Michelle L. Silva, a retired professional dancer whose former career includes Busch Gardens Theme Park, a national tour with Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus, Siegfried & Roy, the Lido de Paris in Paris, France, and the Stardust Hotel brings her artistic vision to each project. A Michigander, with a strong midwest accent, Michelle began her professional career as an artist at 17 after quitting high school in her senior year. Nearly a decade later, she entered academia and graduated college at 31, saying, "those five years were the most consuming and structured days of my life--going to school during the day and performing at night." An avid writer, Michelle often questioned if "writing fueled my artistic self, or if the movement (dance) fueled my writing?"