![]() ![]() From 1997-2002, she was selected to represent Utah in the international touring company: “The Sweethearts and Heartthrobs” sponsored by I Love Dance, Inc. Over the years, Mercedes has attended many national and international competitions and conventions where she was awarded with numerous titles, scholarships and high point accolades–first as a dancer and later on as an instructor/choreographer. Mercedes is also a proud Broadway Theatre Project alumni. Louis, Missouri, where she attended as a Musical Theatre major. Upon graduating, Mercedes was accepted into The Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University in St. Mercedes attended The Waterford School for grades 7-10, and then at age 16, was accepted into the Musical Theatre program at Idyllwild Arts Academy- a prestigious and highly acclaimed performing arts boarding school in Southern California- where she completed her junior and senior years in high school. She spent numerous summers in Los Angeles attending classes at renowned studios such as the Edge Performing Arts Center, The Millennium Dance Complex, The Howard Fine Acting Studio and private voice lessons with vocal coach Seth Riggs. Mercedes has had the opportunity to train under and work with many of the dance greats: Joe Tremaine, Gregory Hines, Ann Reinking, Savion Glover, Doug Caldwell, Jackie Sleight, Marguerite Derricks, Wade Robson, Joe Lanterri, and Mia Michaels to name a few. There she was trained in jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, hip hop, modern and musical theatre, becoming a faculty member at 15 years old and eventually the director/choreographer for the Mini, Junior and Senior companies and competition teams. She began dancing at her mother’s locally owned studio, Tracy’s Dance Academy, at age 2. Michelle’s greatest accomplishment by far is her five children who continue to surprise and amaze her with their talents constantly. She gave her studio to her eldest daughter in 2019 and has been teaching in Massachusetts and Rhode Island since.Mercedes Hale is a fourth generation dancer, dance instructor and choreographer. ![]() She recently became an adjunct faculty member of Boston Arts Academy (Boston's Performing Arts High School). She had been Scituate High School's Varsity Cheerleading Coach for football and basketball since 2010 and Notre Dame Academy's Dance Team Coach. She also choreographs for a variety of theatrical and gymnastics organizations, including Gates Intermediate School, Notre Dame Academy, Boston Arts Academy and Scituate High School Drama and South Shore Stageworks where she was co-owner. ![]() She is member of Dance Masters of America and was recently elected to the DMNE Board of Directors Past President, Past Vice-President and Past Secretary of the Greater Brockton Dance Teachers' Association and served on the Board of Directors of the Dance Teachers' Club of Boston - where, for twelve years, as co-Chairwoman of the Dance Education Training Course, she played a pivotal role in training hundreds of future dance educators throughout New England. Michelle has earned innumerable awards and accolades regionally and nationally for her highly imaginative and supremely entertaining choreography. ![]() Prior to opening the studio she trained at the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts (now "University of the Arts"). She opened the original Dance Carousel in 1992, was owner/director and principle instructor from 1992-2018. Miss Michelle most recently was the owner and principal instructor of Michelle’s Dance Carousel (2018-2019) as well as choreographer for the MDC Ensemble competition team. ![]()
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