We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brady Michael a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Brady, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
I think the key to developing confidence and self-esteem within my craft was consistency. I found that the more I took dance classes, the more I taught my own, and the more work I was creating, I became more and more sure of myself and what I wanted to put forth into the dance community. Self-esteem, I think, is something that we all have ebbs and flows with throughout our lives, but I found that I became more confident in myself and my abilities when I was consistent in my training.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Hi everybody! My name is Brady Michael, and I am an artist currently based in Atlanta. I work as freelance dance teacher and choreographer throughout the metro-Atlanta area. I am also the director of RISK Contemporary Dance Company, which is a freelance company made up of pre-professional and professional contemporary artists alike. Through RISK, I strive to strengthen relationships among dancers, create meaningful shows/performances, and provide opportunities for people who I personally see something in. RISK is currently in its second season, and we will be presenting our first full-length show “Five More Minutes” in January 2024. I also have contributed work to the commercial world in Atlanta through my involvement with Rachel Truitt’s Admix Project and Xcel Talent Agency. I had the honor of choreographing for their shows in 2023, and I most recently served as a headliner for World of Dance Atlanta.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I would say that organization, compassion/love, and open-mindedness were three areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my artistic journey. I was raised to be very thorough and organized in my work, and I have tried to maintain that when conducting business. I believe that compassion and love go hand-in-hand regarding both work and personal fulfillment. I believe that leading one’s life with love and compassion leads to joy, and I have found the same to be true in my career. Lastly, the art and dance world is ever-evolving and so I believe it is imperative to have an open mind when being an art producer or consumer.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
There are several people who I would credit to helping me overcome challenges in my life & career. Firstly, I would acknowledge my family, who have all supported me since the very beginning and been super encouraging in every creative endeavor I have taken on. I would speak about my friends/girlfriend who have consistently pulled up for me to support me as an artist and as a human being. I would thank my bosses and those who continue to provide opportunities for me to create and use my artistic voice. Lastly, I would thank my RISK dancers and all of my students who always give me their all and amplify their artistry so that I am able to therefore amplify mine.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bradymichaelchoreo.com
- Instagram: @_BradyMichael
- Other: My Company’s Instagram: @RISKdanceATL My Choreography Portfolio Instagram: @BradyMichaelChoreo
