Michael grew up in Santa Fe listening to the Latin rhythms of his father’s flamenco troupe. During Spanish language studies in Cuzco, Peru, he discovered salsa dance, and when he returned to the U.S. he joined every salsa class he could find. Desiring a deeper understanding of the dance, Michael traveled to Havana Cuba to study with Yaykel Parez. He studied for the next several years, traveling to Ecuador, Mexico and all over the USA and has trained and performed with world champions, Omar Muños, Johnny Vazquez, and trained with Jonathan Ibarra, Jhon Narvarez, Adrian and Anita, Alien Ramerez and many others. He has performed and competed throughout the Northwest. He and his dance partner Dana Sindona finished in the top 5 at the 2011 and 2012 Gemini Salsa championships, and he has won multiple Jack and Jill contests in Seattle. In March of 2012,13,14,15,16,17 and 19 Michael trained and competed in the Seattle Dances benefit. Winning a mirrorball trophy in 2014, 2016 and 2019. Michael opened Sueños de Salsa in 2012 and expanded the studio in 2016 to our current LCW location.