Michelle Suddarth Burlingame grew up in Antioch, TN and attended Antioch High School (class of ’91). She has been studying dance since the age of six. In those years, she developed a deep appreciation and passion for the art of movement which she hopes to pass on to her students. Mrs. Burlingame received her Bachelor’s Degree in French with minors in Dance and Secondary Education from Middle Tennessee State University in 1996. She taught dance for about nine years at Pam’s Studio of Dancing (where she began her training), which is now Rhythmic Moves Dance Studio in Antioch. She is married and has two children, Joseph and Carmen. Mrs. Burlingame is certified to teach French and Dance and has directed the dance program at Antioch High School since 1999. She also taught French for the first four years of her teaching career.

The dance department at Antioch High School produces two performances every year and performed for a record-breaking crowd of over four hundred in the spring of 2006. Currently, Antioch offers the following dance courses: Dance Technique I, II, III/IV, and Dance Ensemble (by audition only).

To find out more about the dance program (event dates, classroom rules, supplies), please visit ahsdance.org.

Dance is a great experience. Students all over the world pay a lot of money to take dance class, and Antioch High School gives students the opportunity to take class every day…for free! Students earn a fine art credit and learn the fundamentals of ballet, tap, jazz, and modern.

Dance has so much to offer. It teaches discipline and respect. Students can improve academically because of the self-discipline that is required in dance. By taking this class, the students become more physically fit, more confident, and are challenged mentally.

Dance is an exciting way to get acquainted with the arts! The students study the history of dance and the art of performing. They explore many different kinds of movement and music. Students become more creative, learn about the stage, and are in at least one performance. And last, but not least, dance is FUN!!!