Home > Faculty > Jazz/A.I. Flexibility and Strengthening > Michèle Assaf

Michèle Assaf

CURRENT CLASSES:

• Mon-Fri 1:00-2:00 pm A.I. Flexibility
  

Internationally renowned director/choreographer Michèle Assaf has worked on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Regional and International Theater projects. Michèle directed and choreographed The Mariah Carey Charmbracelet World Tour. … A quote from Variety.com on Aug. 19, 2003, "...but the fact that she (Mariah) has assembled a well-designed and well-paced show that emphasizes the beauty of her voice is nothing short of remarkable." Other recording artists include: Mick Jagger Solo Tour, Michael Bolton 2002-4 Tour, and Matchbox Twenty. She has directed and choreographed the internationally acclaimed multimedia operas for The Houston Grand Opera; Carmen, Pagliacci and Madame Butterfly, as well as Opera Pacific’s Gala, Opera Odyssey 2001. Other theatrical Projects include: Starmites (Tony Nomination), Bring In The Morning, Scenes From an Execution, Nine Armenians, It's A Bird... It's A Plane... It's Superman, Sweet Charity, Jesus Christ Superstar, Mata Hari, Bring In The Morning, Can Can, Jeanne La Pucelle, Strides, Topper and the 20th anniversary production of Annie at The Goodspeed Opera House w/ Martin Charnin. She just finished directing the Broadway bound musical, The Alchemist and is staging a production of Candide for Opera Pacific. Future projects include direction and choreography for Samson and Delilah, a new production of Aida and Houston Grand Opera’s 50th Anniversary Gala.

One of Michèle's latest ventures is the creation of a production company, Tezoro Productions, LLC, founded in 2003 with Allison Ellner (Owner of Broadway Dance Center). The company's products are dedicated to bringing education to dancers worldwide through instructional DVD's and videos. Michèle directed the first series of four DVD/VHS titles, including a Turns and Turn Combos program as well as the long awaited Active Isolated Flexibility Program. Please visit www.LiveatBDC.com for sample footage and additional information.

Her teaching background is also extensive, including master classes at universities and international schools. She is the Artistic Director of the International Convention in the South of Italy. VIsit www.TezoroProductions.com for more information. Currently she is on faculty at Broadway Dance Center in NYC. Michèle has trained dancers who are currently performing on Broadway, National Tours, commercials, and in film as well as training many teachers and emerging choreographers on the cutting edge of today’s commercial and concert world.

She is varied in her styles choreographically. Technique definitely matters in her class. Michèle is an experienced and giving teacher whose students learn to develop and refine their personal style. Teaching her students to understand their bodies and how they have the control to create any movement asked of them is her forte. She understands the instrument and how it works for each individual. She is passionate about her teaching and tries to dig deep with her students to get to the core of their expression in relation to the given choreography. Come with an open mind and no boundaries.

Class Description

Int Adv JAZZ
From the choreographed warm-up to the adagio, jumps and turns across the floor, to the combination, Ms. Assaf's class emphasizes that moment where jazz, ballet and modern meet to convey strength, flexibility and emotional expression.

One of her most noteworthy accomplishments is her introduction and modification of the Active Isolated Flexibility method developed by Jim and Phil Wharton. In working with the Whartons and with her own expertise and knowledge about the muscles vital to a dancer’s career, Michèle has brought this revolutionary method of achieving flexibility and strength to all dancers.

Open STRETCH: ACTIVE ISOLATED FLEXIBILITY
AI reduces your workload by removing tightness so you can swing your limbs more freely. It transports oxygen to sore muscles and quickly removes toxins from muscles, so recovery is faster. AI works as a deep massage technique because it activates muscle fibers during stretching. The class starts with unlocking the hip and trunk area, the feet, ankles and calves and then we move to the upper body. this class is for any levell of dancer or athlete, as well as anyone recovering from injuries or interested in preventing injuries.

Open STRENGTHENING: ACTIVE ISOLATED STRENGTHENING
This is a class in which we pin point, isolate and strengthen each individual muscle used to perform as a dancer at your highest potential: From feet to ankles, calves, knees, hamstring, quadriceps, hip and trunk, lower-middle-upper back, shoulders, elbows, wrists and neck. You will learn a wealth of information to keep you at peak performance and out of the doctors’ office.