Mike began performing with a focus in dance at the age of 14. In 1991 he was awarded a scholarship to train in classical jazz, modern and ballet at the Giordano dance center in Evanston where he met Anida Sedala, a Cecchetti certified ballet tutor. After studying privately for a year with Anida, Mike began a process of study devoted to understanding all ballet styles and fundamentals. This process led him to take class from most ballet teachers residing in the Chicago area and various teachers that have visited Chicago.
            Mike has performed in numerous Chicago dance companies such as Instruments of Movement, Tygo Dance Project, Giordano II, and The Chicago Ballet, but his true passion is teaching.  Many Chicago dance studios and schools have welcomed him to their teaching staff as a permanent or guest faculty member, including Joel hall Dance Center, Lou Conte Dance Studio, and The Dance Center of Evanston.  He has developed a unique style and sense of line, and particularly a phenomenal method of coaching that dancers from all around the world attest to.  Extremely dedicated to his students, Mike continues to make education, good health and athleticism, experimentation and an open mind his tools for training dancers. 
            Prior to creating his  company Elements Contemporary Ballet, Mike also began to develop his skills as a contemporary choreographer.  His work has appeared in Dance Chicago, Around the Coyote Arts Festival, Joel Hall’s “Dances from the Halls”, Evanston Arts Week, and in many Chicago area dance school performances.  His biggest choreographic feat to date was the ECB inaugural concert at The Harold Washington Library Center, in which he choreographed five world premier works for the company.  He continues to choreograph new cutting edge works for ECB performances that combine the beauty of classical technique with the boldness of contemporary ideas.