Michaela Neild

Michaela Neild is a graduate student at The Ohio State University pursuing an MFA in Dance. Her research interests include dance for social justice, somatic approaches to dance pedagogy, and artistic collaboration in underserved communities. As a performer, choreographer, educator, scholar, artist, and activist, the objective of her work is to address and challenge cultural and sociopolitical issues through dance and intermedia. Her work The Long Line (2016) was selected to present at the 2016 Celebration of Academic Excellence at SUNY at Buffalo, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance. Michaela has performed professionally with LehrerDance, Melanie Aceto Contemporary Dance, RK-CO Dance, and Anne Burnidge Dance, and served as interim director of dance at Nichols Preparatory High School teaching grades 5–12. Michaela specializes in integrating somatic-based principles into her movement vernacular and is a certified Mat and Reformer Pilates instructor.

Areas of Expertise

•             Somatic-based Pedagogical Methods
•             Dance for Social Justice
•             Community Outreach
•             Cultural Studies
•             Composition, Choreography, and Performance
•             Movement Practice

Education

•             BFA in Dance, University at Buffalo
•             Modern and Jazz Technique, Point Park University
•             Liberal Arts, Cayuga Community College