Michael Kelly has traveled to more than 40 countries as a professional dancer and choreographer. But his roots as a Mustang from Portage Central High brought him back home this past summer.
Michael met current PC senior Sophia Loso while guest teaching at her dance studio in Kalamazoo. He choreographed a group dance and both a solo and duet for Sophia.
Sophia Loso (right) performing a duet choreographed by Michael Kelly. (Photo courtesy of Loso family.)
It wasn’t until one of Sophia’s former teachers at Woodland Elementary recognized Michael’s name and photo on a social media post about Sophia’s dance choreographer that the depth of their connection was discovered.
Both Micheal and Sophia were Wildcats at Woodland before also walking the halls of Central High – simply 12 years apart.
Michael began dancing in 5th grade at Woodland and continued all throughout his time at West Middle School and Central High School. After graduating in 2014, he studied dance at New York University before his first gig out of school at The Moulin Rouge in Paris.
Michael Kelly and his little sister at their choir festival at West Middle School. (Photo courtesy of Michael Kelly.)
Sophia put on her first pair of dancing shoes at only 3 years old. Formerly a Wildcat herself, Sophia is now half way through her senior year at Central High. She hopes to attend Purdue University to study education and join the college dance team.
While in high school himself, Michael saw firsthand the impact that mentors have on young people.
He remembers his teachers at Central who encouraged his dream of becoming a professional dancer and who were understanding of the demands that competitive dance had on his schedule. He even spent a portion of his day as a high schooler dual-enrolled, studying ballet at Western Michigan University.
Michael Kelly at his high school graduation from Portage Central in 2014. (Photo courtesy of Michael Kelly.)
Growing up, a lot of the teachers at his dance studio were college students living Michael’s dream.
“When studios bring in people who are successful in dance, it brings visibility that it’s possible,” he said.
Today, Sophia sees the same inspiration in Michael as a mentor who has guided her time as a dancer.
“He’s super fun to work with,” Sophia said. “He helped me explore new types of movement and gain confidence along the way.”
While she doesn’t aspire to dance professionally in Paris or Las Vegas like Michael, she too hopes to inspire the next generation of dancers as a teacher.
“Dance can be hard to navigate, Sophia said. “There are so many different options of things you can do. I want to teach dance to high school students one day and be the kind of teacher they remember.”