After years of exclusively showcasing his awkward and embarrassingly literal dancing (really more like charades meets muscle spasms with a splash of dry heaving) in the privacy of his tiny bedroom in Brooklyn, NY, Michael (or Mikey – or Patingles – or Pringles, depending on who you ask) finally decided to give the stage a go when he joined BlackOut Step Team at the start of his freshman year at Tufts University. From there, he began performing and choreographing for Tufts’ Spirit of Color Dance Troupe and eventually found a second family as a member of Static Noyze Dance Company. Within his first three months on SNDC he had the privilege of performing in Carnival NY, and within a year, Michael became artistic director alongside some of his biggest inspirations: Suzette Sagisi, Enrique Novales, and Peter Navarro. During their tenure, the team enjoyed a very successful run in the east coast competitive circuit, placing first at BU Fusion’s Elements X, second at FR3SH Dance Company’s Main Event II, and second at World of Dance NY 2010. And when Static Noyze 6 auditioned for America’s Best Dance Crew, Michael even had the honor of collaborating with Suzette on a piece that was included in their audition routine. Michael’s hard work and good fortune have also afforded him opportunities to train and perform with WRUSH Dance Crew, FR3SH Dance Company, UFP Dance Company, Bo Belza's Ladies With Guns, Adrian Causing's 'LES Project', and East Coast Dance Project as well as in showcases such as Funkanometry SF’s Sockhop, Sybarite, and Rhapsody James’ Sirens After Dark. Most recently, Michael served as an artistic director for EPIC Motion Dance Company before joining Funkanometry NY's first season as a company dancer. When it comes to dance, Michael strives for honesty and versatility in his movement and believes there is something to learn from everyone regardless of level.
