Faculty (Teachers' Bios)

Michelle Hammond

(Jazz, Hip-Hop)

Michelle found her love for ballet and top in Louisville, KY at the age of 6. She expanded to take classes in jazz and modern, and then later included hip-hop in her schedule. Upon her move to Baton Rouge, Louisiana she continued to study modern and advanced jazz on a daily basis, and soon after began teaching jazz at Tari's School of Dance. Michelle joined Tari's college level dance company, where they placed in various competitions including Joe Tremaine Dance Convention (New Orleans 1996, 1995), Los Angeles Dance Force Convention (1996), and Los Angeles Underground Convention (1995). Michelle attended a performing arts, college-preparatory high school where her passion for dance and musical theatre grew under the instruction of Sharon Mathews, director of the Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre.

She attended Southern University A&M College and obtained a B.Sc. degree in Physics (May2000). While at Southern University she was member of the Marching Band Dancing Dolls (1996-2000). Michelle later served as captain and choreographer, during which the Dancing Dolls reined as the #1 dance troupe in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Her performances include: "Fiddler on the Roof", "Copelia", "Carousel", " Cinderella", and nationally televised performances such as Bayou Classic (NBC 1996-2000), Heritage Bowl (BET 1996-1999), The Clinton Presidential Inauguration Parade Washington D.C. (2002-2004). While maintaining her position as a physical scientist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology at the age of 25.

Michelle is currently pursuing a M.Sc. degree in Health Physics at Georgetown University. This is Michelle's fourth year with Motion Mania Dance Theatre and she's thankful to Bonnie and the company for rekindling her love for dance and performance. She is also thankful to God for her many blessings, her past instructors, most of all her family and friends who have supported her through it all!!