Michael Richter is a teacher, mentor/counselor, performer and researcher who helps people and organizations learn and grow via dance improvisation and creative process. He uses a variety of tools and strategies drawn from ensemble techniques and somatic practices to help us interact with each other, as well as trust and develop our kinesthetic intelligence.
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Michael is artist faculty/co-director for Jacob's Pillow Curriculum-in-Motion Institute, which teaches a community partnership methodology for choreographers. Michael is the co-developer and co-teacher of the Language of Dance® Foundations and Master Practitioner certification courses in motif notation for international teachers and choreographers. He created and leads the Dancing Reading Online Group, which provides mentoring and community for North American dance teachers and choreographers.
Michael is also a leader of Sensory Awareness, a somatic practice, brought to the US by Charlotte Selver. He has presented this work in Mexico, Germany and the United States. He co-created and is faculty in the Selver/Sensory Awareness Leaders Training Institute, which offers online and in-person professional development for new leaders.
As a researcher, Michael engages with individuals and groups to investigate topics ranging from professional problems to romantic and health issues. This work, developed with Celeste Miller, is Dancing Dialogic Research (DDR) and is akin to Authentic Movement and choreographic coaching. He has presented this method both in the USA and Colombia. He has also researched how dance improvisation promotes wellness and diminishes bias among diverse groups.
As a bilingual Spanish-English teacher, Michael has taught and developed course curricula for teachers and learners between ages 3 - 70. He was a professor at the Instituto Tecnológico de La Paz, Centro de Capacitación para el Trabajo Industrial (in a Masters program in Criminology), and the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, Mexico. He also taught in pre-school, prison and juvenile hall.
As a dance educator, Michael has trained and mentored dance and classroom teachers. He has written K-12 curricula for using creative dance to teach math, language, science and social studies. He was a professor of Teaching Creative Dance at California State University, Northridge, and has been returning faculty for the Choreographer’s Lab and Curriculum-in-Motion program for high school teachers and students at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in western Massachusetts.
Michael has garnered grant support from the Dana and Harkness Foundations for Dance, Dance/USA, The Mark Morris Dance Group, and the California Arts and Humanities Councils. He has served on the boards of the Language of Dance Center, USA, the International Sensory Awareness Leaders Guild and the California Dance Educators Association.
As a performer, Michael has danced, choreographed, and acted in New York, California, and in multiple states in Mexico. He won the State Theater Competition in Baja California Sur for performing in the piece Devaneo, which was written about his early life.
As an entrepreneur, in Los Angeles, he co-founded and directed Move, Dance, and Yoga, which provided dance residencies and professional development to over 30 schools annually. In Mexico, he founded and directed Encorporarte, which created community and school creative dance programs, as well as international artistic collaborations.
22 accomplishments to celebrate from 2022 - thanks to Kristina Wong for inspiring me to write this list
ART/DANCE:
Performed my choreography/improv pieces in La Paz (Rancho Yesod and Black Box inauguration) and NYC (Butoh festival).
Danced in choreography by Veracruz artist Abigail Jara (MUSSE) at the City Theater, Art Museum, and street dance festival.
Made new friends in La Paz via live dance together - GRACIAS Marcia! (makes me feel that I am part of the dance/arts community here)
Took an online writing course with Terrie Silverman after knowing her in LA for years. I got to share writing about my childhood/youth.
Made my website @ michaelrichter.art (a work in progress)
FAMILY:
Reunited with the Ostrers which felt so good, including nature time together and Robby’s wedding.
Helped care for my mother-in-law, Quina, including bathing her in the shower.
FRIENDSHIP:
Met a few zoom friends in person! I had known these people only on the screen. It was so good to be in person together. Laura W., Skye M., Blake RR, Hanna and Marc in NY and then Adam F. and Andrew V. in BCS!
HOME:
Bought a plot of land in El Comitan, with gorgeous cardones (cacti), which we have named Casa Chesed (= loving kindness)
Built an eco-composting toilet and a cabin at the ranch
MARRIAGE
Celebrated our 15th anniversary with Iram at Rancho Yesod.
Brought Iram (permanent resident) and Sunny to USA
NATURE:
Discovered a new hike with an amazing view of Balandra beach.
SPIRITUALITY
Went to pray at Central Synagogue in person (NYC) after 2 years of online services and sang with Joey Weisenberg at a Jewish music workshop
TRAVEL
Quick getaway to Cape Cod and Vermont with family - beautiful rolling hills for Sunny to explore and fabulous fall foliage!
Got back to our favorite museum, MassMOCA, with Iram after not having been there in 14 years.
WORK/SERVICE
Became a Fulbright Specialist to serve in dance.
Finished with the second cohort of Curriculum-in-Motion on site at the Pillow
Graduated our first cohort of SALTI (Selver Awareness Leaders Training Institute) and began the second cohort
Hosted and led events at the Ranch, including a weekend healing retreat and a wedding for our niece, Ivon
Installed a new Board for the LODC and also spoke at Ann’s memorial at Jacob’s Pillow
Lived and worked harmoniously with my stepmother, Midge, in my dad’s house and business.
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