Michael

Michael has been a ballroom dancer for 17 and a half years. He began dancing following graduation from Sacramento State and immediately fell in love with ballroom dancing as he found something he is passionate about.

As a dancer with Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Carmichael, Michael has participated in competitions in San Francisco, London, and everywhere in between. Michael has a goal to participate in a major competition which he likens to the “Superbowl of ballroom dance competitions” in Blackpool, England. However, he shifted focus after he had to take an 8-month break due to being diagnosed with plantar fasciitis and he lost his dance teacher to a career change. Despite these setbacks, Michael still wants to compete going forward. He understands that it takes financial resources to do so and is mindful about what he selects. Michael knows that dance is more than competitions because he experiences genuine joy from his hobby. He has opted to focus more on choreographing his own routines and performing them. Dance has brought him friendships and he loves the nickname given to him, Mr. Smooth, because he is very fluid with his movements. 

Separate from dance, Michael worked full time with PRIDE Industries for 11 years. He began  working with PRIDE as a client doing an external situational assessment as a receptionist in their Sacramento office and management liked him so much, they extended his role from two weeks to six weeks and then to full time in which he held a variety of roles. His role eventually led him to work as a Production Trainer for about four years where he trained clients on how to complete tasks for contracts they have. Essentially Michael acted as a project manager and was responsible for the performance and review of the clients working in the contracts he managed.

Currently, Michael is employed at Miller’s Ace Hardware, which opened in June of 2023 as a cashier and enjoys all the duties associated with his role. Michael finds his role very rewarding and owes his continued success to the encouragement, support, and patience he receives from management as well as his colleagues.