"This is a Lie" is a photography and dance concept conceived and created by Sam Aslanian (Photographer) and Michelle Thompson Ulerich (Choreographer). "This is a Lie" was one of two worlds Sam and Michelle created for Sam to photograph. Sam's photographs are a much fragmented and abstracted view of this dance, and most recently a selection of photographs were shown in Hollywood at Visual Artists Group. The photographs are not traditional dance poses or forms. Sam and Michelle were working towards something more raw, abstracted, and filled with emotion and movement. Also during the process each one of the three couples were filmed during their multiple runs of the duet, and it was during this time that Tom Andre captured this movement on film. Ellie Aslanian then took the large amount of footage (much of which Sam was in), and edited and created this incredible film. Music is by The Cure.

• Choreography by Michelle Thompson
• Music by Joshua Piper
• Performed by Meghan Phillips at SUNY Purchase

"I am inspired by the perseverance of the human spirit and the ability to continue. This is an exploration of what is lost at the end of each day and the ability to look forward to the next day." -Michelle Thompson Ulerich

I submitted for Avant Chamber Ballet's Women's Choreography Project, and I was chosen as the winner. I traveled to Dallas in March 2018 to create a new work on the dancers. The piece, "Day Vignettes", was performed in April 2018 at Moody Performance Hall in Dallas with live accompaniment. I choreographed a contemporary pointe piece for 10 women with live music by Arvo Part and Catherine Davis. Thank you to Katie Puder and Avant Chamber Ballet for this incredible experience.

Pointe Magazine featured this effort.

I was commissioned by Juliet Mazzola to create her Senior piece for Purchase college. I created a contemporary ballet duet between Juliet and Quaba Ernest with music by Damien Simon. Damien is long time collaborator of mine, and is an Alumnus of the Purchase Music school. Damien traveled from Florida to perform the guitar role in his piece, "Color Green", and we collaborated with students from the music school.

• Choreography by Michelle Thompson
• Danced by Juliet Mazzola & Quaba Ernest
• Music by Damien Simon
• Musicians were Cami Sylvia, Jasmine Yanase, Alexander Moy, Nicco Mazziotto, Matthew Peralta
• Lighting by Victor Catano
• Special Thanks to Nelly van Bommel (Conservatory of Dance) & Deborah Buck (Music School)

Illusory Impressions presented A Study In Release at Jennifer's Gardens in Austin, TX November 2017. The piece was a site specific, immersive performance with live music and dance created by Michelle Thompson Ulerich and Catherine Davis. Oliver Endahl (Photographer & Videographer of Ballet Zaida) took an inside look at the process and created this video.