Today we’d like to introduce you to Brady Michael.
Hi Brady, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began dancing at age six, taking only hiphop classes. At age nine, I wanted to do more and pursued ballet, tap, and jazz. By age 13, I wanted to add more to my class schedule, so I took on lyrical and contemporary. I trained in these genres all throughout my childhood years up until I graduated at age 18. Simultaneously, the studio I was training at became in need of a hiphop teacher, so I took on that role when I was 14 and taught all throughout high school. Teaching was super exciting for me and ultimately led me to have a passion for choreography, as well. I had a lot of material in my brain but did not really know what to do with it. It led me to create a full-length dance show at age 16, use dancers from throughout the Atlanta area, and present it to a sold-out audience in a studio space venue in Atlanta. This only added fuel to the fire regarding my passion for teaching and choreography. I began to really promote my work, and it was well-received among competition studios in the Atlanta area, who began to bring me in to work with their students when I was approximately 16 years old.
Upon graduating high school, I moved to Atlanta and began teaching and choreographing for competition studios full-time. At age 19, I presented my second full-length show to a sold-out audience. I really fell in love with the process of working with so many eager young artists and wanted to create something that centers on those types of connections in a more lengthy way. So, in December 2022, I created RISK Contemporary Dance Company in Atlanta, which strives to strengthen athleticism within artists, build connections among dancers, provide professional opportunities for contemporary artists, and create meaningful performances, involving professional and pre-professional dancers alike. RISK is currently in its second season, and I will be presenting my third full-length show with RISK in January 2024.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road for me. The biggest struggle for me was the fact that I was so eager and hungry at such a young age, and some did not think I was ready to share what was on my mind and in my body. Some studios would not bring me in solely due to the legal fact that I was not 18 years old, but some did not want to amplify a young artist’s voice. To me, it was never about the money aspect of things; I truly just wanted to share what I thought I had to offer, so I found much frustration when I was not offered the opportunities that I desired so badly. However, I was able to sort of avoid these speed bumps by simply creating my own opportunities. When I was not receiving any offers that I wanted, I created my first show, which led to more people seeing my work for what it was and wanting to use me following that show.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My name is Brady Michael, and I’m an artist currently based in Atlanta. I specialize in and am most known for dance and choreography. My work has been described as challenging, authentic, raw, and impactful. My goal when creating anything is to always evoke some sort of emotion in my audience – whether it brings someone joy, makes someone sad, pisses somebody off, I don’t really care as long as the consumer feels some sort of emotional draw to the work.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I have learned along my journey and the life mantra I choose to live by is “change is the only constant.” In my life, both personal and creative, there have been times where I have gotten too comfortable, and then any minor life change throws me for a major loop. I have found that the more I have leaned into life’s changes and tried to embrace it for what it is rather than trying to run away from it, I have grown to appreciate my current state of life more and been more self-aware throughout the process.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bradymichaelchoreo.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/_BradyMichael
