Michelle Banfield

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Michelle has been in the dance industry for over 40 years by performing, teaching, choreographing, and
adjudicating across Canada and the United States. She is trained in Tap, Jazz and Ballet with Certificates
from B.A.T.D, C.D.T.A and is a founding member of the Performing Arts Educators of Canada (P.A.E.C)
where she also is an accredited instructor. She was influential as a co-creator of the Tap syllabus and
has given extensive training to teachers in the business in many disciplines. Michelle was the co-owner
and director of the Turning Pointe Dance Studio as well as the Tap Director and Exam Director in Tap
and Jazz at Steps Performing Arts Centre at their two locations. Michelle took a sabbatical in 2016 when
her heath started failing. It was discovered that she was in liver failure and needed a transplant.
Michelle was blessed to have a previous dance student come forward and became her live liver donor.
Thanks to this selfless act, Michelle was able to re-start her career in dance and live a healthy active life.
Michelle is also an Educational Assistant and continues to love helping and teaching children of all ages.
She is also known for her versatility and love for teaching Adult classes from beginner to advanced.
Michelle loves her dance family as her own and is proud to be an integral part of the AOD family.