Meet Our Team
Michele byrd-Mcphee
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Despite these impressive accomplishments, Michele never formally studied dance, preferring instead to forge her own path. Michele, originally a Philadelphia native, moved to New Jersey at the age of four. It was in New Jersey that Michele began her “dance training,” consisting of careful attention to episodes of the 1980’s television series “Fame,” mixed with occasional classes here and there. Michele continued to dance throughout her childhood and by her high school years was part of every high school dance performance possible. Growing up during the emergence of the Hip-Hop culture; Michele embraced “street dance” and began dancing with local “club” and “house” dancers in area nightclubs. Michele has danced in music videos, battled in the club scene and traveled along as the Hip-Hop dance culture exploded onto stages, in studios, and in theaters. Being one of the few women dancing alongside groups of men, she became increasingly aware of the narrow opportunities for women in Hip-Hop. Her experiences as a woman in Hip-Hop dance were the catalyst for her to create an outlet for female dancers. Michele created a safe space, a neutral zone where the art does not get lost or stifled because of complexities of male/female relationships. Spaces where it is ok to be women as you define it, not as defined by others. Her work celebrates womanhood... embraces being a mother, a wife, a sister, a friend, as well as an artist and how all the things intersect. Michele earned her BS at Temple University and a MS in Nonprofit Arts Mamangement from Drexel University. Now living in the NYC area, Michele most recently celebrated 13-years of presenting Ladies of Hip-Hop Festival. Michele provides organization and artist consulting services; production management services and continues to be an advocate for the Hip-Hop dance community, especially for women. |
