Michael Montgomery began his training in the womb - the son of well-known Australian teacher and Artistic Director, Patti Gleeson. He studied under his mother in all forms of dance until the age of 15, before completing his professional training at The Australian Ballet School 1983-‘85. He was a member of The Dancers Company of the Australian Ballet 1984/85, also appearing with The Australian Ballet. Possessing a fine voice, he then crossed over to Musical Comedy - where his performer heart lay. Since then, Michael’s Australian credits have included Principal Dancer in the musicals Evita (Lloyd Webber/Rice), Chess – the Musical (Rice/Andersson/Ulvaeus) and Dancin’ Man with David Atkins, he also featured in The Australian Opera’s New Years Eve Gala 1990. Other theatre credits include The Ultimate Concert, with Frank Sinatra in 1988, The Queens Birthday Royal Command Performance 1989, Sydney Autumn Dance Festival 1991;partnering Gary Stewart, supporting lead role in the play His Way at The Belvoir St. Theatre 1991(Sydney). He was a regular dancer on Australian television, including The Midday Show ’89-’91 (Nine Network) and City Dances and Poems (ABC TV) and has made numerous TV commercials & video clips internationally. During this period he took time to serve as Dancers Representative on the N.S.W. Divisional committee of Actors Equity of Australia, 1988 – 1991. In 1991 Michael made his West End debut in the London production of The Phantom of the Opera (Lloyd Webber) playing the role of The Slavemaster for two and a half years; whilst continuing his acting and vocal studies. Moving to France, he joined Le Lido de Paris for the creation of C’est Magique in 1994, where he worked until joining the original French cast of the musical La Cage aux Folles, Théâtre Mogador in 1999. Ending the century by being invited to join the Moulin Rouge for the creation of their new show Féerie in December. During this time he continued his choreographic development with dancers at the Paris Opera Ballet and Le Lido and studied under renowned Parisian coach Jacqueline Fynneart in the Kniasev technique of Barre au Sol. He retired from dancing May 2000, due to a back injury sustained in 1995 - to persue a full-time choreographic career. October 2000 will mark the creation of Rachmaninov Variations and Terror on Bondi Beach (Giselle Act II), for Central Dance Company Australia. Michael is an internationally published dance writer and critic for Dance Europe magazine. As well as being a recognised teacher, having taught regular professional classes at the Académie des Arts Chorégraphiques – Cité Veron in Paris and previously as guest teacher at many schools in Australia including the Sydney Dance Company studio and McDonald College.