By CASEY NEILL
DANDENONG born and raised Michelle Cursio-Serret is taking centre stage in a major theatrical production.
The singer lived in Dandenong South for most of her childhood and attended St John’s Regional College in Dandenong.
She’s now the vocalist for the Melbourne leg of Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Human and Horse.
Michelle will perform under the white big top at The Docklands from 24 July to 18 August as more than 40 horses and 30 riders, acrobats, aerialists, dancers and musicians interact in front of a constantly-changing 60 metre-wide digital projection screen.
This week she told the Star that while she’d been singing all her life, she didn’t take her talent to the stage until her teens.
“I enjoyed my childhood in Dandenong,” she said.
“My school had a great music program with a talent quest every year and a musical production.
“As I got into my late teens I ventured out into the city and started doing some gigs.”
Michelle was a finalist on The Voice last year and has been a permanent lead vocalist on Dancing with the Stars since 2004.
She said the show was to return later this year and she looked forward to getting back behind the microphone as celebrities showed off their ballroom skills.
Her family still lives in Dandenong and is excited to see her in one of the largest travelling theatrical productions in the world.
“I perform some original beautiful music,” she said.
“All the songs are in French and Spanish.
“I have performed in Spanish before and my family speaks French so that part wasn’t very hard.
“I’m really excited that I’m going to be part of such a big show.”