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 153 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 Black Angel in May 2024.
Choreografin Stepsheets
32 Count 4 Wand Intermediate Musik: Ride or Die (feat. Foster the People) - The Knocks : (CD: New York Narcotic)
64 Count 4 Wand High Intermediate Musik: I Am - Leona Lewis : (Album: I Am)
32 Count 4 Wand Intermediate Musik: Give It to Me Right - Melanie Fiona : (CD: The Bridge)
32 Count 4 Wand Improver Musik: Can't Sleep Love - Pentatonix : (Album: Pentatonix or Delux Version - 2:53)
64 Count 2 Wand Intermediate Musik: Spooky - Classics IV
64 Count 2 Wand Improver Musik: Take These Chains from My Heart - Lee Roy Parnell
32 Count 4 Wand Intermediate Musik: I Want It That Way - Backstreet Boys
32 Count 4 Wand Intermediate Musik: I Feel a Sin Comin' On - Pistol Annies : (CD: Annie Up)
32 Count 4 Wand Beginner Musik: That Don't Impress Me Much - Shania Twain
64 Count 2 Wand Improver Musik: Soul Man - Sam & Dave
32 Count 4 Wand Intermediate / Advanced NC rhythm Musik: New York to California - Mat Kearney : (CD: City of Black & White)
48 Count 4 Wand Intermediate - Hustle rhythm Musik: Blackout - Breathe Carolina : (CD: Hell Is What You Make It - 3:30)
32 Count 4 Wand Improver Musik: Mad Love - Rick Tippe
48 Count 2 Wand Improver Musik: Juke Joint Jumpin' - Barbara Carr
48 Count 4 Wand Intermediate Musik: I Got You - Thompson Square
32 Count 2 Wand Intermediate Musik: I Like It, I Love It - Tim McGraw
60 Count 2 Wand Intermediate Musik: Sunset Red and Pale Moonlight - Pam Tillis
64 Count 2 Wand Intermediate Musik: Act Right - Blue Harlem : (CD: Jump Jack Jump)
64 Count 2 Wand Intermediate / Advanced Musik: Valentino - Diane Birch : (CD: Bible Belt)
64 Count 1 Wand Improver Musik: Boogie Till The Cows Come Home - Roger Brown & Swing City
