Michael Cornell
ALIGN BALLET METHOD creator and artistic director Michael Cornell is a graduate of the National Academy of Arts in Champaign, Illinois. He studied with Royal Ballet dancer Petrus Bosman and American master teacher Robert Dicello. After completing a scholarship with the Pennsylvania School of Ballet, Michael joined the innovative BalletMet of Columbus, Ohio and stayed with the company for 10 years.
Michael’s powerful skills as a contemporary dancer led him to perform principle roles in original work by David Parsons (The Parsons Company/New York), James Kudelka (Director of The National Ballet of Canada), Harvard Artist in Residence and Genius Award winner Liz Lerman, and Alonzo King (Lines Ballet/San Francisco). In addition to dancing virtuoso ballet roles, such as Le Corsaire pas de deux, Michael appeared as the principle dancer in Alonzo King’s Without Wax. His image has also been featured in Dance Magazine.
Upon relocating to Los Angeles, Michael launched BeitFit.com, a pioneering web site through which he distributed fitness podcasts. His innovative MP3 fitness workout TRANSFORMATION was featured in the New York Times and the magazines Health, Angeleno, and Better Homes and Gardens. His ballet classes have also featured in ANGELENO and on KTLA.
In 2009, Michael choreographed and debuted his multi-media nuevo tango pas de deux Swimming Pool at the Electric Lodge in Venice Beach. Swimming Pool utilized a unique lighting source for the stage – video of a Los Angeles pool illuminated at night. His next work, Dark Matter followed – this dynamic quartette featured four of LA’s most talented and versatile female dancers.
Michael’s exceptional choreographic eye and artistic expertise has garnered attention beyond the dance community. Within the music and entertainment world he conceptualized and directed the “Live My Life” music video for Los Angeles musician Kameron White, and The Sonic Project, which was selected for the 2010 Los Angeles International Film Festival, 2010 So Cal Film Market Festival, The Los Angeles LA FEMME International Film Festival, and won a 2010 Accolade Award.
Michael co-produced, directed, and choreographed “The Ref Project” for iconic video dancer Calrton Wilborn in collaboration with photographer Dave Nagel. He most recently directed the “Time To Celebrate”hip hop music video for MODE and 1071 Productions.
