Michael began his professional career in musical theatre & dance at age 19 in his hometown in local Civic Light Opera shows landing featured roles in Gypsy, A Chorus Line, Wizard of Oz, Sugar Babies and Once Upon a Mattress. By his 21st birthday, he was playing Doody in Grease Off Broadway in New York City. He went on to earn his BA in Musical Theatre and an AAS degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology NYC.
After finishing University, Michael went on to perform Regional Theatre in Los Angeles, including West Side Story, 20th Anniversary World tour of A Chorus Line culminating at the Seoul Korea Opera House then touring with the European cast of Chippendales.
Michael began his Ballroom Dance training in Ten Dance in his late 30s and was National amateur Vice Champion Ten Dance and Gentlemen’s Ballroom Champion before he went professional and relocated to South Florida. He has proudly achieved Fred Astaire Top Specialist for the year, Top lessons taught for the year and Top Teacher at a Regional Competition in Fred Astaire, having been a professional dance instructor at multiple locations spanning the South Florida region.
Michael went on to win the grueling World Dancesport Series Top Rising Star Teacher 2020, winning Top Teacher and Top Studio awards at competitions all over North America on the way. His students were Vice Champion in World 9 Dance USDC, Milano Dance Festival Rhythm Championship Gold Medalist, and World Dancesport Series Champion in all six categories. He was also invited to perform at the musical debut of Mad Hatter, the musical, in Montreal, with one of his professional partners as the featured dancers.
