Our internationally recognized faculty

Michael Cook, born in Phoenix, Arizona, trained at the School of American Ballet in New York City and was Principal Dancer for The Suzanne Farrell Ballet and Ballet Arizona. 

Michael began his Arizona training at Tempe Dance Academy under the direction of Wanda Manville, inspiring him to open a sister school - Tempe Dance West - in Laveen, Arizona in 2007. Having grown up in this historically rural community that was lacking in arts and arts education, Michael’s vision for the school was - and remains - ensuring that all children have access to the arts and arts education. 

In fall 2022, Michael’s school will transition to a new name - South Mountain Performing Arts, opening in a 9500-sq ft state-of-the-art facility designed and built specifically for his professional dance training program. 

Onstage Career

Michael was Principal Dancer for The Suzanne Farrell Ballet from 2007 to 2014, and Principal Dancer for Ballet Arizona from 2000 to 2007. 

For The Suzanne Farrell Ballet, Michael danced principal roles in Agon, Apollo, Prodigal Son, Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet, Duo Concertante, La Valse, Diamonds, Meditation, and Mozartiana, among others, and Ragtime as a part of Ms. Farrell’s Balanchine Preservation Initiative. He continues to work with Ms. Farrell with numerous creative projects. 

For Ballet Arizona, Michael originated roles in Ib Andersen’s Romeo and Juliet as Romeo, Mosaik, and Swan Lake. His repertoire included works by Paul Taylor, Julia Adam, Twyla Tharp, Dwight Rhoden, Maurice Béjart, Jerome Robbins, and George Balanchine. 

Teaching Career

For nearly two decades, Michael’s passion for dancing has extended beyond the stage to teaching and inspiring young dancers. 

Through the Education Department at the Kennedy Center, in Washington, DC,  he taught a series of master classes in ballet and partnering.Michael continues to co-Direct the nationally recognized Tempe Dance Company in Tempe, Arizona. 

Many of Michael’s students have moved on to Broadway, Crique Du Soleil dance companies including - Hubbard Street, Lines Contemporary Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal, The Rockettes, SYTYCD, and scholarships to colleges such as Juilliard, Marymount, Pace, University of the Arts, Point Park, Univ. of AZ and ASU. Michael is always excited to share his love and passion in dance with all his students.