Internationally known choreographer Michele Burton brings a sense of style and grace to the dance floor. Students benefit from the modest attention to styling and technique she incorporates into each lesson. With a quiet, caring personality, Michele seeks to provide a positive experience for all who meet and dance with her.
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 135 dances, of which 74 have been co-choreographed. Their first published stepsheet on CopperKnob is Let's Do Lunch from October 2007, with their most recent stepsheet of STRAIT Down In MIA in June 2024.
Additionally, Michele Burton had a CopperKnob no.1 dance in Feburary 2021 with Country in 3 (CBA 2021).
