Brent Whitney

Artistic Director/Founder

Brent currently resides in New York City and Traverse City, MI, where he serves as the Artistic Director of the Traverse City Dance Project, works as a choreographer, and operates his practice, The Art of Massage. Originally from Traverse City, he began his early dance training at Dance Arts Academy and Ballet Etc. It became evident around the age of nine that dance was his passion. He danced professionally with the Milwaukee Ballet Company and then fulfilled a lifelong dream of moving to NYC to pursue dance. During his eleven years in NYC, he performed with Judith Fugate’s Ballet NY, BalletX, Connecticut Ballet, New York Theatre Ballet, San Diego Opera, Dance Key West, Lustig Dance Theatre, and the Oakland Ballet. In 2012, he and Jennifer McQuiston Lott founded the Traverse City Dance Project to bring professional dance to his hometown and create opportunities for dancers, choreographers, and musicians. He has collaborated with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra as well as Parallel 45, serving as the choreographer for productions such as "You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown," "The Sound of Music," and "Hair." Brent holds a Bachelor of Arts from Western Michigan University. Additionally, he is a licensed massage therapist and holds an associate's degree in occupational health from The Swedish Institute. He specializes in athletic rehabilitation and recovery massage, with clients from American Ballet Theater, New York City Ballet, Martha Graham, and Ballet Hispanico.