Q&A with PNB School’s Managing Director Lauri-Michelle Houk

PNB School’s new Managing Director Lauri-Michelle Houk is off to a fabulous start as we kick off the new school year. Coming most recently from San Diego, where she served as Founder, Director, and CEO of the San Elijo Dance and Music Academy, Houk is also a former soloist with PNB and PNB School faculty member. Eager to get to know Mrs. Houk? Check out this quick Q&A to learn her teaching approach, her favorite Seattle spot, and more!

What inspires you?

Ms. Houk: Music. When I was a very young dancer my dad would take me to a record store on the weekends and let me pick out one album. I had a book at the time about New York City Ballet that listed all of the composers of the Balanchine Ballets. I collected all of the albums from the list and would listen to them over and over again. When I became a professional dancer it was so magical to dance to these incredible masterpieces that I had grown up listening to in my childhood bedroom.

Can you share a favorite memory from your time dancing professionally?

Ms. Houk: I have so many, but the one that stands out the most was dancing the principal role in Rubies with PNB on opening night at the Kennedy Center. I’ll never forget preparing in 4th on pointe behind the curtain, nervously holding hands in position with my friends while we waited. I remember every detail about it: the noise of the curtain when it opened, the reveal of the renowned theater in front of us filled with people, the sound my costume made heavy with jewels, and, of course, the first notes of Stravinsky’s brilliant music booming up from the pit.

What’s your approach to teaching dance?

Ms. Houk: To instill the love of dance and music in each and every student.

What do you hope to bring forward from your experience as Director at San Elijo Dance and Music Academy to PNB School?

Ms. Houk: Community and Relationships. Building my school in San Diego from the ground up taught me that there is power, support, and love in a community of people who spend many years together raising families and sharing our hopes and dreams for our children.

What advice would you give to your 13-year-old self?

Ms. Houk: That dreams do come true and that there is a place in the wide world of dance and music for all who seek it.

What are you most looking forward to as you start your new role as PNB School’s Managing Director?

Ms. Houk: Getting to know the students and families is definitely number one, and of course having the honor to help lead one of the top ballet schools in the nation into an exciting future.

As you return to Seattle, is there a local spot you can’t wait to visit again?

Ms. Houk: My favorite spot was always Kidd Valley on Queen Anne, I’m still looking for a new one!

What are you reading/watching/listening to these days?

Ms. Houk: I like reading anything autobiographical, people’s life paths and stories endlessly fascinate me. I have been listening to a lot of Schubert lately, especially the String Quartets. American Contemporary Ballet performed a piece that really moved me to Schubert’s String Quartet No.14, and that took me down a long exploration of his music. I have watched the series Succession about 5 times, mostly because I think the writing is brilliant, but also because I fall asleep after about 15 minutes, so it has taken me that many times to actually see each episode in its entirety.