Featured Artist - Michele Hopkins and Tippy Toes School of Dance

Michele Hopkins Dance Artist/Choreographer/ Teacher

Michele Hopkins has been practicing her art as a dance performer, choreographer, teacher and director for the past 25 years. She has studied extensively across Ontario and New York. Her performing repertoire includes a diversity of works from classic to contemporary, traditionally based to independent choreography. Michele has also integrated multidisciplinary arts into her works. And, she has collaborated with artists in other disciplines including photography, film, poetry and visual arts. Michele has engaged the Cambridge community in the art of dance since her arrival here 8 years ago. She has directed and produced numerous highly successful dance performances involving the community at the Cambridge Centre for the Arts and beyond. Ms. Hopkins has performed original choreography at the Mayor's Celebration of the Arts 2003, 2004, 2008, the GCDF 2008 as well as

other local venues and festivals. She introduced Frank Augustyn to the community in 2007 and co-organizes an annual ballet workshop featuring highly acclaimed dance professionals. She has also been awarded a Mayor's Cultural Award (2004), Bernice Adams Award (2008) and Woman of Distinction in the performing arts (2008). Michele was the 2007 Artist in Residence (AIR) at the Cambridge Centre for the Arts. She has been awarded grants from the OAC and Arts Fund. As a member of the ballet committee of the Canadian Dance Teachers Association and CADA, she hopes to continue to encourage and nurture creativity and artistic expression through dance and hopes to pass on her passion and love of dance to her community.

Michele will be both performing and giving a ballet workshop on our Performance Stage.

For a preview of Michele's work, tickets are still available for her upcoming show Swan Lake: Excerpts from Act II.