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Staff

Michele Plescia, Artistic Director Emeritus
Royal Academy of Dance certified ballet instructor, Certified Progressing Ballet Technique 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 on scholarship as a dance major, under the direction of Madame Valentina Belova. Afterward, Michele was a member of Arlington Dance Theatre, 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, building a dance program to the second largest program (next to soccer) at the Naperville Park District. Michele returned to Bristol and served as Bristol Ballet’s Artistic Director from 2004-2022. Tasked with rebuilding the organization during a low point, she rebuilt the school and reestablished the performing company, guided the survival of the school through the Covid-19 pandemic, and oversaw two major relocations. During her tenure as Artistic Director, she produced with original choreography The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, and original concept 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 for regular and private classes and advisor to the current directors. 

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