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 138 dances, of which 76 have been co-choreographed. Their first published stepsheet on CopperKnob is Let's Do Lunch from October 2007, with their most recent stepsheet of Do Ya in Feburary 2025.
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: Country In Me - Lauren Alaina
32 Count 4 Wall Intermediate NC rhythm Music: Good As You - Kane Brown : (CD: Experiment - 3:13)
16 Count 4 Wall - Music: Girl Crush - Little Big Town
32 Count 4 Wall High Beginner - Tango Style Music: The Lipstick On His Collar - Caro Emerald
64 Count 2 Wall High Beginner Music: If the Devil Danced In Empty Pockets - Joe Diffie : (CD: 16 Biggest Hits)
32 Count 4 Wall Improver Music: MIA Down In MIA - George Strait : (CD: Cowboys and Dreamers)
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: Love You Like a Love Song - Selena Gomez & The Scene
64 Count 2 Wall Improver Music: Do Ya (From the Paramount+ Original Series Landman) - Belle Frantz
32 Count 4 Wall Intermediate Music: Spending Every Minute In Love - Neal McCoy
32 Count 2 Wall Beginner Music: Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy - Scooter Lee : (CD: Big Bang Boogie)
64 Count 2 Wall Phrased Improver Music: My Tribe - Blessing Offor
48 Count 2 Wall Improver - Fast Waltz Music: Nothin' on You - Cody Johnson
32 Count 4 Wall Improver Music: Lucky in Love - Ronnie Beard : (CD: Lucky In Love - 3:48)
32 Count 4 Wall High Beginner Music: I Ain't Never - Scooter Lee : (CD: Midnight Hauler)
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: Beach Cowboy - Brian Kelley
48 Count 4 Wall Low Intermediate Music: Big Bang Boogie - Scooter Lee : (CD: Big Bang Boogie)
- Count 1 Wall Intermediate Music: Greased Lightnin' - John Travolta
64 Count 1 Wall Intermediate / Advanced Music: Shake Your Groove Thing - Peaches & Herb
32 Count 2 Wall Beginner Music: Jezabel - Ricky Martin
64 Count 2 Wall Intermediate Tango Style Music: Fools - Diane Birch : (CD: Bible Belt)
