Michelle’s love for dance started at the age of six when she began participation in ballet and tap classes. She became interested in bellydance when her mother enrolled in a bellydance class in the 70's–and with her background in anthropology, the study of ethnic dance seemed to be a natural progression. Michelle has studied the art of bellydance for six years including Salimpour technique, various forms of Tribal Bellydance, and Egyptian Cabaret. She has also supplemented her knowledge of dance and movement by taking Bharata Natyam and yoga classes.
After years of intensive study of different forms of bellydance and a year-and-a-half of assisting her former dance partner Tashar's class, Michelle started teaching Tribal Fusion classes in Austin, Texas. One of her favorite venues of performance is at tattoo conventions, where she developed her signature style of incorporating the glamour, poses, and facial expressions of the pinup girls of the 40’s and 50’s into her Tribal Fusion style. She can be contacted at info@michellebellydance.com.