For the last 15 years Michael has traveled and taught throughout the United States, Canada, England, France, Australia, Japan and Korea. Some of his dances that came to be well known are, Black Dresses, What’s Your Name, Hey Bruce, Doors of Life, Rain Against My Window, etc.
2010 saw the return of Jo Thompson Szymanski to the dance scene and with that Michael has a new found energy. “We all have that one person who can truly inspire us, and Jo is that kind of person for me. Being able to work with Jo (instructing for the Dancing for the Dream seminars and other events) makes my job such a great learning experience.” As Jo takes her journey in 2011 to heal from her stem cell transplant Michael feels a strong responsibility to keep that energy going forward.
Michael comes from a show biz family. His father was a pianist and made a wonderful career playing the music he loved. His mother was a dancer and singer before the “kids” came along and put it aside to keep the home secure and nurturing. Michael’s father and mother met during the heyday of Broadway. Something rubbed off from his parents and we are glad he found the venue of line dance to spread his fun.
2011 will be the busiest year yet for Michael and his partner Michele Burton. “We are on the road a lot this year and love all the connections we have with people around the world. Now if the airlines and ‘mother nature’ will just cooperate getting us to the events that would be a plus. We have learned to expect the unexpected”.
Michael lives in Corning, California with Michele Burton and their cat Twinkle Toes (-_-).
Michael Barr has choreographed 149 dances, of which 69 have been co-choreographed. Their first published stepsheet on CopperKnob is Last Days Of Disco from October 2007, with their most recent stepsheet of Lucky In Love – Couples (p) in July 2020.
Choreographer Stepsheets
32 Count 4 Wall Improver Music: I Won't Dance - Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga : (CD: Cheek To Cheek - 3:56)
32 Count 4 Wall intermediate Music: Forever Loving You - John Rich
48 Count 2 Wall Intermediate waltz Music: This Woman Needs - SHeDAISY : (CD: The Whole Shebang)
32 Count 2 Wall beginner/intermediate nightclub Music: It's Your Love - Barry And Dari Anne Amato
32 Count 4 Wall beginner/intermediate Music: Wake Up and Smell the Whiskey - Dean Miller
64 Count 4 Wall Intermediate Music: I Just Wanna (feat. Santino Noir) - Melissa Gorga : (Single)
64 Count 4 Wall Improver / Intermediate Music: Midnight Hauler - Scooter Lee
64 Count 4 Wall Beginner/Intermediate level Music: Ain't To Proud Too Beg - The Temptations
54 Count 2 Wall Intermediate Music: Till You Love Me - Reba McEntire : (CD: Read My Mind)
32 Count 4 Wall Intermediate Music: Fallin' for You - Heather Headley : (CD: This Is Who I Am)
64 Count 2 Wall Intermediate Music: Gimme Dat Ding - The Pipkins : (Album: Mr. Bean's Crazy Party Hits - 2004)
32 Count 4 Wall intermediate Music: Born to Be Blue - The Judds
32 Count 4 Wall Low Intermediate - Rumba Music: I Love You, I Do - Scooter Lee : (CD: Welcome to Scooterville)
32 Count 4 Wall Intermediate Music: Sara Smile - Hall & Oats
32 Count 4 Wall Intermediate Music: Smooth Operator - Sade : (CD: The Modern Era)
32 Count 4 Wall Beginner Music: Sea of Cowboy Hats - Chely Wright
48 Count 2 Wall Intermediate Music: If You Don't Love Me - E.C. Scott : (CD: Masterpiece)
64 Count 4 Wall intermediate/advanced Music: Bring It On Down To My House - Ray Benson
0 Count 0 Wall Phrased Intermediate Music: Out of Our Heads - Sheryl Crow
32 Count 4 Wall Improver Music: Something's Got A Hold On Me by Kimberly Nichole / iTunes / Recorded & Performed on The Voice / Length: 2:57 / BPM: 152
