MEET US

Michelle Smith has a background of more than 24 years of ballet training, including the New York City Ballet and San Francisco Ballet, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Texas Christian University. After college, she joined the Delia Stewart Dance Company, working first as principal dancer and then as Manager of the company and Director of the school, where she established a children’s program and diversified the adults’ program that became the base for Houston Met Dance. She has been involved in the Houston arts and dance community for more than 30 years. In the business world, Michelle was the office manager of several real estate firms for her first 10 years in Houston. EMAIL MICHELLE

Originally from Fresno, CA, jhon arrived in Houston through CORE dance and has worked with HMD for over 20 years. jhon’s tenure with Houston Met Dance includes service in artistic, educational and administrative capacities. Promoted to Director of Programming in 2022, jhon became the catalyst for much of HMD’s new programming, working with Executive Director Michelle Smith and HMD’s board of directors to collectively redirect the organization through programming that is deeply rooted in the origins of Houston Met Dance. EMAIL jhon

Lori joined the staff in 2019 as a resident artist and faculty member, however has been associated with HMD since 2015.  Lori's background includes teaching children of all ages (from 2-100yrs) in a variety of situations and organizations including Education in Dance and the Related Arts, Essex Community College, Houston Community College, Hopestone Inc., and Society for the Performing Arts.  She is also an independent artist choreographing work for spaces such as Tranquility Park, Finca Tres Robles, and Hermann Park. EMAIL LORI