Born in France, Mickael Marso Riviere has been based in the UK for over 19 years and has, in that time, established himself as a major force in both the contemporary dance, and Breakin' (Breakdance) worlds. Marso trained at the Titus and Elena Pomsar Ballet school (FR), Rosella Hightower International Dance Schools (FR) , and The Circus Space (UK), he joined the New Millennium Company (London) in 1999 working and performing contemporary circus and aerial skills for "The Story of OVO" by Mark Fisher and Micha Bergese with Music by Peter Gabriel at the Millennium Dome's main arena. During his time in London, Marso discovered the local Hip Hop scene and started learning Breakin', some of his teachers include Banksy (Scarecrows crew), Drew and Paula (Foundationz Crew), Joel Sebastian, Bboy Mouse, Ken Swift and Poe One.
Relocating to Birmingham in 2001, he joins the Capoeira Norte School led by Paul Sadot, Professor and artistic director of the maverick Urban Expansions company (2001-2006). Capoeira becomes an essential part of Marso's training, and through Paul's company he performs Capoeira demos and Breakin shows at numerous events, including the Batizado Urban Dance Festivals, The Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony (2002) and the Reebok promo campaign.
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With the help of the Prince's Trust Marso launches Birmingham’s first professional Streetdance agency: Bboy's Attic (2004-present); Specialising in Streetdance styles and focusing on growing Hip Hop culture in the West Midlands, the agency has led classes, events, community projects and performances internationally.
In 2005, Marso joins Urban Classicism for the "Verse and Verses" tour under the direction of Robert Hylton, the work featured artists DJ/producer Billy Biznizz and guest choreographer Pervez (Live2Break). Robert Hylton's vision and concepts of movement have had an important influence on Marso's creative journey.
Supported by Dancexchange and Arts Council England, Company Decalage emerges and starts touring Marso's first dance works, "Decalage" and "See" , the company makes its debut in London for Resolution! at The Place(2006) and with additional support from the Choreodrome (2007), The Place, the company performs Appel at British Dance Edition in Liverpool in 2008, the piece made in collaboration with Navala Chaudhari and Musician Jason Kalidas becomes the signature work of the company leading up to several commissions, residencies and touring for Marso, including Breakin Point (The Place Prize 2008, Eteins Pas 2009, Dancexchange associate artist scheme (2009-2016), La Porte 2010, Dance3 National Tour (2010), a European development support by Birmingham Big City Culture, Citeaux 2011, SwimMorphosis, BBC Proms, Mandala and MaxaMorphosis (2012), Breakin' Convention 10yrs with Consumorphosis (2013), The Duet Project in collaboration with Salah El Brogy and Guy Nader ( HFTTOS & Matches 2014), NutBreaker (WIP La Villette & CCN Creteil Cie Kafig 2014/2015), Hokiri for Carlos Acosta Danza Companie 2016.
Strongly involved in the Hip Hop scene as a Bboy and event producer, Marso teams up with one of the UK’s leading Breakin’ Crews MDK in 2007, together they redefine the Midland's level in Breakin by becoming a leading crew in the UK, winning numerous competitions. in 2012 Marso visits the Bronx NYC and later become president for The Bronx Boys Rockin' Crew UK Chapter, TBB1975 is one of the pioneering Breakin’ crews from New York and has chapter families all over the world..
His determination in collaborating across art forms and genres has led him to work with artists as diverse as The Bolshoi Ballet/Theatre, hip-hop theatre artists Jonzi D, Lianhart, world leading Bboy Team Project Soul (Korea), Birmingham Royal ballet, Damien Jalet, Dancefest, Dance4, Channel 4, Breakin Convention, Sampad, Dance4, Micha Bergese, Sadlers Wells, Mercat de les Flors, La Caldera, The Aurora Orchestra, RedBull, IDFB, Hussein Chalayan, Ballet Boyz, WIP La Villette, and Director Danny Boyle.
Nominated for the Place Prize in 2006, and a part in The Place’ Choreodrome and TouchWood in 2007, he developed Appel in collaboration with Navala Chaudhari and Jason Kalidas, the piece toured nationally as part of Dance3 National Dance Network and to 9 different countries including Spain for 3 years. 2008 saw commissioned work for the semi finals of the Place Prize with Breaking Point and his Solo Eteins Pas won 3rd prize at the international Masdanza15 choreography competition and 1st prize at Barcelona International Hop13.
Mickael has presented work at British Dance Edition, The BBC Proms, The Place, MasDanza Spain, the Queen's Jubilee, the London Aurora Orchestra (Maxamorphosis), Sampad (Mandala) as part of the cultural olympiad and Big Dance 2012 (SwimMorphosis) ConsuMorphosis at Breakin’ Convention 2013,and Eden Court, Inverness, Matches and Halfway to the Other Side at International Dance Festival Birmingham 2014, DanceXchange, British Dance Edition and Resolution! - The Place, London.
Mickael is in demand as an independent choreographer and has established an international reputation for his unique blend of contemporary and hip-hop dance works, working on high profile collaborations and with broad artistic visions has led him to successfully deliver eclectic, refreshing, groundbreaking work in the UK and abroad.
