Michael Susten

Michael Susten is a highly accomplished dance educator and choreographer with over twenty years of experience. A graduate of the University of the Arts with a BFA in Jazz Dance Performance and a focus on choreography, he was honored with the prestigious “Choreography Prize” upon graduation. Susten has been a faculty member at renowned institutions such as Broadway Dance Center, The Joffrey Ballet School, and STEPS on Broadway in NYC. Additionally, he has served as a guest teacher at Point Park University, The University of Pennsylvania, Dean College, Millennium Dance Complex, and various performing arts high schools across the country.

As a choreographer, Susten’s work has been showcased in esteemed events like the Philly Fringe Festival, The APAP Showcase, Pushing Progress Showcase, Koresh Artist Showcase, and The Choreographers Canvas. His choreography has been recognized as a finalist in the International Choreography Competition and Dance Underneath the Stars Choreography Festival and earned 2nd runner-up at the Artist Simply Human Choreography Competition. He has been featured in Dance Studio Magazine and Dance Teacher Magazine, with praise for his professionalism and innovative artistry.

Susten’s performance career includes five years as a cast member at Walt Disney World in Orlando, where he appeared in Festival of the Lion King, Magic Kingdom’s Welcome Show, and The Main Street Trolley Show. Beyond performing, he has produced and directed over twenty sold-out concerts with Xhale Dance Company and Michael Susten & Company in Philadelphia and NYC. His work has garnered acclaim, with Debbie Allen stating, “Michael Susten creates beautiful and original work,” and NYCStuff describing his choreography as “athletic with a balletic undertone.”

Susten is deeply committed to mentorship, having guided countless dancers to success in prestigious programs and professional careers, including placements at top universities like Julliard, Point Park, PACE, NYU and Boston Conservatory. His summer workshop, The Michael Susten & Company Summer Workshop, ran for six years and offered dancers from across the country the chance to train with leading choreographers and educators.

Known for his exceptional storytelling and dynamic choreography, Susten has left a lasting legacy in the dance community. His unique ability to create meaningful narratives through movement has earned him numerous awards and national recognition, solidifying his place as a visionary in the field.

Michael Susten is the proud owner of the Susten Dance Collective (SDC), a studio he opened in 2020 during the challenges of the pandemic. Despite the uncertain times, SDC quickly became a hub for dance excellence, offering students a top-tier education with guidance from some of the industry’s best teachers and choreographers. Over its five seasons, SDC achieved remarkable success, including five national competition wins, solidifying its reputation as a premier training ground for young dancers. Michael continues to judge and teach around the country and Canada and spread his knowledge and hopes to inspire the next generation of dancers.