(NOTE: No current biography for Mr. Downing was available at the time this exhibition was assembled. This biography is taken from the 1994 Festival Dance house program)

Born in San Francisco, Michael Downing is a graduate of The National Ballet School of Canada. He has danced with the Boston Ballet, and The National Ballet of Canada. He has also attended three years at the Ontario College of Art. Mr. Downing has created workshop pieces for Ottawa Ballet and Ballet British Columbia, as well as a piece commissioned for the National Ballet's Community Outreach Project. He has also created commissioned works for Pennsylvania Ballet and the Princeton Ballet as well as taking part in the Carlisle Project, a showcase for choreographers in the United States.

Michael also has his own company, 'DANCEFRONT', that performs site specific dances. Grants awarded to Mr. Downing include ones from the Toronto Arts Council, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Canada Council for the Arts.

Channel (1994)

World Premiere
Eric Harvie Theatre
July 13, 14, 15 & 16, 1994

Choreography: Michael Downing
Music: Michael Nyman String Quartet #2
Lighting Design: Harry Frehner
Costumes: Denise Barrett and Michael Downing
Set Design and Text: Michael Downing

Sarah Murphy-Dyson and Walter Wittich in Channel.
Photo: Don Lee