flesh

This two-woman dance project utilizes flesh as the medium through which they create art. Co-founded by Vicki McWilliams, originally from Phoenix, Arizona and Montana Michniak, originally from Dallas, Texas. We are dedicated to promoting and supporting the artistic community in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by sharing the vast beauty and capabilities of the female body. Montana received her formal dance training from Next Step Dance and Performing Arts Center under the direction of Michelle Stafford, and Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts under the direction of Lily Weiss. She danced with Booker. T Washington’s Repertory Dance Company I for three years before furthering her education at the university level. She was a 2013 Young Arts Finalist in Modern Dance where she received the silver award, and was nominated as a 2013 Presidential Scholar in the Arts. Montana studied and received her B.F.A in dance at Point Park University under the direction of Ruben Graciani, and graduated in April 2016. Montana held the title of First Female Apprentice with Parsons Dance, during the 2015-2016 season, under the direction of David Parsons in New York City. She has performed works choreographed by Lar Lubovitch, Ronan Koresh, Garfield Lemonius, Lindsay Fisher-Viatori, Kyle Abraham, Dwight Roden, Takehiro Ueyama, and David Parsons. Currently, Montana works as a freelance dancer, teacher and choreographer in Pittsburgh and has been a part of numerous professional performances around the surrounding areas. Victoria McWilliams is a graduate of Point Park University where she earned her BFA degree-studying dance. Previous to attending school she trained at the Tempe Dance Academy in Phoenix Arizona, there she studied many styles of dance including, ballet, contemporary, point, jazz, tap, and acrobatics. Prior to school Victoria also trained and competed as a level 10 gymnast. Since starting her studies at Point Park University she has had the opportunity to perform in many works by various artists including, Dwight Rhoden, Ronen Koresh, Christopher Huggins, Garfield Lemonius, Ron Tassone, and more. At school she also had the opportunity to choreograph a work in Point Parks annual Student Choreography Project. Victoria has trained at summer intensive programs such as Alonzo King Lines Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and Dance Italia. Victoria has danced as a company member with Texture Contemporary Ballet Company in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania from 2015-2016. After graduating from Point Park, Victoria spent a year in Chicago Illinois dancing in project based shows that included works by Alanzo king Lines ballet dancer James Gowan. Victoria has now returned to Pittsburgh to pursue starting up her own project based company in the city.