Hailed by the New York Times as “one of the world’s most luminous dancers,” Michael Trusnovec grew up dancing on Long Island, inspired by his idols Fred Astaire and Gene Kelley. He graduated from the Long Island High School for the Performing Arts, and earned a BFA in Dance Performance from Southern Methodist University.
For over two decades, Michael was a principal dancer with the Paul Taylor Dance Company, creating over 25 roles with, and appearing in more than 70 dances by Mr. Taylor. He also premiered new works by Larry Keigwin, Doug Elkins, Doug Varone, Lila York, Margie Gillis and Pam Tanowitz, and was featured in the company’s presentation of Martha Graham’s Diversion of Angels. In addition, Trusnovec was Associate Rehearsal Director, was featured in the 2004 PBS Great Performances: Acts of Ardor and the 2013 Paul Taylor in Paris, and continues to serve as the Director of Worldwide Licensing and as a repetiteur of Mr. Taylor’s dances.
Among his honors are the 2018 Dance Magazine Award, the “Positano Premia La Danza” Dancer of the Year 2016, a 2006 Bessie Award, and in 1992 he was a YoungArts awardee and Presidential Scholar in the Arts. Michael serves on the Board of Directors of Dance Films Association, as well as Austin, TX based Dancing into Science, and is a 2019 Dance Panelist for the New York State Council on the Arts. He is also a national reviewer, mentor and Alumni Advisory Council member for YoungArts, and is a co-founder of the Asbury Park Dance Festival.