Michael Uthoff was born in Chile to the founders of the Chilean National Ballet, Ernst Uthoff and Lola Botka, who were both members of the original Ballet Jooss. Uthoff arrived in New York City to study dance at The School of American Ballet, The Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance and The Juilliard School of Music.

Soon after his arrival, he became a soloist with the José Limón Dance Company. Uthoff was also an original member of the American Dance Company, which opened the State Theatre at Lincoln Center, in which he danced leading roles in works by José Limón, Donald McKayle and Anna Sokolow. He then joined the Joffrey Ballet as a principal dancer and later joined the First Chamber Dance Company of NY touring the USA, Latin America and Eastern Europe.

He was among the first faculty members at SUNY Purchase and founded and developed the Hartford Ballet, taking it to national prominence where it served as a framework for companies around the country to follow. His tenure culminated with tours of China and Latin America. Uthoff continued his career as the artistic director of Ballet Arizona and the Ballet Estable del Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

In 2006, he accepted the post of artistic and executive director of Dance St. Louis and continued the presentation of quality dance performances while developing programs that enhanced the local dance community and thrilled audiences. SPRING TO DANCE® and New Dance Horizons were introduced to its season while an intensive dance education program was developed with inner city schools. He held the post until 2015 and later returned to Dance St. Louis as the artistic director in 2020.

He has taught at the university level and in dance schools throughout the country. He guest lectured at UMSL’s dance department and became a member of the faculty at Webster University in 2010. He is also the artistic director of New Dance Partners—a program inspired by Dance St. Louis’ New Dance Horizons entering its 11th season—at the Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas.

PHOTO CREDIT
(Top) New York City Ballet, In Creases, Ensemble. Photo by Paul Kolnik.