Michael Schumacher is a performing artist with roots in classical and modern dance. He has been a member of several groundbreaking companies, including Ballet Frankfurt, Twyla Tharp Dance, Feld Ballet, Pretty Ugly Dance Company, and Magpie Music Dance Company. As an independent artist, he has appeared in productions by Peter Sellars, William Forsythe, Dana Caspersen, Sylvie Guillem, Mark Haim, Paul Selwyn Norton, and Anouk van Dijk. Working as dancer, choreographer, and teacher, Schumacher has developed a unique approach to the discipline of improvisation. He has collaborated with many pioneering artists, includingHan Bennink, Katie Duck, Jirí Kylián, Mary Oliver, Kirstie Simson, and Alex Waterman. In 2008, Schumacher was awarded both the Gouden Zwaan and the Jirí Kylián Ring, the first dancer/choreographer ever to receive the two awards at the same time. Mr Schumacher resides in Amsterdam and gives workshops in movement analysis and improvisation worldwide