Michael Balderrama
Encyclopedia
Michael Balderrama is an American choreographer, Broadway dancer, and producer. He lives in Manhattan, New York, and has had residency there for almost 10 years. Michael has worked with people such as Michael Jackson, Vanessa Williams, and many more. He was born and raised in the state of Texas, but moved to Illinois for his high school years. During high school was when his dance interest peaked. After high school he attended college for one year, but eventually dropped out to live out his dream of dancing. He started off in Los Angeles, and eventually moved to New York to truly let his career take off.
on scholarship. After graduating at the top of his class, Michael was offered many scholarships, including academic and volleyball scholarships to many division 1 schools such as Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. Michael however decided to attend Grinnel College on full scholarship.
After one year of college, Michael decided to drop out to continue dancing. He had been dancing since the age of 17 at Forest Hills Dance Academy in Rockford, Illinois. Michael returned to Forest Hills and continued to take lessons and teach there for a few years. Michael was married at the age of 19 for only a few weeks before getting a divorce. At the age of 20, Michael had a daughter, Samantha LeAnn Worzella, with Amy Kathleen Worzella (now Koch). Michael, soon after, left for Los Angeles where his dancing career would truly take off.
for 4 years. He worked with people such as Corbin Bleu
(from High School Musical) and Jordin Sparks
(American Idol season 3 winner). After closing of In the Heights in January 2011, Michael started working on the 2nd National tour of In the Heights and was the official choreography. In late 2010/early 2011, Michael also began his own production company known as Silver Towers Productions. Michael started working on a new show called VolleyGirls as well as doing miscellaneous choreography jobs in mid-2011.
Early life
Michael Anthony Balderrama was born in 1973 at Rockford Memorial Hospital; however, he was raised in a little town about a half hour outside of San Antonio, Texas, called Hondo. His parents were Maria Balderrama (previously Tejeda), and Ernesto Balderrama. Maria is one of 3 and Ernesto one of 11. Michael has one sister Michelle. She is currently married with one child. Michael grew up in Hondo until the beginning of high school when he moved to Rockford, Illinois. He attended Keith Country Day SchoolKeith Country Day School
Keith Country Day School is a private, fully accredited, independent, nonsectarian, college-preparatory school located in Rockford, Illinois, USA...
on scholarship. After graduating at the top of his class, Michael was offered many scholarships, including academic and volleyball scholarships to many division 1 schools such as Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. Michael however decided to attend Grinnel College on full scholarship.
After one year of college, Michael decided to drop out to continue dancing. He had been dancing since the age of 17 at Forest Hills Dance Academy in Rockford, Illinois. Michael returned to Forest Hills and continued to take lessons and teach there for a few years. Michael was married at the age of 19 for only a few weeks before getting a divorce. At the age of 20, Michael had a daughter, Samantha LeAnn Worzella, with Amy Kathleen Worzella (now Koch). Michael, soon after, left for Los Angeles where his dancing career would truly take off.
Career
His first true dancing job was with Michael Jackson in his extended song “Ghost”. Michael also performed on the VMA’s as a back-up dancer for Vanessa Williams in her performance of Colors of the Wind. Once Michael started on Broadway, his first show was the first national tour of Saturday Night Fever in 1999. After being in that for 3 years, the next show he performed in was Movin’ Out, a show composed entirely of Billy Joel music. Following Movin’ Out, Michael was next seen in Urban Cowboy, which was when the Actor’s Union strike occurred. Next was Hot Feet. After Hot Feet, Michael began working on a show off Broadway that would go on to start on Broadway, win 4 Tony awards, and Michael would be a part of for 4 years. This show? In The Heights. (Broadway World). Michael was dance captain, fight captain, and also male swing in In the HeightsIn the Heights
In the Heights is a musical with music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and a book by Quiara Alegría Hudes. The story explores three days in the characters' lives in the New York City Dominican-American neighborhood of Washington Heights....
for 4 years. He worked with people such as Corbin Bleu
Corbin Bleu
Corbin Bleu Reivers , known professionally as Corbin Bleu, is an American actor, model, dancer, producer, and singer-songwriter. He performed in the High School Musical film series, the Discovery Kids drama series Flight 29 Down, and the Disney Channel Original Movie Jump In!...
(from High School Musical) and Jordin Sparks
Jordin Sparks
Jordin Brianna Sparks is an American pop / R&B singer-songwriter and actress. She hails from Glendale, Arizona who rose to fame as the winner of the sixth season of American Idol. Sparks won when she was 17 years old, making her the youngest winner in Idol history...
(American Idol season 3 winner). After closing of In the Heights in January 2011, Michael started working on the 2nd National tour of In the Heights and was the official choreography. In late 2010/early 2011, Michael also began his own production company known as Silver Towers Productions. Michael started working on a new show called VolleyGirls as well as doing miscellaneous choreography jobs in mid-2011.