Michael Burfield

Michael Burfield transitions into the role of Rehearsal Director at Nashville Ballet following a 16-year professional performing career. He began his career with Ballet Austin in 2010 before joining The Sarasota Ballet in 2014. Throughout his time with both organizations, he performed a broad range of classical and contemporary repertoire, touring nationally and internationally and appearing at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, New York City Center, and the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival.

Since 2018, Burfield has performed leading and featured roles throughout Nashville Ballet’s classical and contemporary repertoire, including Mercutio in Romeo & Juliet, the Nutcracker Prince and Drosselmeyer in Nashville’s Nutcracker, Renfield in Dracula, and featured roles in Swan Lake, Appalachian Spring, and Lucy Negro Redux. His repertoire also includes works by George Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, Justin Peck, Jiří Kylián, Val Caniparoli, Jennifer Archibald, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Nick Mullikin, Penny Saunders, and many other choreographers.

Alongside his performing career, Burfield has taken on increasing responsibilities in rehearsal leadership, coaching, and repertory staging under Artistic Director Emeritus Paul Vasterling and Artistic Director Nick Mullikin. He has led rehearsals across multiple productions, played a central role in the rehearsal and re-staging of Lucy Negro Redux for its four-city national tour and PBS Great Performances filming, and recently served as Guest Rehearsal Director and Stager for Vasterling’s Cinderella at Sacramento Ballet.