Image credit: Children of the Revolution

Founding Artistic Director and Choreographer, Austinmer Dance Theatre

Michelle Forte is the driving force behind the Illawarra’s only developmental youth dance company, Austinmer Dance Theatre. Her passion for dance and youth development has propelled this award- winning company from strength to strength over the past 10 years. With the continued support of her amazing team she is excited to see what the future holds for contemporary dance in Australia.

Michelle’s teaching career started when she was 18 with her long-term teacher and mentor Priscilla Kurtz. She taught Classical Ballet and Jazz, expanding into Contemporary and finding her passion for choreography. In 1993, Michelle completed the RAD Teaching Diploma under the guidance of Patricia Saill and Valma Briggs.

Over her 20+ years teaching career, Michelle has been fortunate enough to work at several prominent Sydney studios including the Saill Academy of Dancing, Deidre Bronner School of Ballet, Wendy Gibbs School of Ballet, Illawong Dance Studios, and Academy Ballet with Nicholina Kuner. The field of Dance Medicine is another passion of Michelle’s and she has been an active member of IADMS (International Association of Dance Medicine & Science) since 2004.

In 2005, Michelle organised an independent study tour of prominent schools and companies throughout Europe. This is where she met her now good friend, Maurice Causey of the Netherlands Dance Theatre Studios (he was Ballet Master at the time). Maurice later came to Australia to work exclusively with Michelle's students. Michelle has always been passionate about starting her own youth company, and in 2011 she finally saw her dream come to life with the Austinmer Dance Theatre.

Visit the Austinmer Dance Theatre website for more information.