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Michelle S. Ackerman

Maestra Classes Offered

Shows

Michelle S. Ackerman

  • She/Her
  • Biography

    MICHELLE ACKERMAN is a bachelor of arts graduate from Brigham Young University. She majored in composite dance and concurrently trained in lyric writing, composition, and dramaturgy. While still a student, Michelle was hired as a full-time faculty member at Utah Valley University, where she fused her skill sets to create, choreograph, and direct the world-champion dance team, Fire & Ice. This team performed and competed nationwide, winning 24 World Titles. Fire & Ice was featured in print, film, TV, and was honored to perform at the 2002 Winter Olympics. In 2001, Michelle was awarded the UCWDC World Title for Best Choreographer and has since choreographed professionally for a
    wide range of clients including the genres of musical theater, ballet, and open cabaret. Michelle is a proud member of the Dramatist Guild of America (DGA), the Writers Guild of America (WGA), Women in Animation, Maestra, and New York Women in Film and Television (NYWIFT).

    In November of 2021, Michelle founded Hyzenthlay Studios to provide a new platform for integrated storytelling by weaving elements of specific genres, utilizing a proprietary creative pipeline that elevates a storyteller’s intent to resonate on both an individual and global level.

    With other projects in the works, Michelle is currently focused on producing her new work: Sleepy Hollow, a contemporary musical take on the classic ghost story, historically anchored, and told from the female protagonist’s point of view. Sleepy Hollow is also the vanguard of Gakume, a fusion of Japanese animation and Broadway musical theater.

    Sleepy Hollow was selected for two NYC invitational readings held at The York Theater and The Emerging Artists Theater. Michelle also ran a successful Kickstarter campaign, raising funds to create Sleepy Hollow's professional demo CD, produced in collaboration with Musical Director, Dominick Amendum.

    She is also the proud mom of four uniquely fantastic kids—each with their own footprint in the business.

    Professional Experience

    • Off Broadway
    • Regional
    • Concerts/Cabaret
    • Education
    • TV/Film

    Regions

    • NYC/Tri-State Area

    Interested in touring?

    • No

    Maestra Expertise

    • Theatrical Composer (Music and Lyrics)
    • Theatrical Composer (Music only)
    • Theatrical Lyricist
    • Theatrical Bookwriter
    • Songwriter
    • Orchestrator

    Primary Instruments

    • Synthesizer

    Software

    • Ableton
    • Finale
    • GarageBand
    • Logic
    • Pro-Tools

    Affiliations

    • THE DRAMATISTS GUILD
    • THE WRITERS GUILD

    Current Student?

    • Yes