Meet Michael Bradford

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Bradford.

Hi Michael, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am first generation Mexican American with Afro-Latino roots. I was born and raised in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas metroplex. I overcame the odds after being placed in foster care and eventually, adopted. My adopted parents since then, have passed – my adopted mother passed  when I was 15 and my adopted father passed when I was 19. I am here carrying the legacy of strong people who built and raised the community around them.

I turned to the arts for healing, joy, and the love of creating. Through my love for the arts, I was able to attend and graduate honors from Howard University with a BFA in Dance Arts.

FUN FACT: I AM THE FIRST MEXICAN AMERICAN TO GRADUATE FROM HOWARD UNIVERSITY WITH A BFA IN DANCE ARTS.

My extensive training has lead me to a vast amount of experiences in dance, choreography, TV/film, commercial, and arts instruction.

I currently am an active member of SAG-AFTRA and work with the entertainment industry.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth? Far from smooth. Growing up, I faced issues around identity, sexuality, and race. The intersections of those labels have created obstacles in which, I still have to overcome day by day.

On top of societal structures, being in foster care and later adopted created another source of obstacles for me to overcome like abuse, abandonment, and grief from the loss of my parents. My road has been far from smooth.

I have learned to deal with the cards given to me and make lemonade from the lemons I have been given. And also, having just water isnt bad either.

Through the arts, I have been able to create space for healing not only myself but also my community. I am here and dancing along the way.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a performing and creative artist with vast amount of experience in Dance, Choreography, TV/Film, Commercial, and Arts Administration. I specialize in Ballet, Modern, and lyrical movement. My training has lead me to not only practice the arts but be an instructor inside the arts.

Today, I proudly call myself a Director, Instructor, Choreographer, Mentor, Coach, Teacher, and Artist. My work has been displayed in digital exhibitions, on-stage, and even on TV.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The qualities that are most important for my success, I call the “Keys to Success.”

Proactiveness – requires awareness, preparation, and follow through

“To be early, is to be on time. To be on time, is it be late. To be late is unacceptable.”

Adaptability – How fast can someone adjust to the world around them.

Attitude – Your mind set can make or break you.

My high school principal taught me, “It’s not your aptitude but your attitude that determines your altitude.”

Application – If you can think it, you can be it. If you put your mind to it, YOU CAN DO IT!

Pricing:

• Choreography – $500 Deposit
• TV/Film/Commercial – SAG RATES
• Arts Administraion – Prices vary
• Arts Management – Prices vary

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/michaelcbradford
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/IAmMichaelCB

Image Credits
@JassieHeadshots