full resume can be found here.
- The Pulse On Tour
- An upcoming project in which Mia collaborates with other choreographers such as Brian Freedman, Wade Robson, and more.
- Mia Michaels on MySpace
- Mia Michaels fansite on MySpace.
- Mia Michaels on Facebook
- Mia Michaels fansite on Facebook.
The Choreographers of "So You Think You Can Dance"
Check out my other lenses featuring the choreographers of SYTYCD
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Tabitha and Napoleon D'Umo, Choreographers, So You Think You Can Dance
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Napoleon and Tabitha D'Umo, also known as Nappytabs, are a husband and wife choreography team who are often credited with developing the new strand of hip-hop dance, known as lyrical hip-hop. Nappytabs have been with So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYC...
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Sonya Tayeh, Choreographer, So You Think You Can Dance
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Sonya Tayeh has been a guest judge and choreographer on "So You Think You Can Dance" (SYTYCD) starting in Season 4. Her funky contemporary routines are exciting and fresh. She is becoming a sure audience favorite. This lens is part of a seri...
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Louis Van Amstel, Choreographer, So You Think You Can Dance
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Louis van Amstel is a ballroom dance champion and professional dancer. He just joined "So You Think You Can Dance" (SYTYCD) as a choreographer in May 2009. Knowing nothing about Louis Van Amstel, my interest was piqued when Osuka, whose specialty is...
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Tyce Diorio, Choreographer, So You Think You Can Dance
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Tyce Diorio has been a choreographer on "So You Think You Can Dance" (SYTYCD) since the first season. He's definitely an audience favorite. He's choreographed broadway, jazz and contemporary routines. On Season 4 and Season 5, his role on the show ha...
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Travis Wall, Choreographer, So You Think You Can Dance
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Travis Wall is best known as Season Two Runner Up on So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD). Recently, however, he was inducted into the special group of choreographers for the show. The beautiful contemporary routine he choreographed received a standin...
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Doriana Sanchez, Choreographer, So You Think You Can Dance
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Doriana Sanchez is not new to the show, "So You Think You Can Dance" (SYTYCD). She has choreographed routines for the show from Season One. She has choreographed some involved and exciting disco dances, which has created a following of fans...
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Dave Scott, Choreographer, So You Think You Can Dance
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Dave Scott has choreographed for "So You Think You Can Dance" (SYTYCD) since Season Three. He has choreographed some hard-hitting hip hop routines. Dave has had no formal dance training. He grew up dancing on the streets and danced his way...
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Stacey Tookey, Choreographer, So You Think You Can Dance
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Season six is Stacey's second season on So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD). She has also choreographed contemporary routines for SYTYCD Canada for seasons one and two. I wonder if Stacey can replace the wonderful routines Mia Michaels has been p...
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Shane Sparks, Choreographer, So You Think You Can Dance
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Shane Sparks was a judge and major contributor for the first three seasons of "So You Think You Can Dance" (SYTYCD). He has choreographed group dances in Seasons 3 and 4. This season, he's choreographed a group dance, and two couples dances. He is a...
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Wade Robson, Choreographer, So You Think You Can Dance
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Wade Robson has been a choreographer on "So You Think You Can Dance" (SYTYCD) from the beginning of the series. He has choreographed a wide variety of dances, two of which won him Emmys for Outstanding Choreography. Wade is definitely one of my favor...
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Mandy Moore, Choreographer, So You Think You Can Dance
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Mandy Moore has been choreographing creative and interesting jazz and contemporary dances on "So You Think You Can Dance" (SYTYCD) since Season Two. She has also appeared as a guest judge during Season Four. Mandy earned an Emmy Nomination in Season...
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Laurieann Gibson, Choreographer, So You Think You Can Dance
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Did you know Laurieann Gibson trained with the Alvin Ailey Dance Company?! Laurieann is new to "So You Think You Can Dance" (SYTYCD). Season 5 was her first season choreographing for the show. She choreographed the top two boys' ro...
Mia's Latest From SYTYCD
Mia Michaels Photos
Celine Dion: "A New Day" Live in Las Vegas
Celine Dion: A New Day - Live in Las Vegas
Amazon Price: $17.98 (as of 12/05/2009)
The performances include the talented gymnasts, dancers, and backup singers who work as a Cirque du Soleil-style ensemble.
Who's Your Favorite?
Please Leave Feedback
How do you like this lens? What do you think of Mia? I welcome all feedback.
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Reply
- jgelien jgelien Oct 23, 2009 @ 12:26 am
- I was so unhappy to hear that Mia was leaving So You Think You can Dance. My favorite pieces have always been the ones that she choreographed. She has a unique vision and will be missed.
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Reply
- Tanya Beal Tanya Beal Oct 21, 2009 @ 2:04 pm
- I am so rediculously sad that Mia will be leaving Do You Think You Can Dance.Honey,
you are so brilliant and I love watching your work.I will continue to follow your path.
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Reply
- Beautiful_GreenBeans Beautiful_GreenBeans Oct 20, 2009 @ 1:53 pm
- love her! Every year you see dancers breaking down after their first choreo session with her-she inspires!
Would love it if you could find some vids of her dancing pre-SYTYCD!
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Reply
- BusyQueen BusyQueen Aug 28, 2009 @ 9:20 am
- Oh, I love Mia and a 5 ***** lens for you! Thanks so much for this topic!
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Reply
- LissaKlar LissaKlar Aug 8, 2009 @ 4:52 pm
- Mia's dances have so much feeling and generate so much emotion. I've forgiven her for what she said to Brandon, even though I really can't believe she said it because it was not in the least objective, but I haven't forgotten that she said it. It still can't take away from her brilliant choreography...and I think she felt bad when she looked back at what she said because she did apologize and tell him that she thought he was great.
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