For the last 15 years Michael has traveled and taught throughout the United States, Canada, England, France, Australia, Japan and Korea. Some of his dances that came to be well known are, Black Dresses, What’s Your Name, Hey Bruce, Doors of Life, Rain Against My Window, etc.
2010 saw the return of Jo Thompson Szymanski to the dance scene and with that Michael has a new found energy. “We all have that one person who can truly inspire us, and Jo is that kind of person for me. Being able to work with Jo (instructing for the Dancing for the Dream seminars and other events) makes my job such a great learning experience.” As Jo takes her journey in 2011 to heal from her stem cell transplant Michael feels a strong responsibility to keep that energy going forward.
Michael comes from a show biz family. His father was a pianist and made a wonderful career playing the music he loved. His mother was a dancer and singer before the “kids” came along and put it aside to keep the home secure and nurturing. Michael’s father and mother met during the heyday of Broadway. Something rubbed off from his parents and we are glad he found the venue of line dance to spread his fun.
2011 will be the busiest year yet for Michael and his partner Michele Burton. “We are on the road a lot this year and love all the connections we have with people around the world. Now if the airlines and ‘mother nature’ will just cooperate getting us to the events that would be a plus. We have learned to expect the unexpected”.
Michael lives in Corning, California with Michele Burton and their cat Twinkle Toes (-_-).
Michael Barr has choreographed 153 dances, of which 69 have been co-choreographed. Their first published stepsheet on CopperKnob is Last Days Of Disco from October 2007, with their most recent stepsheet of Black Angel in May 2024.
32 Compte 4 Mur Intermediate Musique: Ride or Die (feat. Foster the People) - The Knocks : (CD: New York Narcotic)
64 Compte 4 Mur High Intermediate Musique: I Am - Leona Lewis : (Album: I Am)
32 Compte 4 Mur Improver Musique: Can't Sleep Love - Pentatonix : (Album: Pentatonix or Delux Version - 2:53)
32 Compte 4 Mur Intermediate Musique: Give It to Me Right - Melanie Fiona : (CD: The Bridge)
64 Compte 2 Mur Intermediate Musique: Spooky - Classics IV
64 Compte 2 Mur Improver Musique: Take These Chains from My Heart - Lee Roy Parnell
32 Compte 4 Mur Intermediate Musique: I Want It That Way - Backstreet Boys
32 Compte 4 Mur Intermediate Musique: I Feel a Sin Comin' On - Pistol Annies : (CD: Annie Up)
48 Compte 2 Mur Improver Musique: Juke Joint Jumpin' - Barbara Carr
32 Compte 4 Mur Beginner Musique: That Don't Impress Me Much - Shania Twain
64 Compte 2 Mur Improver Musique: Soul Man - Sam & Dave
32 Compte 4 Mur Intermediate / Advanced NC rhythm Musique: New York to California - Mat Kearney : (CD: City of Black & White)
48 Compte 4 Mur Intermediate - Hustle rhythm Musique: Blackout - Breathe Carolina : (CD: Hell Is What You Make It - 3:30)
32 Compte 4 Mur Improver Musique: Mad Love - Rick Tippe
64 Compte 2 Mur Intermediate / Advanced Musique: Valentino - Diane Birch : (CD: Bible Belt)
48 Compte 4 Mur Intermediate Musique: I Got You - Thompson Square
32 Compte 2 Mur Intermediate Musique: I Like It, I Love It - Tim McGraw
60 Compte 2 Mur Intermediate Musique: Sunset Red and Pale Moonlight - Pam Tillis
64 Compte 2 Mur Intermediate Musique: Act Right - Blue Harlem : (CD: Jump Jack Jump)
64 Compte 1 Mur Improver Musique: Boogie Till The Cows Come Home - Roger Brown & Swing City