Meet Michael Wise
About
Michael Wise, originally from Charleston, South Carolina, was born on September 6, 1969. His journey into ballet began at the age of 8 after months of convincing his parents. By the time he turned 11, he was already engaged in rigorous training with prestigious institutions like the American Ballet Theater, the San Francisco Ballet, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, all of which granted him full scholarships.
In 1984, he decided to commit as a full-time student at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts under a full scholarship, where he met his influential teacher and mentor, Duncan Noble. In 1986, he had the opportunity to travel with the school and perform at the Spoleto festival in Spoleto, Italy. The following year, in 1987, he represented the United States in the Prix de Lausanne, with Duncan Noble and Dennis Marshall as his mentors.
After graduating from UNSCA, Michael ventured to Budapest, Hungary, where he received a full scholarship to train at the Hungarian Ballet Institute. In the spring, he participated in the Moscow International Ballet Competition and stayed in Russia for further training, despite his status as an illegal alien. Toward the end of 1989, he trained with the Bolshoi Theater and Theater Stanislavski. A meeting with the Soviet Union's Minister of Culture led to an audition the next day for the Moscow City Ballet. Thankfully, he secured a contract. For six months, Wise studied under esteemed teachers like Alexander Prokoviev and Natalia Kasatkina, along with students of Asaf Messerer. He also formed friendships with notable ballet figures such as Vladimir Vasiliev, Alexey Lopshin, Ilgiz Gaifullin, Michael Shannon, and more.
Following Prokofiev's departure from the company, Michael Wise joined the Moscow Classical Ballet, a company often dubbed the "ballet star factory," in 1990. Within six months, he was promoted to principal dancer, becoming the first American to achieve this status during the Soviet Union era. He showcased his talent in principal roles in various ballets, including Giselle, Don Quixote, Rite of Spring, Creation of the World, Gayane, Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, Le Corsaire, Flames of Paris, Swan Lake, and neo-classical works choreographed by Jacobsen. He received the Soviet Tchaikovsky Award for Outstanding Artistic Excellence at the Tchaikovsky Festival, bestowed by the Soviet Government.
In 1991, Michael married Olga Tchoub, a soloist from the Moscow Classical Ballet, and they embarked on a touring career throughout Europe and Asia. His remarkable ballet journey attracted extensive media coverage, including interviews on television and features in numerous international publications such as "Soviet Life," a Russian magazine.
Escaping the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Michael and his wife returned to the United States. There, he had opportunities to collaborate with choreographers like Fernando Bujones and Luke Dolores and took on lead roles in ballets like "Filling Station," choreographed by former San Francisco Ballet director Lincoln Kirstein. He also performed as a guest dancer alongside his wife, touring across the country.
In 1995, Michael faced a significant setback when he suffered a severe leg injury during a performance. After undergoing surgery and six months of rigorous physical therapy, he returned to the stage. From 1995 to 1998, he continued to perform. Michael Wise officially retired from performing in 1999 and transitioned into a teaching career, dedicated to training and nurturing the next generation of dancers. He and his wife have mentored and produced numerous professionals for classical ballet and contemporary companies. Furthermore, he has served as a judge in ballet competitions, including Dance Masters.
Outside of his ballet career, Michael earned an associate's degree in culinary arts from Johnson and Wales. He is also the creator and host of the YouTube channel and podcast "BalletWise," a platform designed to provide mentorship and guidance to aspiring dancers. He is a father of two and presently serves as the co-director of the Robert Ivey Ballet in Charleston, South Carolina, alongside his wife.