Miss Michelle, studio owner, director & instructor, began dancing at age 5, assisting at the age of 13 and has been teaching ever since! Michelle graduated from Sanford School in Hockessin, Delaware and went on the get her BSBA in Marketing and Management from the University of Delaware allowing her to continue dancing and teaching throughout college. After graduating, she taught preschool at St. Mary’s for 3 years before becoming a partner at her current studio with Cindy Phillips (Owner of Hockessin Dance Center from 1989-2007). After Michelle married her high school sweetheart in 2007, Cindy made the decision to retire, transferring the studio to Michelle. The studio will continue its 35th season this fall, with Michelle at the helm for 17 years now.
Dance Credits: Michelle has taken classes from Savion Glover, Frank Hatchett, Desmond Richardson, Dmitry Chaplin, Horace Turnbull, Chloe Arnold, Ginger Cox, Tracie Stanfield, to name a few. Performed in Washington DC, at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Disney World, and Philadelphia. She has performed with OPUS 1 Contemporary, in performances of Anything Cole and Gershwin, By George! at the Riverfront Arts Center in Wilmington, Seussical the Musical, and the Nutcracker. Was a Debbie Reynolds scholarship winner and won the People’s Choice award at the Miss Delaware (America) Pageant.
As a choreographer, Michelle has choreographed numerous parades and local pageants, worked with middle and high school dance teams, and was the choreographer for the Miss Delaware’s Outstanding Teen Pageant under the direction of Allison White.
Right out of college Michelle taught at Cab Calloway High School and started dance programs at St. Mary’s Early Education Program, Sanford Day Camp and Sanford School.
Michelle continues to take classes at Broadway Dance Center and at various workshops throughout the year.
Outside of dance, Michelle has modeled for Ford (NYC) Mainline Models (PA) and competed in the Miss Delaware Scholarship Pageants winning 2 local titles and placing in the top 10 at the state pageant both years.
Married to Brandon Buglio for 17 years, they now have 2 handsome boys Archer (11) Carter (8).
Michelle’s favorite part of her job is watching her students grow and improve from year to year. Seeing a student grasp a new step or gain more confidence in class or on stage is the best part of being a teacher!