For the past 15 years Michele has traveled and taught throughout the United States, Canada, England, France, Australia, Japan, and Korea. Some of her dances you may recognize are American Pop, Go Greased Lightning, Divisadero Cha, Zenyatta’s Waltz, Covered in Kisses (w/Michael Barr), Rumba Breeze (w/ Michele Perron), etc.
2010 saw the return of Jo Thompson Szymanski to the dance scene, and with that Michele has a new found enthusiasm. “Everyone has a role model and mentor, and Jo is that person for me. Having the opportunity to work with her at Dancing For The Dream seminars, as well as collaborating on new choreography was an excellent learning experience.” As Jo recovers from her recent bone marrow transplant, Michele feels the strong responsibility to continue the professionalism and energy that Jo brings to the dance floor.
Michele grew up in California, where, at the young age of 4 was forced by her mom, Lorraine Kurtela (Hello Dolly) to take tap dance lessons. She practiced behind closed doors, never allowing her parents to watch her! Feeling more comfortable with a softball, field hockey stick, or volleyball in her hands, Michele gravitated to competitive sports in high school and college, pursuing a career as a physical education teacher. Now retired, Michele couldn’t think of anything better to do than share the joy of dancing and teaching.
Michele lives in Corning with her partner, Michael Barr and their dancing kitty, Twinkle Toes.
Michele Burton has choreographed 136 dances, of which 75 have been co-choreographed. Their first published stepsheet on CopperKnob is Let's Do Lunch from October 2007, with their most recent stepsheet of My Tribe in September 2024.
Additionally, Michele Burton had a CopperKnob no.1 dance in Feburary 2021 with Country in 3 (CBA 2021).
Choreographer Stepsheets
32 Count 4 Wall Intermediate Music: I Feel a Sin Comin' On - Pistol Annies : (CD: Annie Up)
32 Count 4 Wall Intermediate/Advanced Music: Just Like A Rodeo - Roger Brown & Swing City
64 Count 2 Wall Intermediate Music: Spooky - Classics IV
48 Count 4 Wall Improver Music: Beat Me Daddy (Eight to the Bar) - Asleep at the Wheel
64 Count 2 Wall Improver Music: Soul Man - Sam & Dave
64 Count 2 Wall Phrased Improver Music: My Tribe - Blessing Offor
32 Count 4 Wall Intermediate Music: Cool N Sweet - Strict
64 Count 2 Wall Intermediate Music: Act Right - Blue Harlem : (CD: Jump Jack Jump)
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: Beach Cowboy - Brian Kelley
64 Count 2 Wall Intermediate / Advanced Music: Valentino - Diane Birch : (CD: Bible Belt)
64 Count 2 Wall High Intermediate Music: On a Cloud (feat. Karma Stewart) - PPP
64 Count 4 Wall Intermediate Music: Cabana Boy - Sara Evans : (CD: Stronger)
32 Count 4 Wall Intermediate Music: Think - Aretha Franklin
64 Count 2 Wall Intermediate Tango Style Music: Fools - Diane Birch : (CD: Bible Belt)
64 Count 2 Wall Intermediate Music: Mama Mia (Radio Edit) - Mayra Veronica
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: Latter Rain - Scooter Lee : (CD: Big Bang Boogie)
32 Count 2 Wall Beginner Music: Mame - Bobby Darin : (CD: Bobby Darin Pure Gold - iTunes)
32 Count 2 Wall Intermediate - WCS Music: Santa Baby - Kellie Pickler
32 Count 2 Wall Intermediate Cha Cha Music: Try Try Try - Nikki Yanofsky
32 Count 4 Wall Intermediate NC rhythm Music: Good As You - Kane Brown : (CD: Experiment - 3:13)
