The two-time Emmy Award-winning and three-time Emmy Award-nominated choreographer, dance legend and heart-and-soul of FOX’s #1-hit competition reality series, “So You Think You Can Dance,” MIA MICHAELS has so many new projects in store, it’ll make your head spin. Michaels, seasoned as a choreographer well before her first appearance on “SYTYCD,” has choreographed for the best of the best in the industry, including pop royalties Madonna and Prince, while teaching at every major dance establishment in the country. With a resume that reads like a laundry list, her credits include international commercial choreography for Pepsi, Bacardi, Visa and the NBA, theatrical and concert choreography for the “Cirque du Soleil” Official World Tour, “Westside Story,” and “Hello Dolly,” Celine Dion’s “Taking Chances” World Tour, TV choreography for “SYTYCD,” American Music Awards, “The Tonight Show,” and countless music videos (Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan, etc.), and brought home two coveted Emmy Awards— in 2007 for “Outstanding Choreography on a Television Series” for “Calling You” by Celine Dion on “SYTYCD” and in 2003 for “Outstanding Choreography” for Celine Dion’s opening night show at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, while remaining the founder, artistic director and choreographer for her New York-based dance company, “Raw.”

Florida native, Michaels was born on February 23rd into a family of dancers. Her father Joe taught her jazz, tap, and ballet from the age of two, along with her sister Dana who taught her contemporary dance. Once Michaels discovered her passion for dance, she furthered her classical training attending the Miami Conservatory under Thomas Armour and modern with the Performing Arts Center, which later became New World School of the Arts. She also trained in and out of New York with all of the jazz greats as well as studying at Interlochen Arts and Jacobs Pillow.

Starting to her career early, Michaels began choreographing for local shows and performances, by the time she was eleven. In 1989, she was recognized as an up-and-coming young choreographer with her own dance group known as “The Miami Movement Dance Company.” Her choreography career continued to skyrocket as Michaels began creating pieces for Dallas Arts, New World Dance, Miami Ballet, Joffrey II, Kirov Academy, Jazz Theater of Amsterdam. Michaels then joined the faculties of Harid Conservatory in Palm Beach, Florida and New World School of the Arts in Miami while teaching, co-owing and directing the Joe Michaels Miami Dance Center.

Her talents did not go unnoticed. Michaels received the Dance Educators of America’s “President’s Cup” for “Outstanding Choreography” along with both the silver Leo’s dance award and the gold Leo’s dance award for best choreography at the Jazz World Congress as well as being honored by the National Arts and Talent Recognition program as one of the most influential teachers in the artistic development of dance students.

Michaels’ talents have also extended to the world of theater where she received rave reviews for her original choreography for “West Side Story” and original Cuban play “Fort Chaffee,” in addition to being co-choreographer for the off-Broadway show, “If These Shoes Could Talk.” Michaels also entertained and thrilled countless audience members with her work on the Celine Dion show, A New Day, which played at Caesars’ Palace in Las Vegas for over five years. The show featured a cast of 50 dancers with two hours of pure dance artistry. Other shows featuring Mia’s choreography include Celine Dion’s world Tour, Taking Chances, and Cirque du Soleil’s first touring show, Delirium, which premiered March 2006.

Michaels moved from the stage to the TV screen, when she joined the set of FOX’s hit TV Show “So You Think You Can Dance” in 2005, as the ever-popular fan-favorite judge and contributing choreographer on which she created some of the most memorable performances for five solid seasons. In 2007, Michaels and won an Emmy award for Outstanding Choreography on a Television Series for her dance piece “Calling You” on SYTYCD and in 2009 for show’s piece, “Mercy.” Michaels’ role in SYTYCD contributed to the show receiving the “Best Reality TV Show” award at the 2008 Reality TV Show Awards. Additionally, her expertise in the field of choreography has led her to share her talents as a regular guest choreographer and judge with SYTYCD Canada.

After five seasons and an abundance of success, Michaels announced her departure, from the show that has turned America’s favorite choreographer into a worldwide phenomenon. Up next for Michaels is a slew of personal projects from new shows and book deals to the launch of her own various lines.