Filipina NY Knicks director takes 'family first' approach with dancers
loQal – 05 July 2011
By Anna Valmero
MAKATI CITY, METRO MANILA— For Michelle Harris, the “family first” values she learned from her Filipino family is part of her work ethic as director for entertainment marketing of the NBA's New York Knicks.
“Coming from a big Filipino family, I apply the value of family first daily,” Harris said via email.
Harris, whose family hails from Balayan, Batangas, visited the country last weekend together with the NY Knicks dancers as special guests of the NBA Philippines 3-on-3 tournament.
Every NBA season, Harris works with over 70 performers who passed auditions. In 2005, she was appointed to oversee day-to-day operations for all dance and performance teams of the Knicks. She was promoted to director for Knicks Entertainment in 2007.
“It is important for everyone to play their part on the team and to achieve one goal - entertain Knicks fans.
By taking a “family” approach, we support our entertainers’ needs and they support each other to stay motivated and have fun throughout the long season.”
“That way, we are able to put on the best show every single night,” said Harris, who also manages the team's dancers.
Harris also tries to impart the value of hard work to her performers and how to adapt to stressful situations.
““Nothing comes easy.” For me, hard work means more than raw talent,” said Harris, who persistently tried several times to get into the New York University's Stern School of Business and auditioned thrice to become a Knicks City Dancer.
“I'’m extremely proud to have worked my way up the ladder to a dream job, which I am extremely passionate about. Mostly, I feel fortunate to be able to help instill that drive, work ethic and appreciation in young performers everyday.”
Before getting promoted as manager, Harris was a Knicks City Dancer herself from 2000 to 2005 and was team captain for three seasons.
One of the most memorable moments in her job was when the Knicks City Dancers performed to “Mare” by The Black Eyed Pea’s “Mare” during a recent Asian Heritage Night.
She lauded the dancers' performance, which became even more meaningful personally since one of the singers of the music group is another Filipino, apl.de.ap from Pampanga.
Harris said they also like to feature local Filipino talent in New York by selecting them firsthand to lead the national anthem or perform ballroom dancing during the halftime break.
“My proudest moments are when Knicks fans give them a standing ovation, not only because they’'re Filipino, but because they truly are talented!”
Her tip for aspiring Filipino dancers who want to join NBA?
“As a performer in the NBA, there is more to this job than your dance talent. You are representing the organization so you have to be able to shine in any audition as the “complete package,” she said.
Emphasizing one's educational background, interesting life experiences and a positive, healthy lifestyle during the interview portion is key, she added. Once selected, she said dancers can travel all over the world to perform and give back to the community through partner foundations and organizations.
“So dancers must be well-spoken, polished ambassadors for the company,” Harris said.
(Photo courtesy of MSG Photos)
MAKATI CITY, METRO MANILA— For Michelle Harris, the “family first” values she learned from her Filipino family is part of her work ethic as director for entertainment marketing of the NBA's New York Knicks.
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Harris, whose family hails from Balayan, Batangas, visited the country last weekend together with the NY Knicks dancers as special guests of the NBA Philippines 3-on-3 tournament.
Every NBA season, Harris works with over 70 performers who passed auditions. In 2005, she was appointed to oversee day-to-day operations for all dance and performance teams of the Knicks. She was promoted to director for Knicks Entertainment in 2007.
“It is important for everyone to play their part on the team and to achieve one goal - entertain Knicks fans.
By taking a “family” approach, we support our entertainers’ needs and they support each other to stay motivated and have fun throughout the long season.”
“That way, we are able to put on the best show every single night,” said Harris, who also manages the team's dancers.
Harris also tries to impart the value of hard work to her performers and how to adapt to stressful situations.
““Nothing comes easy.” For me, hard work means more than raw talent,” said Harris, who persistently tried several times to get into the New York University's Stern School of Business and auditioned thrice to become a Knicks City Dancer.
“I'’m extremely proud to have worked my way up the ladder to a dream job, which I am extremely passionate about. Mostly, I feel fortunate to be able to help instill that drive, work ethic and appreciation in young performers everyday.”
Before getting promoted as manager, Harris was a Knicks City Dancer herself from 2000 to 2005 and was team captain for three seasons.
One of the most memorable moments in her job was when the Knicks City Dancers performed to “Mare” by The Black Eyed Pea’s “Mare” during a recent Asian Heritage Night.
She lauded the dancers' performance, which became even more meaningful personally since one of the singers of the music group is another Filipino, apl.de.ap from Pampanga.
Harris said they also like to feature local Filipino talent in New York by selecting them firsthand to lead the national anthem or perform ballroom dancing during the halftime break.
“My proudest moments are when Knicks fans give them a standing ovation, not only because they’'re Filipino, but because they truly are talented!”
Her tip for aspiring Filipino dancers who want to join NBA?
“As a performer in the NBA, there is more to this job than your dance talent. You are representing the organization so you have to be able to shine in any audition as the “complete package,” she said.
Emphasizing one's educational background, interesting life experiences and a positive, healthy lifestyle during the interview portion is key, she added. Once selected, she said dancers can travel all over the world to perform and give back to the community through partner foundations and organizations.
“So dancers must be well-spoken, polished ambassadors for the company,” Harris said.
(Photo courtesy of MSG Photos)
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