Michelle has been drawn to performing since childhood. The daughter of the late world-renown Chicago jazz musician, Franz Jackson, Michelle began studying dance as a young girl and continued performing into adulthood. Not limiting herself to dance, she also studied music and tucked a few acting roles under her belt along the way as well. During her tenure working for a local CBS affiliate television station, Michelle’s talents were called upon for voice work and commercial projects.

After taking an extended hiatus from the stage for almost 20 years to take on the rewarding challenge of being a wife, mother and entrepreneur, Michelle decided to return to her love of dance just after turning 50 in 2017. Dance has always been a source of passion and inspiration throughout Michelle's life. She is thrilled to have found a dance home with UZIMA! Drum and Dance Company and is honored to also serve as the company’s Executive Director.

Even during her downtime, she was never far from the spotlight, serving as her late father’s business manager during the last few years of his life, organizing a gala concert in honor of his 95th birthday in 2007 and establishing an annual jazz concert program – The Franz Jackson Jazz Celebration – in his honor.

Michelle’s day job is as the Impact and Engagement Officer for literacy non-profit One Word at a Time and assistant to best-selling author and One Word at a Time founder Kwame Alexander.

In addition to dance, Michelle’s creative passions are nurtured through writing and baking. In the last several years, she has contributed to an online writers’ project, and re-launched her cottage bakery business Ambrosia Gourmet Treats in 2021.

Michelle has been married to her wonderful husband, David, for over 25 years, and is blessed with two beautiful, amazing children: Kiri who owns a public relations firm in San Francisco and Jade who works in audio engineering and stage management in Chicago; Jade is also an UZIMA! drummer. Michelle is also “Mimi” to two incredible grandsons, Bijan and Adi and “cat mom” to six silly kitties.

She is excited to share the joy and spirit of dance with UZIMA!’s audiences and grateful to be part of such a loving and talented dance family.