Michelle mazzarella

Dancer, Choreographer and Aerial Coach at the New England Center for Circus Arts

Michelle graduated from Brentwood in 2013, and began her studies at UCLA. While in University, she entertained many interests in an effort to narrow down her scope. Michelle danced, choreographed and directed for multiple student-run companies like ICARUS Contemporary and Foundations Choreography. She joined the Gamma Phi Beta sorority and worked field and courtside for UCLA Athletics’ Game Day Operations as part of the Rally Committee. Michelle also danced and choreographed professionally in the Los Angeles area, with companies like LA Unbound, The CRayProject, and QK Entertainment. She also interned in the Choreography/Creative Department at Clear Talent Group. Michelle graduated in 2017 with two Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and Dance, and a Minor in Education.

Michelle then moved to Traverse City, Michigan to work in Residence Life at Interlochen Arts Academy. On her days off, she taught dance and coached preschool gymnastics locally, and discovered a weekly aerial arts class that she used as a way to stay fit and find a community off campus. That summer, she was awarded a position on the Theatre Faculty at Interlochen Arts Camp as a Musical Theatre Production Choreographer. The next year, a faculty departure at Dance Arts Academy in Traverse City led to her becoming a full-time dance instructor, while also choreographing for the Old Town Playhouse, Company Dance Traverse, and various dance studios and schools across North America, including Brentwood College and Steps Ahead Dance. Her work has appeared on various stages across British Columbia, Los Angeles, New York City, Washington State, Michigan, and Vermont.

What began as a weekly hobby became more enticing to Michelle, so she auditioned on a whim for the three-year ProTrack Program at the New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA), where she is now a second-year student specializing primarily in Aerial Fabric, Invented Apparatus, Cyr Wheel, and Flying Trapeze. She also studies juggling, tumbling, trampoline, partner acrobatics, hand balancing, physical theatre, act creation, and more. In her spare time, Michelle teaches dance across New England, and is an Adjunct Faculty member at The Putney School, a progressive boarding school located in Vermont. She also coaches Aerial Arts for NECCA’s recreational programs, and continues to choreograph at Interlochen. Michelle’s hopes and dreams include performing professionally as an aerialist and dancer, and going into production and choreography for a circus or entertainment company.

Find Michelle on Brentonian Connect.