Michelle Carpenter, DEMI SOLOIST

Birthplace
Mission Viejo, California

Dance Training
Saddleback Dance Center
Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy

Joined the Company
2002

Promoted to Demi Soloist
2007

Favorite Ballet
Swan Lake

One defining moment…
I was asked by Ben Stevenson to compete in the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi, where I was named a finalist.

Michelle Carpenter was born in Mission Viejo, California and was raised in the Southern California region. Ms. Carpenter trained with Ann Marie McClellan and Victor and Tatiana Katasky at the Saddleback Dance Center. She attended Orange County High School of the Arts and was trained there by Sophie Monet and Alaine Haubert. During her summers, Ms. Carpenter attended the School of American Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet School. From 1998-2002, Ms. Carpenter attended Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy for both summer and fall programs on a full scholarship. In June 2002, Ms. Carpenter was a finalist at the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi where she received the Heinz Bosl Award. Ms. Carpenter joined Houston Ballet as an apprentice in July 2002 and was promoted to a corps de ballet member in July 2003. She was promoted to demi soloist in 2007.