IT'S TIME TO DANCE! Mandeville Ballroom :D Swing Tango Waltz Foxtrot Merengue Salsa Rumba Cha Cha Argentine West Coast Swing Hustle Dance Social Dance Swirls Northshore

Michael is a New Orleans native. He was born in the now famous 9th ward during the late 70s. His love for dance was ignited during his pre-teen years and cultivated by his first dance instructor Syrell Daniel. He studied tap, hip-hop, and modern dance for 3 years at the Syrell's school of dance in New Orleans East during the early 90s.

Although he gave up dancing to play organized sports in high school Michael never stopped loving the art of dance. He privately practiced his tap steps and used his dance training in his athletic endeavors. He lettered in basketball in high school and also ran track.

During June of 2007 Michael began taking Cuban Style salsa lessons with Armando Leduc in New Orleans. His passion for dance was re-ignited and quickly became a salsa-holic. Armando canceled his classes soon thereafter but Michael connected with Troy Anthony & Jorjet Alcocer for a private lesson through a mutual friend. Shortly after the private he began studying On1 style salsa with Juan "Chino" Fukuda.

After a few months of taking lessons from Chino Michael partnered with Tumay Tunur in November. In the months that followed Michael and Tumay worked on the fundamentals of On1 and On2 salsa dancing. He was introduced to such dancers as Juan Matos, Burju Hurtuk, Victor Perez, Ana & Joel Masicot and many more. He spent countless hours watching dance film and listening to music to improve his technique, learn new moves and develop his love for the art of salsa music and dance.

Michael began assistant-teaching with Tumay and they formed La Luna Negra. The two became very a recognizable salsa team and began teaching in various venues around the city. Michael began picking up other skills such as dj'ing, mc'ing and event planning during the 16 month long parthership. The duo was instrumental in bring down World Salsa Championship Finalist Darlin Garcia to New Orleans in January 2008 and March 2008. The duo formed a dance team in early February of 2008 and worked with the members on the fundamentals of salsa. After realizing a difference in vision, Michael and Tumay separated and Michael began New Orleans Salsa Dancers(NOSD) on April 4, 2009.

NOSD is now New Orleans' largest salsa organization with over 30 members and has helped to rapidly increase the numbers of social salsa dancers in the New Orleans during its existence. NOSD is continually committed to building a salsa community in New Orleans and has worked with the likes of Troy & Jorjet, Lee & Lisa (Semeneya) and others to help build dancers and unite people throughout the Gulf South Region. NOSD has put on 3 workshops series to date, teaches classes 5 times a week, hosts salsa socials weekly, teaches private lessons 5+ times weekly and hosts salsa parties at least once a month.

A few fun facts about Michael are that he's a computer programmer by trade, he can play both lead and bass guitar, he sings, and he is a certified mat Pilates instructor.