Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle McCord.
Michelle was born Michelle Becker in Buffalo, NY where she studied ballet at The Empire State Ballet Theatre in Buffalo and had scholarships during the summers at American Ballet Theatre School in NYC. Michelle’s career spans from being a ballerina where she performed with leading ballet companies all over Europe, (as well as being coached at the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow), to being a musical theater star at Theater des Westens Berlin. Michelle starred in Tommy Tune’s “Grand Hotel” with film legend, Leslie Caron as Flaemmchen, where she was voted best actress of the year by the Berliner Zeitung.
Michelle starred in over 30 productions including, “Anything Goes”, “Damn Yankees”, “Cabaret”, “Sweet Charity” and “Follies” with Eartha Kitt to name a few.
Michelle’s credits also include starring in various TV productions in Berlin as well as co-starring in a German romantic comedy, “Tafelspitz”. She performed at the Tribute for Marlene Dietrich upon her passing in Berlin at the Deutsches Theater, alongside the granddaughter of Bertholdt Brecht, Johanna Schall. Billy Wilder and Gregory Peck were guests of honor at the performance. With Theater des Westens, Michelle performed at the Kennedy Center during a German theatre celebration in Washington.
Upon returning to the states, Michelle was head of the Dance Dept. at Northern Kentucky University and a faculty member at College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. After moving to Sarasota, Michelle has taught at The Sarasota Ballet School and at the Sarasota Players Theatre, where she choreographed and directed several shows. With great pride, many of Michelle’s students have gone on to professional careers in New York City, Germany, doing National Tours or performing on Cruise Ships. Michelle is passionate about passing on her knowledge to the next generation. Michelle feels she has put together an incredible faculty of highly dedicated and qualified teachers to make Ovation- School of Musical Theatre “the” school to attend if one is serious about truly learning the craft of performing musical theatre.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My life has had it’s highs and lows as most people have. My determination to achieve my goals has always been one of my strengths but at the same time, it has been the thing that has put me in the situations where I have had to struggle.
We all make choices every day and my choices have always been to pursue that which brings me joy and satisfaction.
My advice is to make a plan (no matter what it is that you are doing) and stick to it!!!! Plan action steps to take to move you along to your goal and set time limits for when you want to accomplish your action steps. One important thing is to be flexible within the way you get to your goal but keep the goal in sight at all times. Imagine how it will be as if you had already accomplished your goal. Feel the joy, it is a wonderful fuel to keep you on track.
I have been incredibly lucky, achieving so many of my life goals and at the age of 58, I am nowhere near done with manifesting my life!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Ovation – School of Musical Theatre – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I have been a performer since the age of 10, I love the stage and all that goes with it. My first love and intense interest was ballet, too was all consuming. Then, at 27, I changed my focus to being a dancer, singer, actress in musical theatre. It was exhilarating to find a new form of expression on stage. After my children were born, I started directing and choreographing as well as teaching. I find such extreme satisfaction in giving my vast knowledge to those who are interested to learn.
Ovation – School of Musical theatre’s main focus is teaching the tools and techniques in acting, singing and dancing to fully master the crafts needed to perform in musical theatre. What sets us apart is that we build the foundation that the performers need to succeed and not just throw them on stage to perform.
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that a lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
Finding a mentor is extremely important and life changing for those aspiring to succeed in whatever field it is that they have chosen. Find the people that are involved in your field, get to know as many people as possible and within these new contacts, you will feel a connection to the right person to be your mentor. There has to be a chemistry and a feeling of trust in the person you choose as your mentor.
Contact Info:
- Address: Michelle Mccord
7501 52nd Ter E
Bradenton, FL 34203 - Website: https://ovation-musicalschool.com
- Phone: 941-932-5765
- Email: michellemccord20@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleMMCC
Image Credit:
fotofinitysrq.com
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