Goodbye from Michelle!

7/23/2010
Dear New York City Dance Community,

It is with great sadness that I step down from my post as Director of Dance/NYC. It has been seven years since coming to New York from California and almost four years since I first stepped foot in the Dance/NYC offices hoping Bob Yesselman would give me the opportunity to be involved with this incredible organization. It has been nothing short of amazing to work with and support the most inspirational, diverse, unique and talented dance community in the world. I could not have imagined how blessed and humbled I would be working day in and out with all of you, it has been a once in a lifetime opportunity and I thank you all for allowing me to be a part of your amazing community for the past seven years.

When I think about my time here I will most fondly remember so many things, but my most cherished projects would have to include the Youth Advisory Committee, going three years strong now, a testament to the future of the dance field. Launching of the new Dance/NYC website as the online home for the dance community. Bringing the Bessie’s to the Dance/NYC family, and lastly diversifying our constituency to include not just ballet and modern companies but ethnic, world dance and our commercial dance partners.

As I make my new life in Los Angeles, I have no doubt dance will remain a part of it. I’m not exactly sure yet in what way or how I will remain involved, dance never leaves you, once a dancer always a dancer! I do expect to visit New York frequently as my daughter will be remaining in the city. As I have been saying for a while now, I am only an email, facebook, or twitter away. I look forward to supporting the new leadership at Dance/NYC who will be named very shortly and feel proud that I am leaving a sound, strong, stable institution to the next Director who can carry it forward into its next chapter with confidence.

I will miss you!

Be Well,
Michelle N. Burkhart
dancinlawyer@gmail.com