Michele Hulse Pearson | Advisor, Instructor

Michele Hulse Pearson trained in Los Angeles with Elisabeth Baird, Margaret Graham Hills, and Stanley Holden. Michele also trained at Pacific Northwest Ballet and was given a full scholarship under the direction of Melissa Hayden. Michele later performed as a soloist with Tulsa Ballet, Colorado Ballet, and Santa Barbara Ballet Theatre. She has performed in Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Coppelia, Gaîté Parisienne, and many other classical and contemporary works, including Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco staged by Victoria Simon. She has also worked with Arthur Mitchell, Frederick Franklin, Roman Jasinski, and numerous other choreographers. From 1991 to 2006, Michele was Principal Owner of the Santa Barbara Ballet Center and Co-Artistic Director of the Santa Barbara Festival Ballet. Michele received a Teaching Certificate from The Royal Academy of Dance in 1994, and in 2009 was appointed to the Panel of Examiners for The Royal Academy of Dance. She travels each year worldwide on behalf of the RAD and has conducted Examinations in England, Spain, Brazil, Hong Kong, Thailand, Canada, and throughout the United States of America. In addition to Examining, Michele is now freelance and guest teaching. She resides in Santa Barbara, California.