Michele Bongiorni Orellana

Michele is originally from North Carolina and has been dancing for 25 years studying ballet, jazz, contemporary, and hip hop and grew up competing in regional dance competitions. She graduated from UNC Chapel Hill where she performed on the nationally ranked UNC Dance Team and began dancing for North Carolina Theatre, American Dance Festival, and NC Dance Institute. She has been on staff with the National Dance Alliance and United Spirit Association working with high school and college dance teams across the country. She was the dance assistant for the Timberwolves Dancers for the 2016-2017 season. She has also choreographed for many competitive dance studios across the US and has received numerous awards for her choreography.

She has danced with Phyzix Urban Dance Theatre in Atlanta; Aerial Concepts, an aerial dance company that performed for the Pan-American Synchronized Swimming Opening Ceremonies; Wabi Sabi Dance Company and ContempraDance Theatre in Philadelphia. She has also performed at Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre, Dance New Amsterdam, Steps on Broadway, Koresh School of Dance, and DiscoAmerica Ballroom Competition. She performed a piece choreographed by Francesca Harper entitled "Fearless" for the New Ballet Ensemble's 10th Birthday Event and choreographed a solo piece for a short film for the International Filmmaker's Coalition of Kansas City film competition.

Her TV/Film credits include Get On Up: James Brown Biopic, Girls, Gossip Girl, Deception, and Paranoia. She has also danced in numerous music videos, industrials for Reebok, Silpada, David's Bridal, & Nissan, and with artists like DJ DiamondKuts, Juliana Cole, and country legend Ronnie Dunn.

Michele was the assistant to LA choreographer/actor Brandee Evans and has had the opportunity to work with Monica and Wyclef Jean, assist the LA Sparkids, perform at the 2015 BET Experience, and film the OWN pilot "Dance Crash". 

She has taught and choreographed for many studios all over the East Coast and Midwest and is excited to now call Arkansas home.  Michele has been dancing professionally for over 10 years and teaching in the studio for over 15 years.  She brings a new diversity of experience to TPDC in Season 5 for our Company and Recreational dancers.