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Staff

Michele Plescia, Artistic Director Emeritus
RAD certified ballet instructor, Certified PBT instructor
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Michele Plescia studied ballet with Bristol Ballet’s founder and director, Constance Hardinge, beginning her studies at age seven. At age eight, she was one of a handful of Bristol students selected by Maria Tallchief, founder of Chicago City Ballet, to receive a Ford Foundation Scholarship to continue her ballet studies. Later Michele attended Sullins College as a dance major, under the direction of Madame Valentina Belova. Afterward, Michele was a member of a professional company in Arlington, Virginia, directed by Carmen Matte, former Prima Ballerina of the National Ballet of Washington, D.C. 

Michele received her teaching certification from the prestigious Royal Academy of Dance, headquartered in London, England, in 2002. The internationally recognized Royal Academy of Dance is the world’s largest ballet examining and training organization. Michele passed the certification with merit. Academy members have described her as a gracious and unassuming lady, as having a good eye for correction, as having a good rapport with her students, and as having high standards in demonstrating technique. Michele received her certification to teach Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) in 2015.

Michele spent twelve years teaching in the Chicago area prior to returning to Bristol and serving as Bristol Ballet’s Artistic Director from 2004-2022. During her tenure as Artistic Director, she produced The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, and original productions Celtic Flair and Unbroken Circle - Bristol’s Music in Motion (inspired by the 1927 Bristol Sessions that made Bristol “The Birthplace of Country Music”). Through her leadership. Bristol Ballet has prospered and maintained its status as a Bedrock Institution. 

Michele was honored by MINDS WIDE OPEN: Virginia Celebrates Women in the Arts in 2010 and by Arts Alliance Mountain Empire in 2013 for her talent, creativity, and important contributions to the arts.

Upon her retirement on July 2, 2022, Michele was awarded the title of Artistic Director Emeritus. She remains on staff as an instructor and advisor.

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