Biography

About Helena

Helena Michalski is a native of Worthington, OH. Raised in a family that holds a great value for music, art, and dance, from a young age Helena was involved in the arts. Through Saturday morning art classes, rec-center ballet and tap classes, seeing shows at the Ohio Theatre with her family, Helena’s childhood was immersed with experiences that gave her a deep appreciation for the arts.

When she was 10 years old, she began taking classes at Columbus City Ballet School where she trained with Shir lee Wu for 12 years. The classical ballet training Helena received from Wu included six plus years of advanced point training, an extensive amount of experience with classical ballet repertoire including Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, and Paquita, and developed a deep understanding and admiration for Russian ballet technique. Additionally, in her time with Shir Lee, Helena competed in YAGP four times, traveled, and studied with ballet companies in Cincinnati, OH, Sarasota FL, and Austin TX, and took master classes from professionals in the field such as Gillian Murphy.

During her youth, Helena broadened her passion for dance into musical theater, performing in her first musical, The Music Man, at age 13. Throughout high school Helena nurtured her love for musical theater as an active member of her school’s choir and theater program. Performing in a multitude of musicals such as Oliver!, Guys and Dolls, as well as Legally Blonde.

Helena is currently working on her BFA in dance at The Ohio State University with a minor in musical theatre. In the summer of 2023, Helena was honored to attend Student Leadership Institute with Urban Bush Women. The experience gave her intimate experience with anti-racist organizations and sparked her interest in studying anti-racism in the United States. She hopes to develop a combination between the anti-racist research she has done and her extensive technical training. Also, after choreographing her first musical in 2021, Helena is interested in choreographing musical theater in schools. After she graduates Helena plans to pursue a career in musical theater performance in New York.