Meet the Artists
Michael Atrip
Company Member
Michael S. Artrip is a professional dancer in Chicago, IL, dancing with Inaside Chicago Dance, Ascendence Dance Chicago, and Meraki Dance Company. Starting his training in Kalamazoo, MI, Michael graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Western Michigan University studying ballet, modern, and jazz techniques. He has also performed with the Michigan branch of Hip Hop ConnXion and as a guest artist for productions of the ballets Nutcracker and Cinderella.
Since joining Ascendence, his work has appeared in the form of a co-choreographed piece with Artistic Director Heather Carpenter for Ascendence's fall benefit showcase, "Resilient" (2016). Michael has also had the pleasure of working with Michal Sayfan of Gaga People, John Gardner and Amanda McKerrow of American Ballet Theatre, and Leslie Young of San Francisco Ballet. In addition to dancing, Michael teaches ballet, jazz, and hip hop at the Cary-Grove Performing Arts Center (Cary, IL).