Michelle Irene Sipes
michelleirenesipes@gmail.com
EDUCATION
2020 Master of Fine Arts, Dance, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
2011 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Dance, Belhaven University, Jackson, MS
2007 High School Diploma, A&M Consolidated High School, College Station, TX
TEACHING/MASTERCLASSES/WORKSHOPS
2017–2020 Ohio State University, Department of Dance, Columbus, OH
Graduate Teaching Associate
Lead Instructor
Arts Management and Administration (SP 2020)
Ballet 2 (SP 2019, SP 2020)
Ballet 3 (SP 2019, SP 2020)
Partnering Methods (AU 2019)
Contemporary 2 (AU 2018)
Teaching Assistant
Ratner Award Publication Writing Course (SU 2019, AU 2019)
Majors-level Contemporary Movement Practice (SP 2020)
Guest Lecture Courses
Freshmen BFA Research Seminar (SP 2020)
Majors-level Ballet (AU 2019)
Majors Group Forms Composition (SP 2019)
Senior BFA Research Seminar (AU 2018, AU 2019)
Contemporary 3 (SP 2019)
Minors Dance Composition (SP 2018)
Ballet 2 (SP 2018)
Ballet 3 (SP 2018)
2020 University of Maryland, Baltimore, Dance Department, Baltimore, MD
Guest Lecturer: Online Zoom Workshop, Grants and Fundraising for Artists
2019 Ohio State University, Art Scholars Program, Columbus, OH
Guest Lecturer: Cross-Sector Collaboration Practices and Methods
2019 Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus, OH
Consultant and Workshop Leader: Effective Communication Practices in a Diverse Work Economy
2018 Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus, OH
Workshop Leader: Community Engagement Through Movement
2018 Ohio State University, Department of Dance, Columbus, OH
Workshop Leader: Life as a Professional Artist: Funding
2018 Ohio State University, Department of Dance, Columbus, OH
Workshop Leader: Grant and Proposal Writing
2018 Ohio State University, Department of Dance, Columbus, OH
Workshop Leader: Grant Writing for Graduate Students
2012–2017 Inlet Dance Theatre, Cleveland, OH
Company Instructor : Erick Hawkins Technique, Pilobolean Weight-Sharing, Improvisation, Composition
2014–2017 Revolutions Dance Academy, Broadview Heights, OH
Lead Instructor
2016 OhioDance Festival, Columbus, OH
Workshop Co-Leader, Professional Practices with Interactive Technology
2014–2015 The Movement Factory, Lakewood, OH
Instructor
2013–2014 The Music Settlement, Cleveland, OH
Instructor
2013–2016 Ad Deum Dance Company Summer Intensive, Houston, TX
Co-Instructor
2008 Project Dance, New York, NY
Workshop Leader: Contemporary Composition
2005–2007 Suzanne’s School of Dance, College Station, TX
Instructor
ARTIST RESIDENCIES
2019–2020 Wexner Center for the Arts, Pages, Columbus, OH
- Designed arts-integrated curriculum for 250+ students and 9 classroom teachers in 7 public schools across central Ohio
- Coached classroom teachers in innovative pedagogical methods to build critical thinking skills in students
- Engaged in in-school and post-school visual, performing, and film arts activities with students from diverse backgrounds central
2019 Wexner Center for the Arts, WorldView, Columbus, OH
- Collaborated with local artist April Sunami to build two half-day movement and art-making workshops for 291 middle and high school students
- Led students through movement workshops to discuss creative processes
2017 Newton D. Baker School of Art, Columbus, OH
- Led 200 K-8 students in dance and creative movement classes during in-class school sessions
2015 Dance Cleveland, Read to Learn, Dance to Move Program, Cleveland, OH
- Led 250 K-3 students from 6 schools in the Cleveland Public School System through creative movement classes in accordance with Ohio state mandated reading curriculums and standards
PUBLICATIONS/PANELS
2020 Risk is a Relative Term, Wexner Center for the Arts and the Ohio State University https://wexarts.org/read-watch-listen/qa-netta-yerushalmy-paramodernities
“OtherEd”
“That Rollercoaster Feeling”
“Embodied Dismantling”
2020 Wednesdays at the Wex: Artists in Education Programs, Wexner Center for the Arts
2020 Q&A: Netta Yerushalmy on Paramodernities, Wexner Center for the Arts, https://wexarts.org/read-watch-listen/qa-netta-yerushalmy-paramodernities
ARTS MANAGEMENT/ADMINISTRATION
2020–April 2022 Tennessee Arts Commission, Nashville, TN
Program Director, Arts Learning Specialist
- Oversee all pre- and post-award activities forthe Student Ticket Subsidy grant program, averaging 250+ discrete programs anda budget of $400K+ annually
- Coordinate and implement the TN Poetry OutLoud statewide competition including budget management, NEA reporting, talentrecruitment, and all event performers/artists including contracts, rider andproduction terms, travel, event scripts, program/copy edits, itineraries,payments, and related tasks
- Manage, update and distribute the TN TeachingArtist Roster which includes 160+ artists; recruit diverse professional teachingartists and arts organizations; maintain Roster website profiles and internalrecords upkeep; organize statewide communication efforts for Roster artists,schools, and organizations
- Analyze and rebuild database systems andrecord keeping strategies for effective and sustainable growth
- Deliver top-tier customer service care with acalm demeanor in fast-paced, problem-solving scenarios
2017–2020 Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus, OH
Graduate Associate, Grant Writer and Prospect Manager
- Managed annual grant and program proposal activities
- Drafted, assessed, and submitted high-quality proposals for grants, partnerships, and sponsorships
- Prepared, updated, and assembled over 50 grant project budgets and reports annually
- Collaborated with program directors and staff on program development and implementation strategies
- Furthered cross-sector relationships with funders and community leaders for continued program support
- Supervised and coached all departmental team members in grant processes and administration
- Utilized database management systems to track, maintain, and strengthen grant program data
- Researched relevant funding announcements from state and federal agencies, and private foundations
2019 Ohio State University Department of Dance, Columbus, OH
Graduate Associate,External Relations Coordinator
- Managed student workers during special events
- Drafted and uploaded copy for blog posts and social media platforms
- Maintained internal marketing displays
2014–2017 Inlet Dance Theatre, Cleveland, OH
Artist Liaison, Cleveland Foundation’sCreative Fusion Grant Program
- Planned, organized, and managed artists’ travel, lodging, finances, educational programming schedules, and community engagement
- Documented artistic processes and associated finances for final grant reports
- Assisted with culminating residency performances with local galleries
2014–2017 Revolutions Dance Academy, Broadview Heights, OH
Administrative Assistant to Artistic Director
- Managed calendar, email, and travel accommodations
- Solicited new clients and students for the academy
- Maintained tuition payment records
2012 Dancing Wheels Company, Special Projects Intern, Cleveland, OH
- Researched information on collegiate dance departments across the United States
- Collated and organized data into a contact report for garnering new students into school
2012 Production Manager Assistant, Tennis Channel, Australian Open, Melbourne, Australia
2011 Production Assistant, ESPN, US Open, New York, NY
2011–2012 Production Assistant, CBS Radio, New York, NY
2010 Stage Manager/Lighting Designer, International Ballet Competition, Jackson, MS
2010 Stage Manager/Lighting Designer, PHILADANCO! Dance Company, Jackson, MS
2010 Stage Manager, Belhaven University, Senior Project Showcase, Jackson, MS
2009 Lighting Designer and Stage Manager, Jackson Community Concert, Jackson, MS
2008 Lighting Designer and Stage Manager, Storling Dance Theatre, Jackson, MS
2007 Administrative Intern, Ad Deum Dance Company, Houston, TX
CHOREOGRAPHY
2020 Split, solo, Columbus, OH
2020 Sensing Pulses, solo, Columbus, OH
2019 between the body being, MFA thesis project, Urban Arts Space, Columbus, OH
2019 perspect(acle)ive, autoethnographic solo, Columbus, OH
2018 A Piece of the Pie, autoethnographic solo, Columbus, OH
2018 Unrest, partnering duet, Columbus, OH
2016 What Do You Do With an Idea?, Collaboration with Bill Wade and cast, Cleveland, OH
2016 My Body is Our Body, Collaboration with Bill Wade and cast, Cleveland, OH
2015 Gimme Dat Beat, Cain Park, Cleveland, OH
2015 Awaken, Collaboration with Bill Wade and cast, Cleveland, OH
2013 Fire, Collaborated with Bill Wade and cast, Cleveland, OH
2013 Angels Unaware, Collaboration with Bill Wade and cast, Cleveland, OH
2013 Air, Collaborated with Bill Wade and cast, Cleveland, OH
2011 From Me to You, Senior Thesis Project, Jackson, MS
2009 And We Wait, Duet, New York City, NY
2007 Job, trio, Atlanta, GA
SELECTED PERFORMANCE
2018– Michelle Irene Sipes, Choreographer
- Split, Columbus, OH
- Sensing Pulses, Columbus, OH
- DEMO, Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus, OH
- between the body being and being watched, Columbus, OH
- Aside, Theorist Fest, Austin, TX
A Piece of the Pie, Ohio StateUniversity, Columbus, OH
- Unrest, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
2019 Kathryn Nusa Logan, Choreographer
- Goes and Goes, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
2017–2018 Kat Sauma, Choreographer
- deviant forms, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
- Total Eclipse, Columbus, OH
2012–2017 Inlet Dance Theatre, Bill Wade, Artistic Director
- Ascension, Cleveland Public Theatre
- Parade the Circle, Cleveland Museum of Art
- Mermaid, Cleveland Playhouse, Cleveland, OH
- Building CLE, Let Go, Sackcloth and Ashes, Cleveland Public Theatre, Cleveland, OH
- Ascension, War Effort Eves, BALListic, Newton D. Baker, Cleveland, OH
- Among the Darkest Shadows, Lead role, East Lansing
- Among the Darkest Shadows, Lead role, Des Moines, IA
- Centennial Celebration, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
- (3) Women, Cleveland Dance Fest, Cleveland, OH
- What Do You Do With an Idea?, Ratner School, Cleveland, OH
- Hotu Matua, (3) Women, Fire, Air, War Effort Eves, The Grove Amphitheater, Mayfield Village, OH
- BALListic, Water, Air, Fire, Lincoln Park, Cleveland, OH
- Air, Cain Park, Cleveland, OH
- Getting to Zero: A Survivor’s Tale, Houston, TX
- Ascension, Centennial Gala, Cleveland Playhouse, Cleveland, OH
- Parade the Circle, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
- My Body is Our Body, SPACES Gallery, Cleveland, OH
- 10, Among the Darkest Shadows, What Do You Do With an Idea, Dream of
- Sleeping, Birds in a Field, Cleveland Public Theatre, Cleveland, OH
- 10 Re-imagined, OhioDance Festival and Conference, Columbus, OH
- What Do You Do With an Idea? Playhouse Square, Cleveland, OH
- 10 Re-imagined, Playhouse Square, Cleveland, OH
- Create, Hotu Matua, (3) Women, Underwater World, Water, The Grove Amphitheatre, Mayfield Village, OH
- Create, Hotu Matua, (3) Women, Underwater World, Water, Lincoln Park, Cleveland, OH
- Create, Underwater World, Cain Park, Cleveland, OH
- 10, Four Elements: Earth, Houston, TX
- Air, Water, BALListic, Cincinnati, OH
- Awakening, 10 Re-imagined, Fire, Water, Air, Cleveland Public Theatre, Cleveland, OH
- Snow, War Effort Eves, Air, Ascension, Metro Health Hospital, Cleveland, OH
- Birds in a Field, International Performing Arts for Youth Conference, Philadelphia, PA
- Lexus Promotion, Playhouse Square, Cleveland, OH
- War Effort Eves, 10, Memoriate, Ascension, Lincoln Park, Cleveland, OH
- Ascension, Summer Arts Series, Cain Park, Cleveland, OH
- Hotu Matua, BALListic, Lima, OH
- Nature Displays, Natural History Museum, Cleveland, OH
- Snow, Parma Library, Parma, OH
- B’roke, Hotu Matua, BALListic, Ratner School, Cleveland, OH
- Connecting, Playhouse Square, Cleveland, OH
- B’roke, Cain Park, Cleveland, OH
- Parade the Circle, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
- Hotu Matua, (3) Women, Houston, TX
- BALListic, Let Go, Water, Air, Cleveland Public Theatre, Cleveland, OH
- BALListic, Ascension, Heywood Elementary, Troy, OH
- BALListic, Hotu Matua, Cincinnati, OH
- Hotu Matua, BALListic, Cleveland, OH
- Easter Island Memoirs, Philadelphia, PA
- Lava, Playhouse Square, Cleveland, OH
- Easter Island Memoirs, Chakra, Playhouse Square, Cleveland, OH
- Dream of Sleeping, Cleveland Public Theatre, Cleveland, OH
- Hotu Matua, Birds in a Field, Dream of Sleeping, Columbus State Capitol Building, Columbus, OH
- Parade the Circle, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
- In Not Of, Cleveland Public Theatre, Cleveland, OH
2014 Faye and Joan Hargate, Artistic Directors, Cleveland, OH
- She’s Wearing White, 24-performance run, Cleveland Public Theatre, Cleveland, OH
2007–2011 Belhaven University Department of Dance, Jackson, MS
- And We Wait, Michelle Irene Sipes, New York City, NY
- Cut Off, Stephen Wynne, Jackson, MS
- Suite Tea, Laura Morton, Jackson, MS
- Swallowed Up, Stephen Wynne, Jackson, MS
- I Know Your Secret Thoughts, Dorrell Martin, Jackson, MS
- Chosen, Caleb Mitchell, Atlanta, GA
- Chosen, Caleb Mitchell, Jackson, MS
- Burning Bush, Kathleen Norberg Schuler, Jackson, MS
- Traffick, Stephen Wynne, Akron, OH
- Imaginez le Change, Brittany Nunes, Jackson, MS
- Who Am I?, Kathleen Norberg, Jackson, MS
- Parting Water, Erin Rockwell, Jackson, MS
- Job, Michelle Irene Sipes, Atlanta, GA
- Water, Kathleen Norberg, New York City, NY
2007 Electroacoustic Sculptures-Germany, Benoit Maubrey, Artistic Director Audio Ballerinas, Ingenuity Festival, Cleveland, OH
DANCE FILM
2020 Split, Columbus, OH
2019 I Grasp the Unseen Side as Present, Columbus, OH
2018 palette, Columbus, OH
2018 DIVIDED, Columbus, OH
PRESENTATIONS/RESEARCH
2020 Ohio State University Dept. of Dance, Columbus, OH
MFA Thesis Research Presentation: Ethical Research Practices and Processes
2018– Ohio State University Dept. of Dance, Columbus, OH
Oral History and Dance Preservation Project
- CapturingAlison Chase’s major artistic contributions to the dance field
Archival and Oral History Research
- July 2019 New York PublicLibrary: Jerome Robbins Division Archive, New York City, NY
- October 2018 Dartmouth College, Rauner Special Collections Library, Hanover, NH
- July 2018 Alison Becker Chase’s personal collection, Brooksville, ME
2018 Ohio State University Dept. of Dance, Columbus, OH
Research Presentation
- Lecture presentation for OSU Dance Dept. Prospective Student Day
- Presented on current oral history and dance preservation project with Alison Becker Chase
GRANTS/AWARDS
2019 Nomination for Graduate AssociateTeaching Award
2019; 2018 Dance Preservation Fund ($2,800)
2019 Alumni Grants for GraduateResearch and Scholarship ($5,000)
2019; 2018 Ohio State University Arts and HumanitiesSmall Research Grant ($1,000)
2018 Ohio State University Dept. ofDance Semester Funding Initiative ($300)
2018 Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
2018 Semi-finalist, Nikon StorytellersScholarship
2009 Bezalel Award, Great Artistic Achievement, Belhaven University
2007–2011 Belhaven University Dept. of Dance Scholarship
MEMBERSHIPS
2021– Tennessee Association for Dance
2018– Dance Studies Association
2018– National Dance Education Organization
DANCE ANDS ARTS TRAINING
2021 Lifetime Arts, Creative Aging Teaching Artist Training
- Trained on program development and best, culturally-responsive practices in working with older adults
2017– Ohio State University Department of Dance, Columbus, OH
- Contemporary: Eddie Taketa, Ann Sofie Clemmensen, Susan Van Pelt Petry
- Ballet: Karen Eliot, Kathryn Logan
- Bartenieff Fundamentals: Kathryn Logan
- Yoga: Kathryn Logan
- Pilates: Laura Neese
2012–2017 Inlet Dance Theatre, Cleveland, OH
- Pilobolean Weight Sharing: Bill Wade, Joshua Brown, Elizabeth Pollert
- Erick Hawkins Technique: Bill Wade, Dominic Moore-Dunson, Elizabeth Pollert, Joshua Brown
2001–2016 Ad Deum Dance Company Summer Intensive, Houston, TX
- Steve Rooks, Cheryl Cutlip, Randall Flinn, Vincent Hardy, Durell Comedy, Bill Wade, Laura Morton, Cynthia Newland
2011–2012 Peridance Capezio Center, New York, NY
- Gaga: Danielle Agami
- Limón: Melissa Brading
2007–2011 Belhaven University, Jackson, MS
- Ballet: Laura Morton, Caleb Mitchell, Britta Wynne, Ravenna Tucker, Betsy McMillan
- Modern: Stephen Wynne, Britta Wynne, Emily Wright-Henderson, Erin Rockwell, Cynthia Newland
- Improvisation: Cynthia Newland, Stephen Wynne
- Composition: Stephen Wynne, Betsy McMillan
2011 American Dance Festival Winter Intensive, New York, NY
- Gerri Houlihan, Jesse Zaritt, Elisa Clark
2005; 2007 Inlet Dance Theatre, Trainee and Apprentice Program, Cleveland, OH
2004 Ballet Magnificat! Summer Intensive, Jackson, MS
1997–2006 Suzanne’s School of Dance, College Station, TX
- Techniques: Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary